How to Make Granita with Leftover Wine (or Beer)

 Every week, baking expert Alice Medrich will be going rogue on Food52 -- with shortcuts, hacks, and game-changing recipes.

Today: Alice shows us how to use up leftover party booze in the most delicious way possible.

Got wine left over après party? Even if it's just a little of this and that, you can make a super flavorful, refreshing granita. And no one is looking, so go ahead and mix it up -- combine red and white to make rosé if you like! Beer is good too; choose a pilsner or light ale for granita, not a hoppy IPA.

Granita is fabulous by itself or with a little whipped cream on top, or use the granita to top a scoop of vanilla ice cream; the combination of icy with creamy is dreamy.

Après Party Granita

Makes about 2 cups

1 cup red and/or white wine, or flat beer
1⁄4 cup plus 2 tablespoons water
3 tablespoons sugar
Sweetened whipped cream for topping (optional)

See the full recipe (and save and print it) here.

Get excited about Alice's forthcoming book Flavor Flours: nearly 125 recipes -- from Double Oatmeal Cookies to Buckwheat Gingerbread -- made with wheat flour alternatives like rice flour, oat flour, corn flour, sorghum flour, and teff (not only because they're gluten-free, but for an extra dimension of flavor, too). 

Photo by James Ransom