Summer on Ice - EZ Frozen Granitas Recipes

Do you love frozen treats? Granitas are easy to make, easier to eat and can be made with fresh, healthy ingredients. But they won't taste like it! Summer Casual cherry picked some of our favorite granitas recipes from Pinterest and present them in this post. Make note that each recipe has a different freezing method. If one method appeals more than another, just go with the one that suits you. They all make fantastic granitas!

 Lemon Granita
I started with my hands down favorite. If you don't have lemons on hand but have lemonade mix it's almost as good as this recipe.
Ingredients

  • 1 qt water
  • 3/4 cup sugar
  • 2/3 cup lemon juice (4 lemons)
  • Zest of 4 organic lemons
  • Fresh Mint for garnish
Preparation

  • Peel the zest from the lemons and set aside. Squeeze the lemons to make 2/3 cup  lemon juice.
  • In a large pot heat the water with the sugar. Bring to a boil and simmer 2 minutes, stirring to make sure the sugar is dissolved.  Add the lemon juice and lemon zest.  Cover and let steep for 30 minutes.
  • Strain the mixture into one or two containers that will fit into your freezer. The liquid will expand as it freezes so only fill 2/3 to the top.
  • Let cool to room temperature, cover and freeze until partially frozen for 3-5 hours.
  • Take the partially or completely frozen granita out of the freezer and leave it at room temperature until you can break it up into hunks with a large spoon. Grind these hunks in a food processor or blender until it is the consistency of soft snow. Return to freezer until ready to serve. If it freezes too hard, let the granita sit at room temperature for a few minutes, then work the mixture with the back of a large metal spoon until soft.
    Serve in glasses or small bowls garnished with lemon verbena or mint. 
  • Serves 4-6.

 Sangria Granita
A granita just for grown ups! This is a perfect weekend treat.
Ingredients
  • 1/2 cup fresh squeezed orange juice
  • 1/2 cup pomegranate juice
  • 3/4 cup water
  • 1/2 cup sugar
  • 10 blackberries (more for garnishing)
  • 2 cinnamon sticks (more for garnishing)
  • 2 cups Dark Red Wine, such as Cabernet Sauvignon

Preparation
  • In a large pot, combine the sugar and water and heat on low until melted.
  • Add in the pomegranate juice, orange juice blackberries and cinnamon sticks. Bring to a slight boil, then simmer on low for 15 minuntes. Let all of the ingredients infuse together until the blackberries lose their color.
  • Remove the blackberries, pour in the wine and simmer for another 5 minutes.
  • Remove the cinnamon sticks.
  • Pour into a deep container, such as a metal loaf pan.
  • Freeze overnight.
  • Use a fork to shave the sangria.
  • Serve in a snow cone cup with a blackberry and cinnamon stick and enjoy!
  • Makes 6 servings.

 Watermelon Granita
This is a delicious, nutritious, family-friendly recipe. Have the kids help you make this one.
Ingredients
  • 1/2 whole seedless watermelon cut into chunks, or 8 cups of chunks
  • 2 whole limes, Juiced
  • 1/3 cup sugar

Preparation
  • 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 with other half of ingredients. Pour into same bowl as other batch.
  • Transfer mixture to a 9 x 13 baking dish. Freeze for two or three hours, then begin the process of lightly scraping the top, frozen layer. Return pan to freezer with the shaved ice on top; remove a couple of hours later and continue scraping. Repeat the occasional scraping process until the entire mixture is shaved. Store, covered in plastic wrap, until serving.
  • Serve in pretty glasses with a twist of lime.

Coconut Snow
It looks like vanilla ice cream but it's Oh-So different!
Ingredients

  • 1 14-oz. can full-fat coconut milk
  • 1/4 cup sugar (or honey)
  • 1/4 cup water
  • 1 lime
  • Chocolate sauce (optional)
Preparation
  • In a shallow dish (such as a 9" pie plate), pour the coconut milk.
  • In a small microwave-safe dish, combine the sugar and water. Microwave until the water simmers and you can stir to dissolve the sugar. Let cool slightly, then add to the coconut milk. Squeeze in the juice of half a lime (optional).
  • Place the dish in the freezer, and scrape every 30 minutes for 2 hours. Serve with chocolate sauce.

Melon-Apple Granita
This granita is summer in a bowl! It's just so refreshing!


Ingredients
  • 4 cups cubed ripe melon
  • 1 cup unsweetened apple juice
  • ¼ cup lime juice
  • 1 cup fresh blueberries
  • 1 cup fresh raspberries
  • Fresh mint leaves, for garnish

Preparation
  • Combine melon, apple juice and lime juice in a blender; puree until smooth. Pour the mixture into a 9-by-13-inch glass or metal pan.
  • Place the pan on a level surface in your freezer. Freeze, stirring and scraping with a fork every 30 minutes, moving the frozen edges in toward the slushy center and crushing any lumps, until the granita is firm but not frozen solid, 3 to 4 hours.
  • Remove from the freezer; use a metal spatula or large spoon to break up the frozen ice into small slivers. Pack into an airtight plastic container and freeze for at least 1 hour more.
  • Remove from the freezer about 20 minutes before serving to soften slightly. Use a wide spoon or ice cream scoop to scrape the granita into shallow bowls. Sprinkle blueberries and raspberries over each portion and garnish with mint leaves, if desired.

Where to Eat? How About the Patio?

There is nothing more refreshing than eating something cold outside. Did you ever notice how many ice cream parlors have maybe 1 small table indoors and loads of seating outside? Because they know how nice it is out there!

A cool treat like granitas deserves a cushioned outdoor seat, such as the Alveranda Outdoor Dining Set. This 6-seating set is now available at a NEW lower price of $649. Order online today @ the Home Depot.





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