Spiced Chocolate-Caramel Buttermilk Shake

-Daniel Patterson, NYT

1/2 cup sugar
1 tablespoon cocoa powder
Large pinch ground cardamom
Pinch ground ginger
Pinch ground allspice
Pinch ground cinnamon
Large pinch salt
2 cups homemade buttermilk.

1. Place the sugar in a small heavy pan and set over medium-low heat. Without moving the sugar, let it melt and brown around the edges, then tilt the pan to help it brown evenly. When it is deep brown, remove from the heat to cool slightly. Stir in the cocoa, cardamom, ginger, allspice, cinnamon, and salt.
2. In a separate small pan, warm 1 cup of the buttermilk, then stir into the caramel. If the sugar seizes, bring it to a simmer, stirring often, until it dissolves.
3. Freeze in a shallow pan or bowl, stirring with a fork occasionally, until frozen into a granita.
4. Using a blender, puree the granita with the remaining 1 cup of buttermilk. Serve immediately. Serves 2.