Editor's note: The recipe and introductory text below are from David Lebovitz's The Perfect Scoop: Ice Creams, Sorbets, Granitas, and Sweet Accompaniments. To read Epicurious's review of the cookbook, go to Summer Cooking Guides.

　　This is the perfect chocolate sorbet — very rich and full of bittersweet chocolate flavor. Use a top-quality cocoa powder; it will make a huge difference. And be sure to use a large saucepan, since the mixture will bubble up as it boils.

　　

Ingredients

Makes 1 quart (1 liter)

　　2 1/4 cups (555 ml) water

　　1 cup (200 g) sugar

　　3/4 cup (75 g) unsweetened Dutch-process cocoa powder

　　Pinch of salt

　　6 ounces (170 g) bittersweet or semisweet chocolate, finely chopped

　　1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract

　　

Step 1

In a large saucepan, whisk together 1 1/2 cups (375 ml) of the water with the sugar, cocoa powder, and salt. Bring to a boil, whisking frequently. Let it boil, continuing to whisk, for 45 seconds.

　　

Step 2

Remove from the heat and stir in the chocolate until it's melted, then stir in the vanilla extract and the remaining 3/4 cup (180 ml) water. Transfer the mixture to a blender and blend for 15 seconds. Chill the mixture thoroughly, then freeze it in your ice cream maker according to the manufacturer's instructions. If the mixture has become too thick to pour into your machine, whisk it vigorously to thin it out.

　　Reprinted with permission from The Perfect Scoop: Ice Creams, Sorbets, Granitas, and Sweet Accompaniments copyright © 2011 by David Lebovitz. Published by Ten Speed Press, an imprint of Penguin Random House LLC.Buy the full book from Amazon.