Lemon, Vodka-Martini Granita

(adapted from River Cafe Two Easy, by Ruth Rogers and Rose Gray).

Serves 6

8 lemons, washed
8 ice cubes
14 oz. vodka
Simple syrup (1/3 c. water and 1/2 cup sugar boiled until dissolved

Make simple syrup first. Cool.

Grate zest from 6 of the lemons. Squeeze juice from all 8. You should have about 2 cups of juice. Mix together lemon juice with zest, and leave for 30 minutes.

Smash the ice up roughly. Add vodka and 1/2 cup of simple syrup and lemon mixture. Add crushed ice and freeze in a metal baking pan until solid, going into the freezer a few times to scrape the mix around with a fork.

To Serve:
Use a fork to scrape up the granita into Martini glasses.