Imagine a dessert that’s as refreshing as a summer breeze and bright enough to outshine the sun—meet Watermelon Granita, your new favorite way to beat the heat! With juicy watermelon, zippy lime, and a touch of sweetness, this Italian-inspired icy treat delivers pure, sun-kissed joy in every ruby-red spoonful.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Bursting with Summer Flavor: Every spoonful tastes like peak-season watermelon, with a zesty lift from lime.
- No Fancy Equipment Needed: Forget the ice cream maker—it’s all done with just a blender and a fork!
- Naturally Light & Hydrating: This icy treat is as refreshing as it is guilt-free, perfect for hot days and healthier cravings.
- Make-Ahead Friendly: You can prep it in advance and serve when guests (or your cravings) arrive!
Ingredients You’ll Need
There are only three ingredients in this Watermelon Granita, but each one counts! Every component plays a starring role in creating a treat that’s vibrant in both taste and color.
- Seedless Watermelon (about 8 cups, cut into chunks): Opt for a sweet, ripe melon—the fresher and juicier, the better! Seedless saves time, but see the note below if using a seeded variety.
- Limes (2 whole, juiced): Fresh lime juice adds irresistible brightness and tang, balancing the sweetness of the melon beautifully.
- Sugar (1/3 cup): Just enough to enhance the watermelon’s natural flavor without making it cloying. Feel free to adjust to your taste—it’s your treat!
Variations
One of the things I love most about granita is how customizable it is—it’s practically begging for personal twists! Use what’s in your fridge or tailor it to everyone’s taste for a treat that’s uniquely yours.
- Boozy Touch: Add a splash of vodka or rum before freezing for an adults-only version that’s party-perfect.
- Herbaceous Vibes: Toss in a handful of fresh mint or basil when blending for an extra-refreshing, aromatic note.
- Berry Blend: Swap in a cup of strawberries or raspberries for a beautiful color and even more juicy flavor.
- Sweetener Swap: Replace sugar with honey or agave for a subtle flavor twist and to keep things naturally sweetened.
How to Make Watermelon Granita
Step 1: Blend the Watermelon Mixture
Add half of the watermelon chunks, half the fresh lime juice, and half the sugar to your blender. Blend until velvety smooth—don’t be afraid to let it really whirl, as you want it as liquid as possible! Pour this batch into a large bowl, then repeat the process with the rest of the ingredients. Combine both batches for one big bowl of liquid sunshine.
Step 2: Freeze and Scrape
Pour the watermelon mixture into a 9×13-inch baking dish. Place it flat in the freezer for 2–3 hours. When you notice the edges starting to freeze and the top looks icy, use a fork to gently scrape and fluff the frozen layer. Pop the pan back in the freezer, then return every couple of hours to repeat the scraping, making sure to break up any large icy clumps as you go.
Step 3: Fluff and Serve
Continue scraping the mixture periodically until the entire pan is fluffy, snowy, and fully transformed into irresistible Watermelon Granita. Cover with plastic wrap until you’re ready to dig in—just give it another scrape to refresh before serving in pretty glasses.
Pro Tips for Making Watermelon Granita
- Choose the Ripest Watermelon: The sweeter your melon, the more spectacular your granita will taste—look for a heavy, deeply colored melon with a creamy yellow spot underneath.
- Scraping is Key: For that dreamy, flaky texture, be diligent with your fork—even scraping every hour or so keeps the texture light and prevents icy clumps.
- Seeded Watermelon? No Problem: If you can’t find seedless, blend the melon first and strain out any seeds before adding sugar and lime.
- Serve Super Chill: Pop your serving glasses in the freezer for 15 minutes before eating—it’s a simple trick for slow-melting, sensational Watermelon Granita.
How to Serve Watermelon Granita
Garnishes
For that extra dash of flair, I love crowning each glass of Watermelon Granita with thin wedges of lime, a sprig of fresh mint, or a scattering of finely diced watermelon. Sometimes a sprinkle of flaky sea salt takes it to the next level—trust me, it’s a game-changer!
