Serves4
                    
                
                
                    
                        
                            - Active time:15 min
 
                        
                            - Start to finish:3 1/2 hr (includes freezing)
 
                        
                    
                
             
            
            
                
                
                
    
      
          
          
          
              
              
              
          
          
          
          
          
              
              
              July 2004
            
          
          
      
  
                
                
            
            
            
                This once-green granita turns white when you scrape it.
            
            
            
            
            
                
                    
                    
                    
                        
                            
                            
                            
                                
                                    
                                        - 
                                            2
                                            cups
                                            water
                                            
                                        
 
                                    
                                        - 
                                            1
                                            cup
                                            chopped fresh mint leaves
                                            
                                        
 
                                    
                                        - 
                                            1/2
                                            cup
                                            sugar
                                            
                                        
 
                                    
                                        - 
                                            2
                                            tablespoons
                                            fresh lemon juice
                                            
                                        
 
                                    
                                
                            
                         
                    
                 
            
            
            
            
            
                
                    
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Garnish:
                            
                            fresh mint leaves
                         
                    
                
            
            
            
            
                
                    
                    
                    
                        
                            
                                
                                
                                
                                    
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Bring water, mint, and sugar to a boil in a 1- to 2-quart saucepan, stirring until sugar is dissolved, then reduce heat and simmer, uncovered, 3 minutes. Add lemon juice and pour through a fine-mesh sieve, pressing hard on solids and discarding them, then cool.
                                         
                                    
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Freeze mixture in a 1 1/2- to 2-quart shallow nonreactive metal container, stirring and crushing lumps with a fork every 30 minutes, until evenly frozen, 2 to 3 hours. Scrape with a fork to lighten texture, crushing any lumps. Spoon into glasses or bowls.