Granita is one of the best desserts on hot days. It’s cool, refreshing, and easy to make. You only need fruit, sugar, and water to make it.
Contents
Red White and Blue Granita Recipe
Granita is a traditional Italian frozen dessert. It’s known for its light, flaky texture and refreshing qualities. It is typically made from three simple ingredients: fruit (or another flavorful liquid), water, and sugar. The base can be fruit juice, purée, herbal infusions, espresso, or even spirits.
Unlike kakigori shaved ice, the fruit granita is not made from ice cubes. The liquid mixture is poured into a shallow container and frozen, then scraped with a fork every 30 minutes. This process creates larger, flaky ice crystals.
Granita is especially popular in Sicily. It is traditionally enjoyed as a refreshing summer treat or even as part of breakfast. You can pair it with a brioche bun, whipped cream, crème fraîche, or ricotta.
Granita also works as a palate cleanser, like tomato and basil granita served as an appetizer. It can be layered with ice cream or sorbet for texture contrast.
For my granita, I used coconut milk, watermelon and blueberry juice. Here’s how to make the Red White and Blue Fruit Granita:
Red, White and Blue Fruit Granita
Nutrition
Ingredients
Red Layer
- 2 cups watermelon cubed and seeds removed
- 1 tbsp sugar
- 1 tbsp lime juice
White Layer
- 1 cup coconut milk light or regular
- 2 tbsp sugar
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
Blue Layer
- 1 tbsp dried butterfly pea flowers or 1 tea bag
- 1 cup hot water
- 1 tbsp honey or maple syrup
- A few blueberries for garnish
Instructions
Prepare the Mixtures
- In a blender, purée the watermelon, sugar, and lime juice. Pour into a shallow dish.
- In a bowl, mix the coconut milk, sugar, and vanilla extract. Pour into a second shallow dish.
- Steep the butterfly pea flowers (or tea bag) in hot water for about 5 minutes or until vibrant blue.
- Strain and stir in honey. Let the mixture cool completely and pour into a third shallow dish.
Freeze the mixture
- Place all three dishes in the freezer at the same time.
- After 1 hour, use a fork to scrape and break up the ice crystals.
- Repeat every 30 minutes for about 2 hours, or until each granita is frozen and fluffy.
Serve
- Scoop a layer of each granita (red, white, blue) into clear serving glasses for a festive look.
- Garnish with fresh blueberries.
- Serve immediately or freeze for up to an hour before serving.
Notes
- To enhance the flavor, add a few mint leaves to the watermelon blend.
- For a festive touch, use clear glasses to show off the red, white, and blue layers.
SIMILAR RECIPES:
Variations
Here are some notable variations of the Red White and Blue Granita:
- Tropical Granita:
- Blend mango with lime juice for the yellow layer.
- Mix coconut milk with a hint of pineapple for the white layer.
- Purée kiwi with a splash of lemon for the green layer.
- Berry Blast Granita:
- Combine raspberries and strawberries for the red layer.
- Use Greek yogurt and honey for the creamy white layer.
- Blend blackberries and blueberries for the dark blue layer.
- Citrus Medley Granita:
- Blend oranges with a dash of ginger for the orange layer.
- Mix lemon juice with a bit of sugar for the yellow layer.
- Purée grapefruits for a pink layer.
- Coffee and Cream Granita:
- Brew strong coffee and sweeten for the coffee layer.
- Whisk cream with a touch of vanilla for the white layer.
- Blend chocolate milk for the mocha layer.
- Melon Trio Granita:
- Purée watermelon for the red layer.
- Blend honeydew for the green layer.
- Mix cantaloupe with a hint of mint for the orange layer.