This recipe for Watermelon Granita with Mint Lime Sugar is an easy-to-make, healthy, refreshing dessert.
Nothing beats a homemade granita on a hot summer day! Not only are granitas light, and refreshing, they are also dairy-free, egg-free, and vegan-friendly. Filled with sweet watermelon, this granita makes a perfect summer dessert.
Watermelon Granita
A granita is a semi-frozen dessert that is typically made with water, sugars, and flavorings of some sort.
Instead of using water, I love to make my granita with Watermelon juice--which is oh so refreshing.
The watermelon granita alone, is a perfect light frozen dessert, but when finished with a mint lime sugar, this easy granita recipe turns into something spectacular.
Notes on Ingredients
- Fresh Watermelon: You want to be sure your watermelon is REALLY ripe so that your granita is super sweet. In fact, Watermelon Granitas are a perfect time to use watermelon that has been sitting in your fridge for a couple of days.
- Fresh Limes: The zest and fresh juice of the lime will really make the flavors pop in this simple dessert.
- Honey: The sweetness of your watermelon will determine how much sweetener you will need to add to the watermelon puree. I love using honey, but maple syrup can be used to keep this dessert vegan-friendly.
- Mint Sugar: Made with lime zest, fresh mint, and granulated sugar, this optional topping really makes this dessert memorable.
How to Make Watermelon Granitas
- Place watermelon chunks, lime juice, and honey into a blender and blend until smooth.
- Give the mixture a quick taste test to see if additional sweetener needs to be added.
- Place a fine-mesh strainer over a shallow freezer-safe dish and pour the blended watermelon through the mesh sieve. This will remove any seeds or chunks and keeps the granita super smooth.
- Cover the dish with plastic wrap or an airtight lid and place the mixture into the freezer for 2 to 3 hours.
- After 2-3 hours, remove the granita from the freezer and use a fork to scrape the top frozen layer of the granita. Once you get to the less frozen parts, stop scraping and return to the freezer for at least 2 more hours.
- Repeat the process up to three times, or until the granita is fully frozen.
- If desired, mix together fresh lime zest, freshly minced mint, sugar, and a dash of salt together.
- Scoop up the watermelon granita into serving bowls and sprinkle with the mint lime sugar.
Storing Granitas
Granita will stay in the beautiful icy consistency in the freezer in an airtight container for up to 2 months.
More Frozen Treats
If you make and enjoy this Watermelon Granita, I would love for you to leave a comment and your five-star rating below – I love hearing from you!
Watermelon Granita
Ingredients
- 4 cups seedless watermelon Cut Into Chunks
- 2 limes juiced and zested
- 2 tablespoons honey or maple syrup more if desired
Mint Lime Sugar (Optional)
- 8 fresh mint leaves
- 1 tablespoons sugar
- dash sea salt
Instructions
Watermelon Granita
- Place watermelon and honey into the blender. Add the juice of both limes, but be sure to zest the juice first, if preparing the mint lime sugar. Blend until well combined. Give the mixture a quick taste test to see if additional sweetener needs to be added.
- Using a fine mesh strainer, strain the watermelon mixture over a 9x9 freezer safe container.
- Freeze the watermelon juice for two or three hours, then begin the process of lightly scraping the top frozen layer with a fork. 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.
Mint Lime Sugar
- Mince the lime zest and mint leaves very finely. Toss with the sugar and a dash of salt.
- Scoop out granita into serving dish and sprinkle with a teaspoon of Mint Lime Sugar.
Stephanie
This was sooo yummy! Thank you for sharing!
Kristen Chidsey
I am so glad you enjoyed Stephanie! It is a super refreshing treat on a summer's day!
Ashley F
Mmm the flavor is so good! Love how simple this is to make!
Kristen Chidsey
I am glad you found this so simple and enjoyable.
April
This is one of my favorite summertime treats! It definitely requires patience, but it's TOTALLY worth it. We like to serve ours in martini glasses and pretend we are super fancy 😉
Kristen Chidsey
Oh I LOVE the idea of serving in Martini Glasses April--I will have to do that next time I make this!