CHAMPAGNE GRANITA WITH STRAWBERRIES

Champagne Granita With Strawberries image

Provided by Molly O'Neill

Categories ice creams and sorbets, dessert

Time 6h15m

Yield Six servings

Number Of Ingredients 8

Ingredients

3/4 cup, plus 2 tablespoons, sugar
6 tablespoons water
1 pint ripe strawberries, hulled and sliced in thick rounds
1 tablespoon plus 4 1/2 teaspoons fresh lemon juice
2 tablespoons thinly sliced mint leaves, plus 6 sprigs for garnish
2 tablespoons Grand Marnier (optional)
2 1/2 cups dry Champagne or other sparkling wine
1/2 cup fresh orange juice

Steps:

Mix the 3/4 cup of sugar and water in a small saucepan. Bring to a boil over medium heat and boil until the sugar dissolves, about 1 minute. Let cool. Meanwhile, in a medium-size bowl, combine the berries, 2 tablespoons of sugar, 1 tablespoon of lemon juice, sliced mint and Grand Marnier, if using. Cover and let stand for at least 2 hours.
In a shallow nonreactive pan, combine the sugar syrup, Champagne, orange juice and 4 1/2 teaspoons of lemon juice. Cover with plastic wrap and freeze for at least 6 hours.
To serve, scrape the granita with a fork into large crystals. Spoon into chilled martini or other wide-mouthed glasses. Surround with berries and garnish with mint. Serve immediately.

Nutrition Facts : @context http, Calories 113, UnsaturatedFat 0 grams, Carbohydrate 11 grams, Fat 0 grams, Fiber 1 gram, Protein 1 gram, SaturatedFat 0 grams, Sodium 6 milligrams, Sugar 7 grams