Influenza RX Sorbet

"Our flu-season fix: proven to clear nasal passages, ease a sore throat, and soothe the body."

When I came across this introduction to Jeni's Influenza RX Sorbet, I immediately got up to make it. Even with stuffy nasal passages, a sore throat, a tired body, and an aching head. I haven't been given a prescription that included ice cream since I had my tonsils removed in the third grade and it was a promise to good to pass up.

This frozen treat tastes like sunshine in a bowl.

While the cool sorbet certainly is refreshing, its ingredients have natural healing properties as well. Jeni based it on her family's home remedy of a mug of hot whiskey, honey and lemon juice. The ingredients are here to heal first, but also taste delicious. Lemon and orange juice are full of vitamin C. Ginger and cayenne clear nasal passages. Additionally, ginger and cayenne are natural antiseptics. Honey and bourbon have antiseptic properties too. Honey and liquid pectin moisten a dry throat. Simple ingredients that harness great power.

The sorbet comes together in just a few minutes, and within a few hours you can be on your way to feeling better!

Influenza RX Sorbet

Jeni's Splendid Ice Creams at Home, Jeni Britton Bauer

2 cups fresh orange juice (from 5 to 6 oranges)

1/3 cup fresh lemon juice (from about 2 lemons)

2/3 cup sugar

1/3 cup honey

1/4 teaspoon powdered ginger

One 3-ounce packet liquid pectin

1/4 teaspoon cayenne

2 t 4 tablespoons Maker's Mark bourbon (optional)

Combine the orange and lemon juices, sugar, honey, and ginger in a medium saucepan and bring to a boil, stirring to dissolve the sugar. Remove from the heat.

Add the pectin, cayenne, and bourbon, if using. Pour into a bowl, cover, and refrigerate until cold.

Freeze the sorbet just until it is the consistency of very softly whipped cream (You can eat it now, if you wish; otherwise, proceed as directed.)

Pack the sorbet into a storage container, press a sheet of parchment directly against the surface, and seal with an airtight lid. Freeze in the coldest part of your freezer until firm, at least 4 hours.