Lemon granita with basil

Ingredients:

• 1 cup of sugar
• 2 cups loosely packed fresh basil leaves, plus small leaves for serving
• 1/3 cup freshly squeezed lemon juice (2 - 3 lemons)
• 1/4 cup vodka (optional)

Preparation:

1. In a medium saucepan, combine sugar with 3 cups of water. Heat the mixture over medium heat, stirring until the sugar is completely dissolved. Remove from heat and cool to room temperature.
2. Add basil to the sugar syrup and crush the leaves with a wooden spoon. Let it steep for 1 hour. Strain the mixture into a 22x32 cm glass baking dish (discard the basil). Add lemon juice and vodka, if using.
3. Place in the freezer for about 2 hours, until the mixture begins to set. Scrape the granita with a fork every 30 minutes until small ice crystals form, about 1 more hour.
4. Serve the granita in chilled glasses, garnished with small basil leaves, mushroom caps on skewers.