Raspberry water ice

You would never guess this water ice contains wine, but it does add an unusually full-bodied flavor.

* Makes about 1 1/2 pints

• 2 cups fresh raspberries
• 1/2 cup light red wine
• 1 cup water
• 3/4 cup superfine sugar

In a food processor or blender, combine all the ingredients thoroughly. Pour through a fine-mesh sieve until quite smooth.

Pour the mixture into a freezer container and freeze until partly frozen. Break up into crystals once, then leave until almost frozen.

To serve, break up or scrape the water ice into crystals and spoon into iced wine glasses. Leave in the freezer no longer than an hour, until you’re quite ready to eat. Serve with biscotti or simple cookies.

Variations:

• Raspberry & rosé water ice

For a lighter flavor, prepare the basic recipe, replacing the red wine with rosé wine or sparkling rosé wine.

• Raspberry & rhubarb water ice

Prepare the basic recipe, replacing 1 cup raspberries with 1 cup roughly chopped rhubarb that you have poached in a little simmering water until just tender. Add extra sugar to taste and serve with whipped cream.

• Raspberry & red currant water ice

Prepare the basic recipe, replacing 1 cup raspberries with 1 cup cooked red currants. Add extra sugar to taste.

• Raspberry & plum water ice

Prepare the basic recipe, replacing 1 cup raspberries with 1 cup pitted and chopped sweet red plums, which you have poached in simmering water until just tender. A shot of iced schnapps or vodka would be good poured on top.