Summer is about to end here in Sweden. You can already see the first signs. Maple leaves begin to shift to red, and the evenings are getting longer and colder.
It may be a bit off to publish a blog post about Italian ice, but sometimes, when the sun shines, it may still be warm and comfortable. There is still some summer left, at least in my imagination.
Besides, this is a dessert, and you eat desserts all year round, right?
Or is it a drink? Or perhaps a shot?Never mind. It tastes fabulous, and that’s all that matters.
You only need three ingredients for a traditional Granita. Water, sugar, and your desired flavor. All ingredients are mixed and frozen. The ice crystals should be small and flaky and a bit coarse. You achieve this by stirring in the mixture regularly during the freezing session. I have read somewhere that it should feel like eating snow.
The traditional Italien lemon granita contains no alcohol. This one will, but you can still let your kids enjoy it. The liquor is added just before serving. I have used lime as flavor, but you can use whatever fruit you desire. Just be sure that it goes well with the type of alcohol you are planning to add. If you are planning to add any alcohol at all, that will say.
You start by mixing equal parts water with sugar. Bring it to boil and let it cool. Add your flavoring and pour into a metal dish. You can use whatever tray or baking dish you have, but it freezes quicker in something made of metal.
Freeze the Granita for 30 to 40 minutes, or until it starts to freeze on the top and the sides of the pan. Scrape the partially frozen parts and break them up with a fork. Repeat every half hour during the next three to four hours. That’s it. Now you are ready with the Granita.
Pour your preferred liquor in a small glass and top with granita. I chose rum with a pinch of muscovado sugar. Decorate with some fancy garnish and sit down and enjoy. You will love it, I promise. Even if it’s a typical summer drink and fall is staring at you through the window. Keep in mind what some hard core BBQ fans are saying here in Sweden. BBQ tastes best in winter. But I have to admit that they are a bit weird.
Lime Granita with rum
Ingredients
- 1 1/4 cup sugar
- 1 1/4 cup water
- Juice from 4 limes
- 3 oz rum (or more)
- 3 teaspoon muscovado sugar
Instructions
- Mix sugar and water and bring to boil in a pot and stir until all sugar has dissolved. Let the mixture cool.
- Add lime juice, mix well and pour the mixture into a shallow metal baking dish or tray. Let it freeze for 1 hour. Scrape the partially frozen parts and break them up with a fork. Repeat every half hour during the next three to four hours.
- Mix rum with musovadosuger. Divide the mixture into 4 glasses. Fill up with Granita. Garnish with some lime zest.