This is a simply delicious and deliciously efficient palate cleanser, albeit with one hell of a kick … I used to serve this Champagne & Lime granita regularly at my table, as a much needed interlude to a 5 course meal, and it went down a storm! That said, it is equally effective in cleaning the palate after drinks and hors d’oeuvres, before moving to the table, especially as it serves a second purpose of opening up the appetite.
Ingredients
First, gather your ingredients for the Champagne and Lime Granita (IMAGE 1) and proceed as follows;
YIELD: 12 TO 15 COVERS
- 1¾ cup water
- ¾ cup sugar
- Juice of one large lemon or 3 large limes
- 1 bottle of cold champagne
Method
Step one in the making of the Champagne & Lime Granita is to place the water and sugar in a pot on the stove,(STEP 1), bring to a boil and boil for 3 minutes (STEP 2). Then let it cool (STEP 3), and once cool, pour into a mixing bowl (STEP 4), add the lemon juice (STEP 5) and champagne (STEP 6) and whisk (STEP 7), and then pour it into a shallow container (STEPS 8 & 9), ideally 9 in x 6.5 in, and place in the freezer (STEP 10).
After exactly an hour, remove the tray from the freezer (STEP 11), and break up and crush the iced Champagne & lime granita with a fork (STEPS 12 & 13). Then put it back in the freezer and repeat this process twice more, at one hour intervals.
Serving the Champagne & Lime Granita
When it’s time to serve the Champagne & lime Granita, remove it from the freezer, place as much as you need in a bowl (STEP 14), and crush with a fork until it begins to melt (STEPS 15 & 16), then spoon into the shot glasses (STEPS 17 & 18), garnish with a mint leaf (STEP 19) and serve. (FINAL IMAGE)
Above: Final Image