Cool off with this delicious watermelon granita with the unexpected flavor of ginger and lime. Perfect for a hot summer night!
If you have an abundance of watermelon, also check out this Watermelon Ice or this Crown Ruby Fruit Salad.
I originally saw this recipe on Kelsey’s Essentials on The Cooking Channel. The minute I saw Kelsey make this watermelon granita, I knew I wanted to try it. I’ve had granitas before. And I’ve seen plenty of recipes for watermelon granita this summer. But what set this one apart was the addition of ginger. I’m a big fan of ginger, especially fresh ginger, so I knew that I would absolutely love this.
And I totally did. This is so refreshing. Even though everyone is starting to talk about fall, summer is still in full swing and I need a way to cool off while the temperatures are still in the 90s. This watermelon granita with ginger and lime is so much easier to make than ice cream, and anyone can do it because it doesn’t require any special equipment. You do have to scrape it every 30 minutes, but it only takes seconds each time – this is really one of the easiest desserts you’ll ever make. Refreshing, delicious, and full of the flavors of summertime!
Ingredients
Lime Juice: You’ll want to use fresh lime juice for this recipe. You will need the zest and the juice, so zest the lime before you juice it.
Watermelon: Seedless watermelon is the best here since you are blending the fruit.
Sugar: You’ll want regular granulated sugar to make a sugar syrup.
Ginger: If you aren’t a fan of ginger, you can leave this out and you’ll have a delicious dessert. But trust me when I say that the ginger brings a whole new layer of flavor.
Salt: This is also optional, but a sprinkling of a finishing salt, like fleur de sel, brings out all of the flavors. Do not use table salt, though, you want a finishing salt.
How to Make Watermelon Granita
Combine the lime juice and the watermelon in a blender or food processor and process until smooth. Strain the mixture through a fine mesh sieve, saving the watermelon water and discarding the solids.
Combine 1/2 cup of the watermelon water with the sugar as well as the lime zest and the ginger coins. Simmer until the sugar is dissolved, then set aside to cool.
Add the grated ginger to the remaining watermelon water. Once the syrup is cooled, stir it into the watermelon water. Pour this mixture into a 9×13-inch baking dish.
Every 30 minutes, take a fork and scrape the mixture, creating small crystals. You’ll want to do this every 30 minutes for at least 2 hours.
When ready to serve, divide into portions and sprinkle on the fleur de sel, if using.
More Refreshing Summer Treats
Pineapple Dole Whip Recipe
Fruit Batido
Mango Sorbet
Pomegranate Granita
Ice Cream Bonbons
Watermelon Granita with Ginger and Lime
Ingredients
- 1/4 cup fresh lime juice
- 6 cups roughly chopped seedless watermelon
- 1/2 cup sugar
- zest from 1 lime
- 1 2-inch piece of ginger divided, 1 inch cut into coins and 1 inch peeled and grated
- fleur de sel for garnish
Instructions
- In a blender or food processor, blend together the lime juice and watermelon. Strain through a strainer, reserving liquid and discarding the solids.
- Put 1/2 cup of the watermelon water in a saucepan and add the sugar, lime zest and ginger coins. Bring the liquid to a simmer and cook until the sugar has dissolved. Set aside to cool.
- Add the grated ginger to the remaining watermelon water. When the syrup is cooled, remove the ginger and mix the syrup into the watermelon water. Pour into a 9×13-inch baking dish and set in the freezer.
- Every 30 minutes, scrape the mixture with a fork to break up the ice crystals and to keep it light and fluffy. Scrape every 30 minutes for at least 2 hours.
- Scrape the granita into glasses and garnish with the fleur de sel.
Heather of Kitchen Concoctions says
$10 dollar dinners is also one of my favs. And thanks for sharing about Kelsey’s Essentials, I had not heard of it yet and it looks like another cooking show I could get addicted to!
ALli says
I have been wanting to record that show. This recipe and your write up just had me set my Dvr.
Paper Rock Scissors says
This looks SooooooOOO good!
Joanne says
I don’t have a tv at all, let alone the cooking channel, so I have to stay in touch with the outside world via the blogosphere. This granita has such an intriguing mix of flavors!
Katrina says
Mmm perfect for this hot day!