This is a dessert that I made for our 4th of July celebration. I did not feel like baking; therefore came up with watermelon granita, which was perfect since I had watermelon sitting on the counter asking to be eaten…not to mention that this a perfect light and refreshing dessert for a hot summer day.
Granita is just a frozen dessert very similar to sorbet, which is based mainly of water, sugar and flavors. The mix is placed in the freezer and scraped, so ice crystals are formed. There are many versions of watermelon granite throughout the internet, but basically the ingredients are watermelon, sugar, lemon/lime. It is very versatile since you can adjust to your liking in regards to sweetness, tartness and so on. Not to mention that granita is a good alternative for people that want a low fat kind of ice dessert.
This is a very simple recipe, a little laborious since you have to keep going back and forward to the freezer to scrape the ice. Although you could leave it longer, but then you will need a lot of muscle to scrape, because the block of watermelon ice will be rock hard. In spite of the work it is well worth it, the watermelon granita is very refreshing and you can prepare it in advance. As a matter of fact after the party, we had some leftover. I stored the granite in an air tight container and kept in the freezer for almost a week and it is still perfectly delicious and fresh until the last serving.
Ingredients:
8 cups of watermelon cut into big chunks (this was approximately ½ of my watermelon)
1/3 cup sugar
juice from 2 limes, approximately 5 tablespoons
fresh mint leaves for garnish
Method:
In a blender place approximately half of the watermelon, half of the sugar and half lime juice. Puree until well blended and place the puree watermelon blend in a 13 x 9 in pyrex. Repeat the process with the other half of watermelon, sugar and lime juice. Pour the blend again in the pyrex and mix gently.
Cover the pyrex with aluminum foil and place in the freezer for approximately 2 hours.
Remove the pyrex from the freezer and scrape the top layer of ice with a spoon or fork to lose the ice. I notice that the ice on the side of the dish was harder than the middle. Cover the dish and place the tray back in the freezer.
Repeat the process for 2 or 3 times until all the ice is scraped.
Before serving, I lose the ice crystal with a fork and spoon into a serving glass.
Garnish with the fresh mint leaves and serve.
Did you know that granita is believed to be originally from Sicily, Italy? Interestingly granite is served with a brioche as a breakfast during summer.
Thank you for stopping by Simple Recipes and have a great week!
Love this. It looks so refreshing, especially today that we have 41 degrees C. I make popsicles using same ingredients.
Definitely want this all summer long!
this is the epitome of refreshing, juliana! what an outstanding creation!
Happy Watermelon Month Juliana! Your Watermelon Granita looks so darn refreshing, I may just need to pop over for a taste!
Thanks for sharing…
This looks so refreshing and cooling. Just want to dive into it.
I’ve seen a ton of granitas around the blogosphere lately and they always seem so refreshing! Love that you used watermelon to flavor it. Mmm.
Last year I saw so many watermelon granita recipe but this year yours is the first one this summer. I should make this with my kids. We’ve been making all kinds of cold treats, but have never made granita yet. I’ve been wanting to buy a shaved ice machine but I think my husband will opposed the idea (since storage can be an issue). I’ll stick with the granita recipes. =) Looks yummy and summery!
Looks so good! Watermelon is a favourite in my house, and your granita would be gone in no time at all!
Have a lovely week!
So easy to make and so pretty! Watermelon is the perfect fruit for summer!
Not only nice but also a just-in-time dessert. I also like it being no-fat.
Refreshing and delightful!
Cheers,
Rosa
I love how refreshing granitas are. Kudos for using watermelon!
Just in time for summer! But I have no consistent luck with watermelons. Last week I bought one that is so sweet and juicy and this week I had one that is just plain bland and tasteless :O
I would love this with a shot of vodka
looks great!
Oh it’s like a snow cone!
What a refreshing and fantastic dessert Juliana! Yum!
Ohhh I love watermelon granita, Juliana! I find it truly refreshing and so perfect for Texas weather!
This looks absolutely delicious! It is so hot right here, I am constantly looking for refreshing drinks to cool down…this is perfect!
I made watermelon granita yesterday! loved it …it is refreshing!
This is exactly what I need right now.. It is killing hot outside..
Beautiful color.. I love watermelon so this is definitely on my make list!!
Hope you are having a gorgeous week and wishing you a beautiful weekend!!
Juliana, this looks so refreshing! perfect for summer. I need to try this.
Look delicious Juliana!!
wow Julia. I’d love to have this on a hot day!! It would be PERFECT! And watermelon is one of the lowest calories too!!
Hi Juliana! I’m making this for sure, it looks like the perfect summertime treat, sweet, flavorful, light and refreshing-doesn’t get better than that;-)
We are experiencing heat wave and I really need a HUGE bowl of this watermelon granita to cool off especially after a trip to my veggie garden.
I’m overseas and it is really hot where I am at the moment so this sounds so welcoming!
Oh Yum! This is refreshing!
This is such a perfect summer treat! I can almost taste it now! Great photos, it makes me love it more!
I would have to ‘employ’ some friendly person to run back and forth to the freezer
What a gorgeous and refreshing granita my friend, gotta love the watermelon flavour!
Beautiful photos too!
Cheers
Choc Chip Uru
Refreshing, pretty hot summer’s day treat. Well done!
Lovely, Juliana. Granitas are so refreshing, easy to make, perfect for summer. I’ve used other fruits, but never have tried watermelon. This looks marvelous!
Hi Juliana, your watermelon granitas look so refreshing and tempting. I love it, thanks for sharing the recipe.
Have a nice week ahead.
very refreshing!
Beautiful and refreshing. I love watermelon in any form.:)
Have a great weekend!
What a great refreshing idea for a hot summer! It’s cold now at Melbourne but I would keep this idea in my mind for our arriving summer.
Oh, looking at your icy watermelon granita is giving me a refreshing feeling. Good choice in making this treat instead of baking because it’s just too hot to bake. Plus this granita is just perfect, perfect, perfect. Have a good weekend to you, Juliana because it is almost here.
~ ray ~
Mmm, I love watermelon any which way you slice it! A super-chilled icy dessert would be ideal for these hot days, too.
How very refreshing!!!
Miriam@Meatless Meals For Meat Eaters
this looks like the perfect dessert and a fun breakie he he
This is a wonderful summer dessert – perfectly refreshing and light. Also, very pretty from the watermelon’s color.
I can imagine that in the heat of your summer that this would be a wonderful dessert. I love granita and not only is watermelon one of my most favourite flavours, it’s such a pretty colour as well xx
What a refreshing dessert! Everything about this says summer! Enjoy your weekend, Juliana.
I love granita! Have been wanting to make but never got to it. Now I see you made this yummy water granita makes me craving for some.
That is pretty in pink and total refreshment in a glass.
Juliana this granita is perfect for me! Here the temperature is above 35 C and I will be more than happy to have this to fresh me up!
This is the one I want to make, but I need a freezer without food in it so that I can scrape, scrape, scrape.
i didnt know that it’s so simple to make..it would be nice to have someone else instead of me to scrape the ice
I love granita and think that watermelon makes the best granita. It’s just so refreshing and without packing on all the calories that other frozen treats have. Thanks for sharing:)