Watermelon Granita

Presentation suggestion: shave the red granita into chilled martini glasses and top each with a shot of chilled lemon vodka.

• Ready In: 3 hrs 30 mins
• Yields: 4 cups shaved ice

Ingredients

• 6  cups watermelon, cubes
• 1⁄3 cup  superfine sugar
• 1  tablespoon lime juice
• 1  tablespoon  grenadine
• 1⁄8 teaspoon salt

Directions

1. Add all ingredients to a large blender or food processor; blend or pulse until fairly smooth (work in batches if necessary).
2. Strain through a fine-mesh sieve into a 13x 9 inch baking dish.
3. Place on the floor of the freezer.
4. Freeze for about 3 hours, stirring with a fork about every 20 minutes, until icy but smooth, with distinct ice crystals.
5. Even out the crystals and cover the pan tightly with plastic wrap.
6. The granita can be kept in the freezer for up to 2 weeks.
7. To serve, scrape the surface of the granita with a fork, rendering lots of small crystals; scoop them into cups or glasses.
8. *Spicy Watermelon Granita: add a few dashes of Tabasco sauce to the blender with the other ingredients.