This Frozen Drink Adds a "Wicked Witch" Touch to Halloween

Matcha tea powder gives this witchy-green granita its ghoulish hue. Paired with amaretto liqueur, its sweet almond notes mellow the tea's earthy flavor. As the mixture freezes and is fluffed with a fork, it transforms into a light, icy granita that looks delightfully like a melted witch frozen in time. Best of all, it can be made ahead and stored in the freezer, making it an effortless addition to Halloween parties and celebrations.

Ingredients

Instructions

Yield: 6 servings, about 3/4 cup each

Prepare the Matcha

Place the matcha powder and granulated sugar in a large bowl or pitcher with a pour spout. Whisk to combine.

Bring the water to a boil in a teakettle or medium saucepan. Let cool to 170°F. Pour the water into the matcha mixture and stir to combine. Whisk until the sugar is dissolved and the matcha is well dispersed, then stir in the amaretto.

Note: For the best flavor and texture, boil the water and then cool it to 160°F to 175°F before using it in this recipe.

Give the Granita a Deep Freeze

Pour the mixture into a 13×9-inch baking dish. Place the dish in the freezer, uncovered.

After about 1 hour, check the mixture. When you see a thin layer of ice crystals forming around the edges of the pan, use a fork to scrape and stir them into the liquid.

Return the dish to the freezer. Every 30 to 40 minutes, remove the pan and scrape the mixture with a fork, breaking up the ice crystals and stirring them throughout. The granita will become progressively thicker, slushier, and fluffier with each scraping.

Continue scraping every 30 to 40 minutes until the entire mixture is made up of light, fluffy, green tea ice crystals. This usually takes about 2 1/2 to 3 hours total, depending on your freezer temperature.

Once the granita is fully frozen and fluffy, cover the dish and keep it in the freezer until ready to serve.

Pour Out Your Potions

When ready to serve, portion the granita into clear mugs or cocktail glasses. Garnish each glass with a witch hat cupcake topper (if desired) and serve immediately.