Active time: 15 min Start to finish: 3 1/2 hr (includes freezing)

　　

Ingredients

Makes 4 servings

　　2 cups water

　　1 cup chopped fresh mint leaves

　　1/2 cup sugar

　　2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice

　　Garnish: fresh mint leaves

　　

Step 1

Bring water, mint, and sugar to a boil in a 1- to 2-quart saucepan, stirring until sugar is dissolved, then reduce heat and simmer, uncovered, 3 minutes. Add lemon juice and pour through a fine-mesh sieve, pressing hard on solids and discarding them, then cool.

　　

Step 2

Freeze mixture in a 1 1/2- to 2-quart shallow nonreactive metal container, stirring and crushing lumps with a fork every 30 minutes, until evenly frozen, 2 to 3 hours. Scrape with a fork to lighten texture, crushing any lumps. Spoon into glasses or bowls.