Mint Julep Granita for the Kentucky Derby

An Italian Dessert Treat! Frozen Mint Julep Granita for the Kentucky Derby!!

My friend Hillary over at Baking Bad Food Blog is having a Virtual Kentucky Derby Party and invited me! When I think of the Kentucky Derby I think of  big beautiful hats and plenty of Mint Julep’s. So I came up with a Mint Julep Granita, perfect for cooling you down after you have won 1st Place on your horse in the Derby! The Mint Julep Granita is made from a simple syrup infused with fresh mint, Kentucky Bourbon and  Creme de Menthe, frozen and shaved. Simple and refreshing. 3 simple ingredients: Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey, Creme De Menthe and Fresh Mint.

After freezing over night.

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Mint Julep Granita for the Kentucky Derby

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Ingredients

• 1 1/2 cups water
• 3/4 cup (lightly packed) fresh mint leaves (from about 2 small bunches)
• 1/2 cup sugar
• 3 tablespoons bourbon
• 1 tablespoon Crème de Menthe
• 1 teaspoon minced fresh mint leaves
• 4 fresh mint sprigs

Instructions

1. Combine first 3 ingredients in heavy large sauce pan. Stir over medium heat until sugar dissolves. Increase heat and bring to boil. Pour into medium bowl. Refrigerate until cold, about 2 hours.
2. Strain mint syrup through sieve set over bowl, pressing on mint leaves. Discard mint leaves. Mix bourbon, Crème de Menthe and minced mint leaves into mint syrup. Mix an additional 1/2 cup of water. Freeze until semi firm, whisking occasionally, about 3 hours. Cover and freeze until solid, at least 6 hours or overnight. Using fork, scrape surface of granita to form crystals. Scoop crystals into frozen glasses;garnish with mint sprigs, serve immediately.
3. Bon Appétit
4. August 1996

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