12 Delicious And Refreshing DIY Summer Granitas

delicious and refreshing diy summer granitas cover

Granita is the Italian name for what’s more commonly known as Italian or shaved ice. A granita requires only a few ingredients and even less equipment. If you have water, sugar, and some fruit or juice on hand, you can make a granita. What sets this apart from a sorbet is that granita has a coarse texture to it instead of being spun into a silky smooth frozen treat. The coarse texture is achieved by occasionally stirring the mixture while it’s freezing. This is a very healthy dessert, ideal for summer, let me offer you some recipes to realize.

This refreshing dessert, watermelon and mint granita, is the perfect combination of sweet melon and herbs! Perfect for a warm summers eve!

DIY mint watermelon granita (via www.ijustmakesandwiches.com)

DIY mint watermelon granita (via www.ijustmakesandwiches.com)

This basil berry granita is cross between a slushy and sorbet. It’s made with watermelon, mixed berries,   fresh basil leaves, and a hint of honey. It’s loaded with immune-boosting antioxidants, and it makes a great healthy dessert to enjoy.

DIY basil berry granita (via www.theharvestkitchen.com)

DIY basil berry granita (via www.theharvestkitchen.com)

Strawberry orange granita is a refreshing Italian frozen dessert with a coarse, flaky consistency. You make it by hand, rather than churning it in an ice cream maker, so no special tools are required!

DIY strawberry orange granita (via www.goodlifeeats.com)

DIY strawberry orange granita (via www.goodlifeeats.com)

This granita con panna embodies the essence of many traditional Italian foods – simple, thoughtfully prepared components and flavors, crafted together to create a final dish that is so much greater than the sum of its parts. The expresso granita’s powerful, bitter notes complement the faint sweetness of the cream to fashion a dessert that is refreshing, yet rich, without being too sugary.

DIY coffee granita whipped cream (via www.allonseat.com)

DIY coffee granita whipped cream (via www.allonseat.com)

Grapefruit + pear granita: with only three ingredients and no refined sugar, this has to be the easiest dessert to make this summer. Not to mention that it all comes together in a snap right in the blender.  Basically, the most refreshing dessert you will ever eat and also a great way to take advantage of grapefruit season.

DIY grapefruit pear granita (via www.adventuregathereat.com)

DIY grapefruit pear granita (via www.adventuregathereat.com)

The granita is a frozen fruit juice dessert, very similar to a fresh, flavorful snowcone. This recipe doesn’t require any stovetop work or an ice cream maker, or even a cone. You’ll just need a hand juicer, ice cube trays and a muddler, or the handle of a wooden spoon to punish those granita cubes into submission.

DIY easy lemon granita (via www.foodbanjo.com)

DIY easy lemon granita (via www.foodbanjo.com)

This cucumber lime granita with spicy mango kick is totally vegan, gluten free and a total refresher on a hot summer day.

DIY cucumber lime spicy mango granita (via www.abbeyskitchen.com)

DIY cucumber lime spicy mango granita (via www.abbeyskitchen.com)

Frosty, fruity and delicious, this raspberry watermelon rosé granita is the perfect happy hour or hot summer evening cocktail. A handful of sweet summery fruits and a squeeze of fresh lime juice to balance it out and a tasty summer wine is ready to go cocktail-ing! Scoop up the icy treat and serve it as-is, or top it with a bit of sparkling water, wine or Prosecco for a fun, bubbly drink.

DIY watermelon rose granita (via www.bourbonandhoney.com)

DIY watermelon rose granita (via www.bourbonandhoney.com)

Frozen fruit desserts are the perfect end of any summertime meal. This fresh strawberry granita is so satisfying with the flavors of ripe, juicy strawberries slowly melting in your mouth! All you need is three ingredients to make this refreshing dessert:  strawberries, lemon and sugar.

DIY fresh strawberry granita (via www.marilenaskitchen.com)

DIY fresh strawberry granita (via www.marilenaskitchen.com)

This red wine sangria granita is a colder, slushy-er version of that Spanish sangria.  The ice crystals melt on your tongue and the sweetness of the orange and strawberry linger long after. It’s basically a boozy slushie for adults that melts into another boozy drink, so 2 birds 1 stone? You’re welcome!

DIY red wine sangria granita (via www.littlekitchenbigworld.com)

DIY red wine sangria granita (via www.littlekitchenbigworld.com)

This black grape & ginger granita, an Italian-style flavored ice, will provide a light cooling crunch as we make our way through these lingering steamy days of summer.

DIY black grape ginger granita (via https:)

DIY black grape ginger granita (via https:)

Peach tea simmered in a simple syrup, kicked up with a few squeezes of fresh lemon juice, a hit of mint, then frozen and fluffed into a grown-up slushie that you won’t be able to get enough of. This granita is a showstopper in the looks and taste department, and people will never believe how easy it was to make.

DIY peach tea granita (via www.kitchentrials.com)

DIY peach tea granita (via www.kitchentrials.com)