While summertime begs for time eating — and dribbling — delicious, succulent watermelon, why not expand the repertoire to include drinking it? For a fresh way to cool off this Fourth of July, try making frozen Watermelon Granita. It’s an Italian drink that is similar to sorbet or shaved ice. You can make it family friendly or add some vodka for the adult version.

Watermelon Granita

8 cups of seedless
watermelon, chilled
2 limes, juiced
½ cup sugar
½ cup vodka (optional)
Several sprigs of mint

Place watermelon, lime juice, and the sugar in a food processor and puree until smooth. If you add vodka, your granita will be a tad slushier. Pour into a 9-by-13-inch glass baking dish and freeze for 1 hour. Then lightly rake and scrape the top layer of the mixture with a sharp-edged spoon and freeze for another hour. Repeat this process of freezing and scraping 1 more hour until the mixture is completely frozen in light flakes of crystalline watermelon. Serve in pretty glasses and garnish with mint.