Mocha Granita Recipe

Most people don't know what a Granita is - even though many have heard of or even enjoyed a Mocha Frappuccino(r) from Starbucks. Many years ago there was a small coffee shop chain here in Seattle called Torrefazione Italia. Torrefazione Italia introduced the Granita to Seattle long before Starbucks was a household name. Starbucks bought Torrefazione and changed the name of this classic iced coffee drink to Frappuccino(r). In short, a granita is a coffee and chocolate slushy topped with whipped cream. How can you go wrong?

ingredients:
6 cups double-strength freshly brewed dark roast coffee
1 cup fine sugar
4 teaspoons Pernigotti unsweetened cocoa powder, plus additional cocoa powder for garnish
1 vanilla bean
Real whipped cream

directions:
Place coffee, sugar and vanilla bean in a saucepan and heat until sugar is dissolved. Do not boil. Add cocoa and mix thoroughly. Pour into a metal bowl and cool, then freeze in an ice cream machine according to manufacturers instructions. If you want to make a "cruder" textured granita, pour the liquid into a cake pan and place pan in the freezer. As the liquid is freezing, about every 30 minutes, stir the "liquid" with a fork to break up the ice crystals into smaller pieces.

Scoop frozen liquid into a tall glass, top with whipped cream and a sprinkling of cocoa powder, and enjoy. serves 4