Chocolate Sorbet for Clear Liquid Diet

Enjoy a sweet and refreshing chocolate sorbet perfect for a clear liquid diet. Learn this easy recipe that’s both indulgent and colonoscopy prep-friendly.

For anyone on a Clear Liquid Diet preparing for colonoscopy, one of the most common food questions is whether you can eat chocolate.

When we’re feeling distressed or anxious, chocolate is one of those treats that we turn to, to help bring us down to base level and relax. Therefore, it’s not surprising that we might experience cravings for chocolate while we’re preparing for a colonoscopy.

The general advice from doctors, including from Dr Akintomiwa Akinnimi here on Clear Colon Diet, is that chocolate is not allowed on a clear liquid diet.

The reason for this ultimately comes down to the fact that chocolate contains solids and milk. Whether dairy or dairy-free, milk is not allowed because it’s not transparent. It also contains lots of cocoa solids and fat, which can make the procedure more difficult to carry out.

However, cacao itself does not contain milk and is not necessarily high in fat. With this in mind, I have spent the past few months working out how to make a chocolate dessert that is also suitable for a clear liquid diet. After some unsuccessful trial runs, here it is finally – a clear liquid diet friendly chocolate sorbet.

Is Chocolate Sorbet Allowed on a Clear Liquid Diet?

Chocolate ice cream and gelato are generally not permitted on a clear liquid diet because they contain milk.

Sorbet, on the other hand, when made to ensure that the base syrup doesn’t contain solids (eg cocoa powder), milk or excess fats, can be suitable for colonoscopy prep. Most recipes for chocolate sorbet, however, use at least one of these off-limits ingredients. This recipe does not.

In this recipe, we have bent the rules by using cocoa extract instead of cocoa powder, and boosted the flavor with black coffee (an optional addition). This bypasses the need to use cocoa powder (a solid) or chocolate, which are not allowed on a clear liquid diet.

Chocolate Sorbet for Clear Liquid Diet Colonoscopy Prep

Key Ingredients in the Chocolate Sorbet

Cocoa Extract

Food grade cocoa extract (aka cacao extract) is an alcohol-based flavoring. If you’re concerned about alcohol, since alcohol is not permitted on a clear liquid diet and will cause problems with the sorbet setting solid, don’t worry. We’ll boil the alcohol off, so you are left with the delicious cacao flavor only.

Cocoa extract is not easily found in supermarkets, but you can find it online from specialty gourmet stores. Make sure to find one that doesn’t contain milk or actual chocolate. You could also use artificial chocolate flavor essences, but the flavor won’t be as nice as the real extract.

Do not use coffee syrup as a substitute for alcohol-based extract. These are sugar syrups, not alcohol-based extracts. I tested this, but the liquid sugar base in these syrups mean that the sorbet will not set solid. It will remain soft and slushy – if this doesn’t bother you, however, feel free to go ahead.

How to Make Your Own Cocoa Extract:

If you’re planning a few months in advance, you can make your own cocoa extract at home using cocoa nibs and vodka. Place cocoa nibs in a jar, then cover with vodka until the level of vodka is about 2cm above the nibs. Let the jar sit in a cool, dark place (such as your liquor cabinet) for about 3 months, shaking it every now and then. Strain off the nibs, and keep the vodka – voila, cocoa extract! A detailed recipe is here.

Black Coffee

Coffee is an optional addition to this sorbet, to intensify the flavor. Without it, your chocolate sorbet will be more delicate in flavor. If you decide not to use it, simply substitute the coffee with water.

Clear Liquid Diet Chocolate Sorbet – Cooking Method

Cooking Time: 15min + cooling and freezing time (4+ hours). Serves: 3.

Ingredients:

• 1/2 cup cacao nibs
• 45ml (1.5 fl oz) cocoa extract (alcohol-based)
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 1/2 cup white sugar
• 2/3 cup hot black coffee (or hot water)
• 2/3 cup water

Part 1: Preparing the Liquid Base

• Place cacao nibs, cocoa extract and vanilla extract in a small saucepan or saucepot. Pour in the water.
• Bring to a boil, and allow the liquid to boil rapidly for 3-4 minutes. Simmering is required to evaporate-off alcohol in the extracts.
• Turn off the heat. Place a lid on the pot, and allow it to cool to room temperature. This time will allow the cacao nibs to infuse the liquid.
• In the meantime, in a bowl or another pot, combine the hot coffee (or hot water) and sugar. Stir until the sugar has fully dissolved. Set aside to cool to room temperature.

Part 2: Making the Chocolate Sorbet

When both liquid mixtures have cooled to room temperature, you are ready to move onto making the clear liquid diet chocolate sorbet.

• Strain the cocoa liquid into a jug or bowl (discard cacao nibs).
• Pour the cooled coffee-sugar mixture into the cocoa liquid, and stir well. This is the sorbet syrup base.
• Place the syrup into your ice cream maker, and churn according to machine directions. If you don’t have an ice cream maker, refer to the instructions below.

How to churn the chocolate sorbet without an ice cream maker:

• Put the chocolate sorbet syrup base in the fridge until very cold.
• Move the syrup into a sturdy, freezer-safe container and freeze undisturbed for 1.5 hours. A heavy ceramic or stainless steel bowl is best, as it will hold the cold.
• Remove from freezer, and whisk the sorbet syrup to break it up and incorporate any ice crystals that have formed at the edges. Return to freezer.
• Freeze for 4 hours, continuing to mix the sorbet once an hour to break up the ice crystals. Mixing will progressively become more difficult as the sorbet solidifies, but it is a necessary step to get a nice, light texture.
• When the mixture is firm but scoop-able, stop mixing.

Storing the Sorbet

Serve immediately, or transfer into the freezer immediately for storage.

To store the sorbet, you can keep it in a feezer-safe container, or transfer into icy pop molds for more convenient enjoyment. This sorbet will last 3-5 days in the freezer. After extended periods in the freezer, it may become quite hard and more difficult to scoop.

Enjoy!

Here you have – your clear liquid diet chocolate sorbet. Now you can both satisfy your chocolate cravings and know that you still keeping to the colonoscopy prep guidelines. Enjoy!