This summer, the temperatures are getting hot, hot, hot—calling for a simple frozen dessert that doubles as a happy hour treat!
Granita is the Italian name for what we more commonly know as an 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!
Most frozen desserts, like ice cream and sorbet, are made by combining ingredients and churning them in an ice cream machine. The mixture slowly freezes, and as it churns, tiny ice crystals form to make a frozen dessert that is smooth and creamy. Granitas, on the other hand, are mixed much less frequently during freezing (and sometimes not at all, if you want to make it really easy!), which results in an icy texture that is incredibly refreshing.
Though most recipes call for the mixture to be stirred occasionally as it freezes, you can also leave the mixture in a shallow dish to freeze solid, without ever stirring. To serve, simply scrape the surface of the frozen granita mixture with a fork and transfer the shavings to a serving dish.
The red wine in our favorite summer granita recipe lends a refreshing, grown up finish, but you can use nearly any strongly-flavored liquid to flavor your granita. Concentrated juices and fresh fruit purées can all be substituted in equal parts to the wine in this recipe. Depending on the sweetness of your flavoring ingredient, you may need to reduce or increase the quantity of sugar. Trust your instincts and sweeten the granita to your preference.
Granitas stand alone as a light dessert, but they are also right at home in every course of your dinner party menu. Chef Kristin Egan says, “Granita can add a bright, cool pop of texture to a variety of dishes, from oysters on the half shell to a chocolate dessert. It’s easy to make, but needs to be plated right before your guests are going to eat it.”
Last summer was all about the frosé (a frozen rosé wine slushy drink), which was on every brunch menu from Napa to Hyde Park. With this granita recipe, you are halfway to your own red wine slushy. After it’s frozen, blend the granita with some frozen berries, then return it to the freezer to chill slightly before serving.
But don’t stop there! Make a raspberry granita and use it as the base for a refreshing champagne cocktail, or try pineapple granita with coconut rum for mini stay-cation. Or why not substitute the red with lime juice and orange liqueur for a margarita granita? Mix in some chopped mint leaves to make a mojito, and just like that – you’re in Miami!
