Nothing says summer quite like a frosty glass of Watermelon Granita—icy, vibrant, and bursting with the pure taste of ripe watermelon and lime. This classic Italian-inspired frozen dessert is impossibly refreshing, easy to make, and a surefire way to keep cool on the hottest days.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Ultra-Refreshing: Every bite is cool and crisp, making it the most thirst-quenching treat to beat the summer heat.
- Simple Ingredients: It shines with just watermelon, lime juice, and a touch of sugar—no fancy tools or fussy methods.
- Naturally Vibrant: The stunning pink hue and fresh flavor come straight from juicy watermelon—no food coloring or artificial anything.
- Make-Ahead Friendly: You can freeze and scrape ahead of time, so a show-stopping dessert is always ready to serve.
Ingredients You’ll Need
This recipe proves that a handful of quality ingredients can create summer magic! Each component plays a starring role—watermelon brings flavor and that gorgeous color, lime adds zing, and a hint of sugar balances everything to frosty perfection.
- Seedless Watermelon (about 8 cups, cut into chunks): Choose a really ripe, sweet melon for the best texture and color—seedless saves you time! If you only have seeded watermelon, see notes below for a quick fix.
- Fresh Lime Juice (from 2 whole limes): The acidity brightens the flavor and turns this into an irresistible palate refresher.
- Granulated Sugar (about 1/3 cup): Just enough to highlight the fruit’s natural sweetness without overpowering its fresh taste.
Variations
The best part about Watermelon Granita? It’s just begging for a personal twist! You can easily swap in flavors or make small changes to suit your mood, your pantry, and even dietary preferences.
- Minty Watermelon Granita: Puree a handful of fresh mint leaves with the watermelon for a cooling, herbal note that really pops.
- Adult Granita: Add a splash of vodka or white rum before freezing for a grown-up spin that’s perfect for poolside parties.
- Citrus Twist: Try using half lemon juice with half lime juice, or even some orange zest, for a more complex citrus background.
- Sugar-Free Option: Use honey or your favorite sweetener in place of sugar for a naturally sweet treat.
How to Make Watermelon Granita
Step 1: Blend the Ingredients
Add half of your watermelon chunks, half the lime juice, and half the sugar to a blender. Blend until completely smooth—this should only take a few seconds if your watermelon is nice and ripe! Pour the purée into a large mixing bowl, then repeat with the remaining ingredients so the blender doesn’t overflow.
Step 2: Freeze the Mixture
Pour the blended watermelon mixture into a 9 x 13-inch baking dish. Spread it out evenly, then pop the dish into your freezer. After 2-3 hours, check the top layer—it should be icy around the edges and starting to freeze in the center.
Step 3: Scrape and Fluff
Once the top is mostly frozen, use a fork to gently scrape and fluff the icy layer into delicate crystals. Return the pan to the freezer, repeating this process every couple of hours until the entire dish is snowy and light. This is where all the granita texture magic happens!
Step 4: Serve and Enjoy
Once the granita is fluffy and evenly shaved, cover it with plastic wrap until you’re ready to serve. Scoop into glasses, garnish however you like, and enjoy your homemade Watermelon Granita on a warm day.
Pro Tips for Making Watermelon Granita
- Choose Extra-Ripe Watermelon: The riper the melon, the sweeter and more flavorful your granita—plus, the color will be more intense and beautiful.
- Blender Tips: If using regular watermelon with seeds, blend just the melon first and strain before adding juice and sugar to avoid gritty bits in the final granita.
- Don’t Skip the Scraping: Regularly “rake” the mixture with a fork every 1-2 hours—this is the secret to tiny, fluffy, snow-like crystals (not one big watermelon ice cube!).
- Make It Ahead: Watermelon Granita keeps beautifully—just fluff it with a fork before serving if it gets compacted in the freezer.
How to Serve Watermelon Granita
Garnishes
For a picture-perfect finish, top each serving with a twist of lime, a sprig of fresh mint, or even a few tiny watermelon balls. A sprinkle of flaky sea salt or a dusting of chili powder can also create an irresistible sweet-salty or spicy contrast.
Side Dishes
Pair Watermelon Granita with a crisp green salad, grilled seafood, or any light summer fare. It makes a delightful finale to spicy meals or a palate cleanser between rich courses at a summer gathering.
Creative Ways to Present
Scoop the granita into elegant martini glasses or chilled wine goblets for a festive touch. Layer it with fresh fruit or a dollop of whipped coconut cream, or offer it in fun paper cones for a backyard picnic vibe. For parties, try serving mini portions in shot glasses as a colorful dessert “amuse bouche.”
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Leftover Watermelon Granita can be stored right in the baking dish or transferred to an airtight container. Keep it tightly covered in the freezer so it doesn’t pick up any stray freezer smells. Just fluff with a fork before serving to restore that lovely, icy texture.
Freezing
Granita is born to live in the freezer! It keeps well for up to a week, so you can make it ahead and pull it out whenever you need a chilly treat. Just give it a fresh scrape with a fork each time—the ice crystals will stay airy and delicate.
Reheating
You don’t need to reheat Watermelon Granita—it’s meant to be served frozen. If it gets too hard, let it sit at room temperature for 5-10 minutes, then gently scrape it with a fork to revive that soft, slushy texture.
FAQs
-
Can I make Watermelon Granita without a blender?
Yes! If you don’t have a blender, mash the watermelon chunks as finely as possible with a potato masher, or even a fork, then mix in the lime juice and sugar. The texture won’t be as silky smooth, but your granita will still taste amazing.
-
What if my granita freezes too hard?
That’s totally normal. Just let the pan sit at room temperature for a few minutes until you can easily scrape it with a fork, then fluff it up—this will bring back that wonderful, flaky texture.
-
Can I use other fruits for this granita method?
Absolutely! The granita technique works with all kinds of juicy fruits—try cantaloupe, strawberries, mango, or even citrus. Always adjust sugar to taste based on the fruit’s natural sweetness.
-
How do I remove seeds if I only have a seeded watermelon?
Blend just the watermelon flesh first, then push the purée through a fine mesh strainer to catch seeds and seed particles. Once strained, continue with the recipe as instructed.
Final Thoughts
If you’re looking for a showstopping frozen dessert that’s as fun to make as it is to eat, you can’t go wrong with Watermelon Granita. It’s a summertime essential that brings a little sunshine to every scoop—so grab a melon and give it a whirl. I can’t wait for you to try it!
Print
Watermelon Granita Recipe
- Prep Time: 15 mins
- Total Time: 2-3 hours freezing time
- Yield: 8 servings 1x
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Freezing
- Cuisine: International
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Cool down with this refreshing Watermelon Granita, a light and icy treat perfect for hot summer days. Made with fresh watermelon, zesty lime juice, and a touch of sugar, this granita is easy to whip up and sure to impress.
Ingredients
Ingredients for Watermelon Granita:
- 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 the Ingredients: 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 the 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 top frozen layer. Return to the freezer, scraping occasionally until the entire mixture is shaved.
- Serve: Store covered in plastic wrap until serving. Serve in pretty glasses with a twist of lime.
Notes
- If using a regular watermelon with black seeds, blend the watermelon first and strain to remove seeds before following the recipe.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: Approx. 90 kcal
- Sugar: Approx. 17g
- Sodium: Approx. 1mg
- Fat: Approx. 0.2g
- Saturated Fat: 0g
- Unsaturated Fat: 0.1g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: Approx. 23g
- Fiber: Approx. 1g
- Protein: Approx. 1g
- Cholesterol: 0mg
