Baked apple water ice

Soft fluffy baked or microwaved apples make a very easy and delicious water ice. Choose apples that are sharp and become soft and fluffy on cooking.

* Makes about 1 1/4 pints

• 2 medium-sized tart cooking apples (such as Newtown Pippin, Jonagold, or Granny Smith)
• 4 tbsp. honey
• 1 1/2 cups water
• 1/2 cup superfine sugar
• 1 tbsp. lemon juice
• 1/2 tsp. ground cinnamon, plus a sprinkle more for garnish
• ginger snaps or cookies to serve

Soft apricot water ice

Apricots, when really ripe, can be delicately aromatic and are perfect for an elegant water ice. In winter use the dried apricot variation.

* Makes about 1 1/4 pints

• 3/4 lb. very ripe apricots, pitted
• 1/2 cup superfine sugar
• 1 1/2 cups water
• 1/4 cup Amaretto liqueur

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

Passion fruit water ice

Astringent passion fruit makes a delightfuly refreshing water ice.

* Makes about 1 1/4 pints

• 12 ripe passion fruit
• 1 cup water
• 3/4 cup superfine sugar
• 1 tbsp. orange juice
• 1 tsp. lemon juice

Dark chocolate granita

If you have not tried a chocolate water ice before, you are in for a treat! It is like eating a frozen bar of crumbled chocolate — definitely for chocoholics.

* Makes about 1 1/2 pints

• 2 1/2 cups water
• 3/4 cup dark brown sugar
• 1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa powder, sifted
• 3 tbsp. light corn syrup
• 1/2 cup white chocolate, flaked, grated, or finely chopped, plus more for decoration