Go Back

Watermelon Granita

Watermelon granita is a frozen dessert made by blending ripe watermelon with citrus and mint, then freezing and periodically scraping it to create a granular, icy texture. The final appearance features fluffy, icy crystals with a vibrant red color, showcasing a refreshingly cold and slightly slushy consistency.
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 4 minutes
Total Time 14 minutes
Servings: 4
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: none
Calories: 80
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

  • 4 cups fresh watermelon chunks seedless if possible
  • 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
  • 1 teaspoon fresh mint chopped
  • 1 tablespoon citrus zest (lemon or lime)

Equipment

  • Blender
  • Freezer
  • Shallow baking dish or tray
  • Fork

Method
 

  1. Measure and cut the watermelon into small chunks to make blending easier.
    4 cups fresh watermelon chunks
  2. Place the watermelon chunks into the blender and add lemon juice, chopped mint, and citrus zest.
    4 cups fresh watermelon chunks, 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice, 1 teaspoon fresh mint chopped, 1 tablespoon citrus zest (lemon or lime)
  3. Pulse the blender until the mixture is smooth and uniform in color, with no large fruit pieces remaining.
    4 cups fresh watermelon chunks, 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice, 1 teaspoon fresh mint chopped, 1 tablespoon citrus zest (lemon or lime)
  4. Pour the blended watermelon mixture into a shallow baking dish or tray, spreading it evenly with a spatula.
    2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
  5. Place the dish in the freezer. Every 30 minutes, use a fork to scrape and stir the mixture, breaking up any ice crystals and creating a granular texture. Repeat this process 3-4 times until the mixture is fully frozen with icy crystals.
  6. Serve the granita in chilled glasses, optionally garnished with extra mint or citrus zest for presentation.

Notes

For an extra burst of flavor, add a splash of citrus liqueur or a sprinkle of salt before freezing.