How To Make Refreshing Granitas: The Ultimate Italian Ice

The ultimate Italian ice! Make delicious refreshing granitas at home using healthy summer fresh fruit.

Remember getting Italian ices in the summer? They were the ultimate summer treat when the temperatures were sizzling. But they were also full of artificial ingredients. You can make your own, called a “granita,” with fresh fruit for a summer treat that’s nostalgically delicious and much healthier. You can even make granitas using espresso for a drink that’s better than any expensive coffee house can make.

What is a Granita?

It’s a semi-frozen, coarse icy dessert, a cross between a slushie and a snow cone, made from practically any fruit, sugar, and water. Originally from Sicily, granitas can be found almost everywhere in Italy where gelato is sold and they’re gaining in popularity in specialty coffee houses and restaurants as the ultimate palate cleanser. But you don’t have to travel across the ocean or shell out big bucks to indulge in this frozen delight. Because not only are granitas delicious, they are fairly simple to make and require no special equipment.

Granita - Ice Cream

Watermelon Granitas

Course Drinks
Servings 8

Ingredients
  

  • cup sugar
  • 2 limes, juiced
  • 8 cups seeded watermelon chunks

Instructions
 

  • Place all ingredients in a blender or food processor and pulse on low until blended and smooth.  
  • Pour mixture into a 9″ x 13″ glass dish, cover with plastic wrap, and place in freezer for 3 hours.
  • Remove from freezer and using a fork, scrape the top layer of the mixture, and around the sides, working toward the center, to loosen it from the pan. The mixture will not be completely frozen.
  • Return to the freezer for another 2 hours (set a timer if you have to). Repeat the scraping process again, repeating the freeze-scrape process until all parts of the mixture are frozen.  
  • Once the entire batch is scraped into flaky crystals, you can serve, or store in the freezer in a tightly-sealed container for up to 1 day.
  • Spoon into ice cream dishes, martini glasses or other stemware, with a garnish of your choice, and eat with a spoon like Italian ice. (Serves 8)
Keyword watermelon granita recipe, watermelon granita with alcohol

Use Your Imagination!

With lots of ripe summer fruits available, you can enjoy different flavors at any time. (Note: If you choose to make a berry or other fruit granita, you will need to add 1 cup of water. Watermelon has a high water content so the water is omitted in this recipe). Experiment and have fun!

Coffee - Granita

Coffee Granitas

Course Drinks
Cuisine American
Servings 4

Ingredients
  

  • cup strong brewed coffee or espresso
  • 1 cup water
  • whipped cream for garnish

Instructions
 

  • Heat sugar and water in a saucepan over medium-high heat until sugar is dissolved. Stir in coffee or espresso.
  • Remove from heat and cool.
  • Pour into an 8″ x 8″ baking dish, cover with plastic wrap and freeze for 1-2 hours.
  • Using a fork, scape the mixture in the pan, pulling it away from the edges.
  • Return container to the freezer for another hour, and scrape mixture again as ice crystals form.  
  • Repeat process until all liquid is frozen.  
  • Spoon granita into ice cream dishes or glass stemware and top with whipped cream.
Keyword coffee granita giada, watermelon granita recipe

This delicious “slushy ice coffee” rivals anything you’d get at a coffee house! 

Print Friendly, PDF & Email

This article was published by the staff at Farmers' Almanac. Do you have a question or an idea for an article? Contact us!

Subscribe
Notify of
guest
Recipe Rating




10 Comments
Newest
Oldest Most Voted
Inline Feedbacks
View all comments
Monique Chancellor

That looks and sounds amazingly delicious!!

lisa

I make granitas with pineapple juice which doesn’t need added sugar. Delicious!!!!

Susan Higgins

Yum! Sounds delicious!

joedogs

Thanks Looks Good

Bobbie Davis

Do you have the other receipe

Susan Higgins

Hi Bobbie Davis, there are two recipes here. Is there another one you are looking for?

airpeg

TY for the receipes.

shrimpy

I love making these with my own grown oranges, lemons, limes, and mint! Delicious!

Deborah

This looks and sounds delicious and goodness we enjoyed them ears ago when my ex was stationed in Germany. Fortunately we lived off base and enjoyed more of way of life over there than we otherwise would have. We never had the recipe though and so look forward to using this one this summer. Thanks for sharing.

pat

Do you have more fruit recipes for the Granita. Like, Lemon, orange, lime…the citrisi stuff?

Plan Your Day. Grow Your Life.

Enter your email address to receive our free Newsletter!