Side Dishes
Serve your granita alongside light summer salads, grilled seafood, or fresh cheese boards as a cooling palate cleanser—the sweet-tart flavor and icy crunch set the perfect contrast for savory nibbles.
Creative Ways to Present
Try scooping the granita into chilled martini glasses for an elegant touch, or layer it in small mason jars for casual picnics and outdoor gatherings. For parties, offer a granita “bar” with bowls of chopped fruit and herbs so everyone can build their own colorful masterpiece.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Cover your finished Watermelon Granita tightly with plastic wrap and store it right in its baking pan, or transfer to an airtight container. It’ll stay delicious for up to a week—just give it a quick scrape before serving to restore that signature fluffy texture.
Freezing
This granita loves the freezer—it’s designed to be icy! You can store it for several days, and as long as you keep scraping and fluffing, it won’t set into an impenetrable block. Just remember to pop it out a few minutes before serving so it’s easy to scoop.
Reheating
No reheating needed for Watermelon Granita—it’s at its chilly best straight from the freezer. If you find it a bit too solid, simply let it rest on the counter for 5–10 minutes before scraping and serving again.
FAQs
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Can I make Watermelon Granita without sugar?
Absolutely! The sugar helps create the classic granita texture, but if you have an especially sweet watermelon or prefer a lighter option, you can reduce or omit it. Taste the mixture before freezing and adjust as needed—just be aware the texture may be a touch icier.
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What if my watermelon has seeds?
No problem! Simply blend the watermelon and strain the puree through a fine mesh sieve to remove seeds before adding lime juice and sugar. This ensures a silky-smooth granita with no unexpected crunch.
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How far in advance can I make Watermelon Granita?
You can make it several days ahead—just keep it covered in the freezer. For the fluffiest texture, scrape it well before serving and give it a quick refresh with a fork if it’s been stored for a while.
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Can I use bottled lime juice instead of fresh?
Freshly squeezed lime juice gives the granita its sparkle and zip, but you can use bottled in a pinch. Just note the flavor may be a bit milder—consider adding a touch more for extra brightness.
Final Thoughts
If you’re looking to capture the carefree spirit of summer in one perfect, scoopable dessert, Watermelon Granita is the answer. It’s easy, it’s fresh, and above all, it’s an absolute delight to share. Give it a try—you’ll be hooked after the very first frosty bite!
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Watermelon Granita Recipe
- Prep Time: 15 mins
- Total Time: 3 hrs
- Yield: 8 servings
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Freezing
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
A refreshing summer treat, this Watermelon Granita is a light and icy dessert perfect for hot days. Made with fresh watermelon, lime juice, and a touch of sugar, it’s easy to prepare and bursting with fruity flavors.
Ingredients
Ingredients:
- 1/2 whole Seedless Watermelon, Cut Into Chunks (rind Discarded) (about 8 Cups Of Chunks)
- 2 whole Limes, Juiced
- 1/3 cup Sugar
Instructions
- Blend Watermelon Mixture: Place half the watermelon, half the lime juice, and half the sugar in a blender. Process until smooth, then pour into a separate bowl.
- Repeat Blending: Repeat with the other half of ingredients. Pour into the same bowl as the first batch.
- Freeze and Scrape: Transfer the mixture to a 9 x 13 baking dish. Freeze for two to three hours, then lightly scrape the frozen top layer. Return the pan to the freezer with the shaved ice on top. Remove after a couple of hours and continue scraping. Repeat until the entire mixture is shaved.
- Store and Serve: Cover the dish with plastic wrap and store until serving. Serve the granita in pretty glasses with a twist of lime.
Notes
- If using a watermelon with black seeds, blend the watermelon first, then strain to remove seeds before following the rest of the recipe.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 80
- Sugar: 15g
- Sodium: 2mg
- Fat: 0g
- Saturated Fat: 0g
- Unsaturated Fat: 0g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 20g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 1g
- Cholesterol: 0mg
