Sugar Savvy

In the dog days of summer, few things taste better than an ice-cold treat like watermelon, ice cream or sorbet. This week, our temps are soaring to the 90s with high humidity, as Mother Nature gives us a reminder that it is still, in fact, summertime.

In the August issue of Real Simple magazine, they had taste-testers plow through 57 different brands of sorbet to come up with six they felt were the best of the best. With Ciao Bella landing in three of the six categories, you can bet they’re the brand to beat. Here goes.

Best Coconut Sorbet
Ciao Bella
While other coconut sorbets evoked suntan lotion, this one was deemed “fresh, not cloying,” thanks to the rich coconut milk and generous flakes. “Deliciously refreshing,” a tester said.
To Buy: $5 for a pint.

Best Lemon Sorbet
Sharon’s Sorbet
“Tastes like fresh-squeezed lemonade!” one tester exclaimed. “Perfect for a summer day.” Its sweetness was tempered by the right amount of tang. The soft yellow color was another plus.
To Buy: $3.60 for a pint.

Best Blood Orange Sorbet
Ciao Bella
A tester new to blood oranges pronounced the flavor “more citrusy than a regular orange.” “My tongue did a little dance,” said a panelist. Another noted the “good balance of sweet and sour.”
To Buy: $5 for a pint.

Best Mango Sorbet
Double Rainbow
Testers found the “gorgeous creamy texture” and the “killer flavor” of this mango-tangerine blend “very satisfying.” “You can really taste both fruits,” said one.
To Buy: $3.50 for a pint.

Best Raspberry Sorbet
Ciao Bella
Praised for its “intense, concentrated flavor,” this sorbet was found to be “just tart enough” and “velvety soft.” One tester said that it was “like eating whole raspberries.”
To Buy: $5 for a pint.

Best Strawberry Sorbet
Häagen-Dazs
Many testers commented on the “nice chunks of fruit” and the “true strawberry flavor.” Others liked the light consistency, which one judged “not too thick or creamy.”
To Buy: $3.60 for a pint.