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6 Minty Lime Granita Strawberry Cups on a white platter with fresh mint leaves in each one.
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5 from 6 votes

Minty Lime Granita Strawberry Cups

These are a delightful and refreshing, deliciously fun summer hors d'oeuvre or cocktail.
*Makes about 2 dozen
Prep Time1 hour 27 minutes
Cook Time3 minutes
Total Time1 hour 30 minutes
Course: Appetizer, Dessert, Drinks
Cuisine: Italian
Keyword: drinks for party, summer party food
Servings: 12
Calories: 29kcal

Ingredients

  • ½ cup water
  • 1 tablespoon granulated sugar
  • about 1 dozen medium-large mint leaves, plus about 2 dozen tiny mint leaves for garnish
  • ¼ cup freshly squeezed lime juice (from about 3 limes)
  • 3 tablespoons vodka (optional)
  • about 2 dozen large strawberries, washed and dried

Instructions

Make granita

  • Add the water, sugar and medium-large mint leaves to a small saucepan, place it over medium heat and cook just long enough to dissolve the sugar, about 3 minutes. Let this mixture cool to room temperature and then remove the mint leaves and discard them. Add the lime juice and vodka (if using), and stir to blend.
  • Pour the mixture into a shallow dish, cover it with plastic wrap and place it in the freezer until the edges are frozen, about 30 minutes. Scrape the ice from the edges with a fork, mixing it into the center. Repeat this scraping and mixing process every 20 minutes or so, until it has turned into tiny ice flakes. (You should almost be "chopping" as you move the ice around.) Keep this in the freezer until you're ready to use it.

Assemble

  • Slice about ¼ inch from the top and bottom of each strawberry, creating a flat top and a flat base.
  • Use a tiny melon baler, grapefruit spoon, or paring knife to scoop out about 1½ inch scoop from the top center of each strawberry -- this will serve as a "bowl" for the granita. (Be sure not to scoop all the way through, or too close to the edges!)
  • Place the prepared strawberries on their bases, on a serving plate or platter. Place in the refrigerator until you're ready to assemble.
  • Right before you're ready to serve, spoon about 1½ teaspoons of the granita into the center "bowl" you made in the top of each strawberry, and add a tiny mint leaf to them for garnish.
  • Serve immediately!

Notes

Calorie count is only an estimate.

Nutrition

Calories: 29kcal