Granita’s with Painted Chocolate Mint Leaves

Cranberry-Jalapeno Granita
2 cups Cranberry juice (cocktail)
1/3 cup Sugar, granulated
4 each Mint leaves (about ½ ounce)
1 each Jalapeno pepper, de-seeded, sliced
2 tablespoon Fresh lime juice


1. Combine first (4) ingredients in a small sauce pan. Bring to a boil.

2. Cover and remove from heat. Let stand for 15 minutes.

3. Strain cranberry mixture through a fine mesh sieve into an 11 x 7 baking dish. Discard solids.

4. Cool to room temperature. Stir in lime juice.

5. Cover and freeze for about 45 minutes.

6. Stir cranberry mixture every 45 minutes until completely frozen (about 3 hours).

7. Remove mixture from freezer.

8. Scrape entire mixture with a fork until fluffy.

9. Scoop and serve in a sherbet glass, or a martini glass.

10. Garnish with chocolate mint leaves.

Blueberry-Lime Granita
2 cups Fresh blueberries
½ cup Sugar, granulated
½ teaspoon Lime rind, grated
2 teaspoon Fresh lime juice
3 cups Lemon-lime soda, chilled


1. Process blueberries in a food processor or blender until smooth; stopping to scrape down sides.

2. Add sugar, lime rind, and lime juice. Process until well blended.

3. Pour into an 11 x 7 baking dish.

4. Stir in lemon-lime soda.

5. Cover and freeze for about 45 minutes.

6. Stir mixture every 45 minutes until completely frozen (about 3 hours).

7. Remove mixture from freezer.

8. Scrape entire mixture with a fork until fluffy.

9. Scoop and serve in a sherbet glass, or a martini glass.

10. Garnish with chocolate mint leaves.

Making Chocolate Leaves
Several large mint leaves
1/2 cup chocolate chips
1/4 teaspoon shortening

1. Wash several large mint leaves and set aside until completely dry.

2. Melt ½ cup dark chocolate chips (semi-sweet), and ¼ teaspoon shortening.

3. With a small paintbrush, brush melted chocolate in a thin layer on the under side
of each leaf.

4. Refrigerate until set, about 10 minutes.

5. Apply a second coat of melted chocolate.

6. Chill for at least 15 minutes or overnight.

7. Gently peel leaf from chocolate.
8. If leaves aren’t to be used right away, store in a cool dry place
In a covered container until needed.

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