Don't do as I do

I don't think I've ever had as little interest in food in all my life as I do at this moment, not even when I was an anorexic teen. Then, it was all about what I could eat that wouldn't make me fat, just at the moment it's all about what can I force myself to eat so I won't faint.

When I discovered I didn't have the motivation to drink the second mug of breakfast coffee things seemed to have reached rock bottom. I couldn't waste it, but what the hell was I going to do with it? Freezing it seemed quite a good idea, at least then it would wait until I was ready for it.

Granita is a water ice, less frothy than a sorbet and extremely easy to make, no ice cream churn or fancy custards to prepare. Any drink can be turned into a granita as long as the flavour is strong enough to survive being served as an icy slush. Coffee is a particularly appropriate option for hot weather, get your after dinner caffeine or mid-morning pick me up as a cooling scoop.

Now, I did this all wrong because frankly I don't give a damn but the basic principle is very simple. Make strong black coffee, I had about 300ml. Sweeten it. This is easiest while it's hot. If it's already cooled then you'll either have to stir like mad to get the sugar crystals to dissolve or use a simple syrup to taste. I had no simple syrup so I used dandelion - not entirely successfully, citrus and flowers don't mingle terribly well with coffee flavours. Then, add a shot of spirits. This really helps the texture, preventing the slush from turning into a solid icecube in the freezer but it's not essential. Vodka is a good flavourless choice, or if you'd like a little sophistication use a rum or brandy. I used gin. Gin is not flavourless and is not a good companion to coffee. I can live with that.

Set to freeze in a plastic container for about 1-2 hours, then remove from freezer and mash up the ice with a fork until it's all broken and frothy. Return to freezer, if you've used enough alcohol and sugar it will easily scoop when required, to be served with or without additions. If you've used too much sugar and alcohol it will never freeze but it might be fun to drink. Responsibly of course...

Coffee Granita

300ml strong black coffee
30ml spirits (vodka, rum or brandy)
Sugar or simple syrup to taste

Sweeten coffee as preferred, allow to cool.

Mix in spirits. Freeze for a couple of hours, then mash and scrape down ice crystals to an uniform texture. Return to freezer until needed.

Serve in a tall glass with a spoon and extras (creamy things, more alcohol) as required.