Italian Ices - A Mini Italian Holiday

How to cool off on a hot summer's night?

Enjoy an Italian ice. There is nothing as refreshing as a cup of this in any flavor. It's cooling and sophisticated without the cloying creaminess of ice cream. Ice in any form cleanses the palate of the days tastes as well as adding a pop of fresh fruity flavor. It's the perfect ending to a sticky day. Now we can see why Italians from the Alps to the Mediterranean and Adriatic beaches enjoy this cooler.

Italian ice is as old as the Republic itself. (actually much older. Italy became a unified nation in 1861). Nero first ate it when his cooks mixed ice brought from the nearby mountains and mixed it with honey and fruit syrups. Centuries later Marco Polo bought back tho e Chinese recipe for making ice which is similar to how our modern ice cream makers work. It was made in a metal tin that was surrounded by salt and ice to keep it cold and later dished out.

It was Catherine de Medici who introduced a variation of Italian ice to the French court. Upon her marriage to Henri II of France. Sorbet is an ice but the only difference is that it has a mushier consistency (think Slurpee). It's a child of the Persian sherbet or sharbat that the middle Easterners enjoyed. These were used also used as plate cleansers during the Gilded Age when courses were heavily sauced and spiced.A refreshing lemon sorbet helped to ready the taste buds for the next round of dishes.

Granita is probably the oldest form of ice and the one most popular today. It can be made with a variety of flavors from pineapple juice to coffee. It's also the easiest dessert to make for a summer party. There's really no prep time or clean up and the amount of dishes used is next to nothing.What is great about granita is that you can make it up in one or two flavors. Try a blueberry one with a lemon or a cherry with a cola one (this is a no brainer . Just freeze Coke or Pepsi). You can even serve it with a dollop of Cool Whip.

I can't let this entry go without mentioning my favorite ice place - Rita's. This chain is in almost every American town.The one near me is my summer hangout. I love their Alex's Lemonade flavor (named in honor for the brave little girl who used to sell lemonade) as well as their black cherry and chocolate. Check the website - www.ritasice.com for a location nearest you. They have a birthday club as well as a treat card (for every ten ices bought you receive a free one). They also give out free samples so you can taste the newest flavors.

This summer treat yourself to a little bit of Italy. Enjoy a cold, refreshing cup of Italian ice.It'll make you feel like your on a Roman holiday.

Espresso Granita.

4 cups espresso coffee
2-3 tablespoons sugar.


Mix hot coffee and sugar together. Stir and then put into a metal pan (you can use a ice tray without the dividers). Freeze until you're ready to serve. Using a fork, scrape the ice into crystals and put into bowls. You can drizzle some chocolate syrup on the granita and serve with a small side of Cool Whip.