Black Pepper Blackberry Slush

3 tablespoons water

2 ½ tablespoons white sugar

1 cup fresh blackberries

1 pinch ground black pepper

1 tiny pinch salt

Combine water and sugar in saucepan over medium heat; cook until sugar melts and the liquid begins to simmer. Remove from heat and cool to room temperature.

Place blackberries, sugar water mixture, pepper, and salt in a blender. Cover and blend until the mixture is liquefied and smooth.

Pour through a mesh strainer into a shallow dish. Tap dish gently to evenly distribute mixture across the bottom. Cover and freeze until solid, at least 2 1/2 hours.

Scrape blackberry mixture into a slush using the tines of a fork. Cover and return to the freezer until ready to serve.