Granita Di Caffe Con Panna (Coffee Ice with Whipped Cream)

Serves 6

4 cups of freshly-brewed espresso or coffee (8-oz. measuring cups, not
5 or 6-oz. coffee cups)
4 Tbsp sugar

Add the sugar to the coffee while still hot. Mix well. Pour into two ice-cube trays and freeze for several hours or overnight. While ice is freezing, set 6 wine glasses or small bowls in the refrigerator to chill.

Just before dinner, run the ice cubes through a food processor one tray at a time. Pack the ice crystals into the wine glasses, and immediately set the glasses in the freezer. Get as much of the first tray of ice out of the food processor as you can, or the second batch of ice cubes won't be able to fall into the path of the blades.

When ready to serve, top the glasses of ice with any of the following:

* whipped cream (add vanilla, sugar, almond extract, etc.)
* liqueurs (Amaretto, Kahlua, Baileys, etc.)
* chocolate curls or small pieces
* candied citrus peel