Peach and Lemon Verbena Sorbet

If the peaches are very sweet, add just three-quarters of the syrup to the puree.

Martha Stewart Living, August http://www.marthastewart.com/355733/peach-and-lemon-verbena-sorbet

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Ingredients

- 2/3 cup sugar
- 4 strips lemon zest (each about 2 inches by 1/2 inch)
- 3 sprigs fresh lemon verbena
- 2 1/2 pounds ripe yellow peaches, peeled
- 2 tablespoons vodka or grappa

Put sugar and 1 1/2 cups water into a medium saucepan over medium heat. Bring to a simmer, stirring until sugar has dissolved. Add zest. Simmer 5 minutes. Remove from heat; add lemon verbena. Cover; let stand 20 minutes. Pour through a fine sieve into a bowl; discard solids. Let syrup cool completely.
Meanwhile, coarsely chop peaches, and place in a large bowl. Crush with your hands or a potato masher, then pass through a medium-mesh sieve into a bowl; discard solids (you should have at least 1 1/2 cups puree). Add cooled syrup and vodka or grappa to peach puree; stir to combine. Refrigerate until cold, at least 2 hours (up to 4 hours).
Freeze peach mixture in an ice cream maker according to manufacturer's instructions. Transfer to a chilled airtight container; freeze at least 2 hours (up to 2 weeks). Let sorbet stand at room temperature 10 minutes before serving.