Alyssa Ponticello // In Good Taste

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Watermelon Granita Cocktail

runwaychef

On a hot, steamy night (or day, for that matter), I can never decide if I want to cool down with fresh fruit, a cocktail, or a frozen treat. I realized this dilemma was getting a bit out of hand when it would take me 30+ minutes to make a decision (um, hi warm drink, melted ice cream, and ruined evening), so, like most of normal society, I started combining fruit, cocktail, and frozen treat in one. First, there were these margaritas. Then recently I created these vodka-drenched granita sno-cone-wannabe drinks. Oh. Yes. I. Did. They pretty much rock my hot and humid summer world. Now my only dilemma will be deciding which of these 3 watermelon drinks I will be enjoying next. Luci's sangria looks so refreshing (and healthy, because, I mean duh, it has fruit in it!), but I can never say no to a mojito and Grace's recipe sure is calling my name. My solution to this dilemma? Give me all the watermelon drinks!

 

INGREDIENTS

FOR THE GRANITA

  • 6 cups of watermelon cubes
  • 1/3 cup condensed milk
  • Juice of 2 limes
  • 1/4 teaspoon of salt

FOR THE COCKTAIL

  • 2 ounces of vodka
  • 1 tablespoon simple syrup
  • Juice of 4 limes
  • 2 tablespoons spearmint or mint, chopped
  • Club soda

INSTRUCTIONS

  1. To make the granita: In a blender, puree the watermelon, condensed milk, salt, and juice of 2 limes. Blend until smooth.

  2. Pour into a 10x7 (you can also use a bigger or smaller pan, depending on how quickly you want it to freeze) and place it in the freezer for at least 4 hours. The condensed milk will keep it from becoming too hard so there is no need to scrape it with a fork every so often. Simply scrape the granita once it is all frozen.

  3. To assemble the cocktail: In a cocktail shaker combine the vodka, simple syrup, lime juice, and mint. Shake to combine. Pour into 2 serving glasses. Top with 2 scoops of watermelon granita, then finish with a splash of club soda. Drink immediately.

NOTES

  • The drink portion of this recipe makes enough for 2 cocktails, however, the granita recipe makes enough for 4-6 cocktails (deepening on how much taste testing you do on the side!).