This Watermelon Granita is the perfect cold refreshment for the summer. Granita is the next best thing to a gelato or ice cream. Although similar to a sorbet and a slushy their textures are different. Sorbet is softer and smoother and can be scooped like gelato/ice cream. A granita is crunchy with bits just like shaved ice. Hence the name granita, which sounds like ‘granite’, granite which is coarse and grainy just like a granita.
Granita originates in the south of Italy, in the region of Sicily. These shave-like ice crystals are served all year round but are most popular in the summer. As the granita is a perfect icy refreshment for hot weather, especially in July and August. One of my favourites for the summer months is a zesty watermelon granita. On the itinerary of most travellers to the region of Sicily is to try the granita. Delicious when served with a freshly baked soft brioche or on its own. One of the most popular Italian franchises that serve delicious granita is GROM. They offer a variety of gelato and granita flavours.
What makes a granita?
Granita is typically made with water, flavourings, and colouring. However, when I make a granita, I like to use the actual fruit instead of artificial flavours. In addition, using the fruit itself gives a natural colour. Some of my favourite fruits to use are blueberries, watermelon and oranges. Sometimes a layer of all three or a mixture of two. I had a large piece of leftover watermelon. Hence why I opted to make this zesty watermelon granita. Watermelons are very refreshing, sweet, colourful and perfect for the summertime. Only three ingredients were used in making this zesty watermelon granita. It could easily be two ingredients (fruit and sugar)depending on the blender/food processor’s power.
- Watermelon – Any fruit of your choice will work also. You can start with this zesty watermelon granita recipe. Then experiment with other fruits.
- Sugar – The addition of sugar in a granita is important because it aids the crystallization effect. If you take out the sugar you will most likely end up with a sorbet or a slushy.
- Orange – The natural sweetness of the watermelon with the addition of sugar can be a little much. I choose to add both the orange juice and zest to add a little zestiness. This creates a richer dual-toned flavour. The liquid also aids in blending the frozen fruit into a smoother paste.
Another zesty recipe you might be interested in is: Orange Upside-Down Cake with Italian Apéritif and another cold choice of beverages you might like are Dalgona Coffee Whipped 3 Ways
Zesty Watermelon Granita made with 3 ingredients
Ingredients
- 1.3 kg watermelon
- ⅓ cup Sugar
- 1 orange
Instructions
- Cut the watermelon into small cubes, discard the external layer and remove as many seeds as you can (it's ok if some seeds are left).
- Place the chopped watermelon into a dish/tray/tub and place in a freezer until completely frozen.
- Using a peel, peel a couple of rinds of the orange zest. Then cut the orange in half and squeeze out the juice. Measure out 1/3 cup of the orange juice.
- Add the frozen watermelon, 1/3 cup sugar, the orange peel and 1/3 cup of orange juice into a blender or food processor. Then blitz until smooth.
- Pour the blended mixture into a tub/tray/dish and place it into a freezer for at least two hours. In between this 2 hours period, take the tray out of the freezer and scrape/break the watermelon mixture apart every 30-40 minutes. By the 3rd or 4th time you should have a crystalized shaved-ice texture. Serve and enjoy!
14 Responses
This granita was so refreshing and fun to eat. I loved the bright flavors and how easy it was to make with your instructions.
Loved this granite was made with actual fruit instead of water or juice. It was so refreshing, and VERY easy to make!
I love this granita recipe, it was so easy to make and the orange & watermelon were combination, it was refreshing and perfect!
You had me at three ingredients! This granite was super easy to make and so refreshing. I’ll can’t wait to make this recipe on a few hot summer days this upcoming summer.
Granitas are one of my all time favorite treats and this one was equally amazing!
Oh, this watermelon granita was PERFECTION! What I loved most is the recipe had only three ingredients. This is going to be perfect for summer in the south in a few months. Can’t wait to make this again!
You won’t believe me but this was actually my first time making granita. Loved the watermelon and orange combo so much that I have printed out the recipe to make again soon!
Watermelon is something that I can eat year round so when I saw this recipe, I had to make it ASAP! It was SO good, the orange flavor went SO well with the watermelon flavors. I’m definitely keeping this recipe around!
This granita is so refreshing and easy to make! I loved the flavor of the orange with the watermelon.
This watermelon granita was so delicious and refreshing! I also love the fact that only 3 ingredients are required to make it.
It is currently super hot in Nairobi and this zesty granita made for a PERFECT cool treat! This was super easy to make too and I will make some more through out the hot season!
I love the flavor that orange adds to this granita. And the texture is just perfect without adding any ice!
I love the flavors here! It’s so refreshing and has the perfect amount of zest! My family and I loved it!
This recipe ruined my life. I can’t have another granita from wherever in the street because i now can make them BETTER! It’s italian boyfriend and GRANDMA approved. And sooooo easy to make honestly (if you dont want to wash the the blender just skip that step and go straight to the scraping!) so good!!!!!!