Apple Cider Granita

A frozen dessert isn't something I'd normally serve this time of year, but when I happened upon this apple cider granita recipe, my curiosity won out. The pairing of cozy fall flavors with something cold and refreshing is surprising and delicious and lets you enjoy apple cider in a whole new way. It'd be a great addition to your dessert table if you're celebrating Thanksgiving in 70-degree weather, or it would make a perfect Turkey Day palate cleanser.

Apple Cider Granita
Recipe adapted from Bon Appétit

4 cups apple cider
1/3 cup (packed) brown sugar
1 tablespoon lemon juice
8 whole allspice
3 cinnamon sticks

Stir ingredients in saucepan over medium heat until sugar dissolves. Remove from heat, cover and let steep 1 hour. Strain mixture into 8-inch square baking pan. Freeze until edges begin to set, about 2 hours. Whisk and freeze again until mixture is slushy, about 3 hours. Whisk again to blend well. Freeze without stirring until granita is frozen solid, 4 hours or overnight. Using a fork, scrape granita until entire mixture is mass of crystals. Cover and freeze until ready to serve. Scoop granita into 6 chilled glasses.