Lemon, orange, tangerine, coffee, melon, and strawberry granitas – 6 of the best Italian dessert recipes

If you're unsure what to make on a hot summer day, try a refreshing Sicilian dessert – granita. This delicacy makes a wonderful treat for both children and adults.

In this collection, I'll discuss the nuances of granita preparation and share the most successful and interesting recipes. By the end of this article, you'll learn how to make lemon, melon, tangerine, and strawberry granitas, a cold coffee-based dessert, and a healthy treat made with green tea, honey, and ginger.

Granite: what is it?

Granita is a traditional Italian dessert consisting of crushed, flavored ice with sugar. Unlike sorbet or gelato, granita has a coarser, crystalline texture. Its consistency can vary. For example, in some cities in Italy, granita is served as a drink-like treat, while in others, it resembles a smooth, melted ice cream.

Traditionally, granita consists of three main ingredients: water, sugar, and natural flavoring. In a dish prepared according to the classic recipe, the sugar content is no more than 20-25%. Therefore, this delicacy is ideal for those on a diet and watching their nutrition.

In Sicily, granita is used not only as a stand-alone dish. For example, the lemon dessert is often added to tea, mineral water, or beer, while the coffee granita is often added to iced coffee.

Granita is typically served in clear glass bowls. Italians most often eat it for breakfast with fresh, crispy buns made with yeast dough and eggs.

Lemon Granita: A Recipe for a Classic Italian Dessert

Cold Dessert Recipe: Mandarin Granita

Granita can be made with a variety of fruits, berries, and citrus fruits. Why not make a tangerine treat? This dessert will appeal to lovers of aromatic citrus fruits. Granita is super easy to make! Just three ingredients and this refreshing fruit ice cream is ready!

Ingredients

• Tangerines - 1 kg
• Sugar - 100-150 g
• Juice of half a lime
• Olive oil - 1 tbsp.

Cooking time: 2-3 hours

Servings: 5-7

Step-by-step recipe

Step 1

We peel the tangerines, remove the white veins and seeds.

Step 2

Grind using a blender.

Step 3

Strain through a sieve. To make the granita, you only need the tangerine juice.

Step 4

Add sugar. Stir.

Step 5

Squeeze out the lime juice.

Step 6

Pour in olive oil.

Step 7

Pour the mixture into a wide container. The shallower the container, the better. Place it in the freezer and let it set completely.

Step 8

Using a spoon, divide the resulting mixture into portions and serve.

Strawberry Granita

If you can't travel to Italy to try authentic Sicilian strawberry granita, you can make it at home. It's quite simple, and the result will exceed all expectations, offering an unforgettable taste experience.

Ingredients

• Strawberries - 400 g
• Sugar - 100 g
• Water - 100 g
• Lemon juice - 2 tbsp
• Mint for decoration

Cooking time: 7-8 hours

Servings: 5-7

Step-by-step recipe

Step 1

Prepare the necessary ingredients. Wash the strawberries and remove the stems.

Step 2

Place the strawberries in a blender. Add sugar.

Step 3

Grind until smooth. Pour into a deep container.

Step 4

Add water and lemon juice. Mix well.

Step 5

Place the mixture in the freezer. Every 30 minutes, remove the mixture from the freezer and stir thoroughly.

Step 6

After 5-6 hours, the granita will have acquired the desired texture. It's now ready to serve, spooned into individual bowls and garnished with mint leaves.

Coffee Granita Recipe

Even seasoned coffee lovers find themselves giving up their favorite beverage in the heat. In this recipe, I'll show you how to refresh yourself with coffee in the summer. I suggest making coffee ice cream with cold whipped cream. It's very easy and simple to make, the only problem is making too much at once, because you'll want more. For a savory twist, you can add lemon zest, cinnamon, vanilla, or chocolate to the coffee granita.

Ingredients

• Ground coffee - 6 tsp.
• Sugar - 5 tsp.
• Water - 300 ml
• Cream 33% - 200-250 ml
• Powdered sugar - 1 tbsp.
• Chocolate, lemon zest, cinnamon - optional

Cooking time: 4-5 hours

Servings: 5-6

Step-by-step recipe

Step 1

Prepare brewed coffee. Pour coffee into a Turkish coffee pot, add sugar, and pour in water.

Step 2

Bring to a boil. Remove from heat.

Step 3

Cool the coffee to room temperature. Then pour it into a wide container, previously chilled in the freezer.

Step 4

Place the container with coffee back into the freezer for 40-60 minutes until ice forms.

Step 5

Using a fork, crush the resulting ice and return it to the freezer. Repeat this process several times, every 40-60 minutes, until the ice takes on a fine, snow-like crystalline structure.

Step 6

Prepare the cream for decoration. Pour the cream into a deep bowl and beat with powdered sugar until thickened.

Step 7

Let's begin decorating the dessert. Pre-chill small bowls in the freezer. Place the coffee granita in them, top with whipped cream, and sprinkle with grated chocolate, cinnamon, or lemon zest (optional).

Honey Granita with Green Tea: A Cold Reliever Recipe

Granita made with fresh berries and fruits is a true treasure trove of vitamins. The mixture is not heat-treated during preparation, thereby preserving the beneficial properties of its ingredients. I suggest making a honey granita with green tea. The dessert will be not only delicious but also truly healthy, especially if you add a little ginger.

Ingredients

• Green tea - 4 bags
• Honey - 1/2 tsp.
• Ginger (ground or fresh) - 1 tsp.
• Lemon - 1-2 pcs.

Cooking time: 2-3 hours

Servings: 4-5

Step-by-step recipe

Step 1

In a deep container, brew tea bags.

Step 2

Pour in honey.

Step 3

Add chopped lemon and ginger. Stir.

Step 4

Strain the mixture and place it in the freezer for 2 hours until frozen.

Step 5

Honey granita is ready!

Granita is incredibly versatile – it can be made with berries, fruits, and drinks. Be sure to try making this Sicilian dessert yourself and share your thoughts on it in the comments.

Video: Melon Granita by Yulia Vysotskaya

If you're looking to make a delicious, flavorful granita to impress your family and friends, try making it with melon. For a more vibrant and piquant flavor, renowned food blogger Yulia Vysotskaya recommends adding a squeeze of lime juice.

This dessert will quench your thirst in the summer heat and makes a great snack. Plus, the melon will fill you with vitamins and energy. Granita is a wonderful way to feed children healthy foods they'll enjoy. By making this dessert with Yulia Vysotskaya, you'll not only get a delicious dish but also be filled with her positive energy.