This post, Easy Watermelon Granita was updated May 2025.
Looking for a light and refreshing dessert to beat the Texas heat? This Easy Watermelon Granita is the perfect solution! With just a few simple ingredients, you can create a delightful frozen treat that's sure to impress.
Why You'll Love This Recipe
- Simple Ingredients: No fancy equipment or hard-to-find ingredients needed.
- Quick Preparation: Minimal prep time—let your freezer do most of the work.
- Customizable: Easily adapt the recipe to suit your taste preferences.
- Perfect for Entertaining: A crowd-pleaser that's both elegant and easy to make
What Is a Granita
A granita is basically a fancy snow cone or slushy. Granita just sounds so lux and upscale. Doesn't "would you like a granita darling" sounds so much better than, "you want a slushy?" My granita recipe is super simple and only has 3 ingredients---4 if you decide to make it boozy.
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This watermelon granita is also great for entertaining. I have this theory that once you put something in a martini glass, it automatically becomes fancy. Try it, I'm telling you it works! Go ahead and make it this weekend and wow your family or if you have guests.
Ingredients
- 4 cups watermelon ( use a melon baller for easy scooping) with the seeds removed
- 2 Tablespoons your favorite sweetener (I used agave). Sweeten to your liking.
- Fresh mint for garnish (optional)
- Juice of 1 large lemon or lime
Instructions
Blend: In a blender, combine the diced watermelon, sugar, and lemon or lime juice. Blend until smooth.
Strain (Optional): For a smoother texture, pour the mixture through a fine-mesh sieve into a large bowl to remove pulp.
Freeze: Pour the strained mixture into a shallow baking dish. Place in the freezer for 1 hour.
Scrape: After the first hour, use a fork to scrape the frozen edges towards the center. Repeat this scraping every 30 minutes for the next 2-3 hours, until the entire mixture is fluffy and granular.
Serve: Scoop the granita into serving dishes and enjoy immediately.
Tips for Success
Choose Ripe Watermelon: A ripe watermelon will yield the sweetest flavor.
Adjust Sweetness: Taste your watermelon before adding sugar; you may need less if it's particularly sweet.
Add a Twist: Incorporate fresh mint or basil for an herbal note, or a splash of vodka for an adult version.
Storage: Store leftover granita in an airtight container in the freezer. Before serving again, let it sit at room temperature for a few minutes and fluff with a fork.
Variations to Try
Berry Watermelon Granita: Add a cup of strawberries or raspberries to the blender for a berry twist.
Spicy Watermelon Granita: Include a pinch of cayenne pepper for a spicy kick.
Cucumber Watermelon Granita: Blend in half a chopped cucumber for a refreshing flavor
Watermelon Sorbet: If you want to make watermelon sorbet then you can skip the step where you scrape the ice after an hour. Instead, let the mixture freeze for 4 hours then scoop into a glass.
Boozy Granita: You know I live for a boozy frozen treat! You can serve this watermelon granita to kids but if you want to make it boozy and more of a cocktail then add your favorite alcohol to the mix as indicated in the recipe card. You can also top off the virgin granita with alcohol. Top it off with rum, vodka, rose', or your favorite sparkling wine. So yummy!
Watermelon Granita Recipe
Watermelon Granita Recipe
This watermelon granita is the perfect Summer treat! It's easy to make, delicious and refreshing. It's great for entertaining too because it looks fancy.
Ingredients
- 4 cups watermelon ( use a melon baller for easy scooping) with the seeds removed
- 2 Tablespoons your favorite sweetener (I used agave). Sweeten to your liking.
- Fresh mint for garnish (optional)
- Juice of 1 large lemon or lime
Instructions
- Combine all of the ingredients in a blender.
- Pour the liquid mixture into a shallow baking dish. Place the dish on a level surface in your freezer. Set your time for one hour.
- After an hour, remove the mixture from the freezer and use a fork to scrape through the icy mixture.
- Set your timer for 2 hours and repeat step 3. You should be left with slushy ice crystals.
- Serve in a martini glass and garnish with fresh mint.
Notes
If you want to make this a boozy granita add ¼ cup of your favorite booze (I like to use vodka, rum, or Rose').
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More Summer cocktail recipes
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