Italian Lemon Ice Granita
Cool, refreshing, and bursting with zesty citrus flavor, this Italian Lemon Ice Granita is the ultimate summer treat! Made with just a handful of simple ingredients—water, sugar, freshly squeezed lemon juice, and fragrant lemon zest—this no-churn frozen dessert is delightfully easy to prepare. The granita's signature texture is achieved through a simple freezing-and-scraping method that creates light, fluffy ice crystals, perfect for a heatwave or a refreshing palate cleanser after a rich meal. Garnished with fresh mint leaves, this vibrant lemon granita is as visually stunning as it is delicious. Ready in just a few steps, it’s a quintessential taste of Italy that transforms everyday ingredients into a sophisticated, crowd-pleasing dessert.
Log this recipe in SnapCalorie
Recipe Information
Ingredients
- 500 ml Water
- 150 g Granulated sugar
- 120 ml Lemon juice (freshly squeezed)
- 1 tablespoon Lemon zest
- 5 pieces Fresh mint leaves (optional, for garnish)
Instructions
In a medium saucepan, combine the water and granulated sugar. Place the saucepan over medium heat and stir until the sugar has completely dissolved. This should take about 3-5 minutes. Remove from heat and let the mixture cool for a few minutes.
Once the sugar syrup has cooled slightly, add the freshly squeezed lemon juice and lemon zest. Stir well to combine.
Pour the mixture into a shallow, freezer-safe dish (such as a baking dish). Place the dish in the freezer for 30 minutes.
After 30 minutes, use a fork to scrape and stir the granita mixture, breaking up any ice crystals that are forming. Return the dish to the freezer.
Repeat the process of scraping and stirring every 30 minutes for a total of 3-4 hours, or until the granita has a fluffy, slushy texture. The goal is to break up all large ice crystals into fine grains.
Once the granita is ready, spoon it into serving glasses or bowls. Garnish with fresh mint leaves, if desired, and serve immediately.
Nutrition Facts
Calories |
605 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 0.2 g | 0% | |
| Saturated Fat | 0.0 g | 0% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 0.0 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 0 mg | 0% | |
| Sodium | 17 mg | 1% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 160.5 g | 58% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 1.6 g | 6% | |
| Total Sugars | 153.1 g | ||
| Protein | 0.7 g | 1% | |
| Vitamin D | 0.0 mcg | 0% | |
| Calcium | 56 mg | 4% | |
| Iron | 0.2 mg | 1% | |
| Potassium | 150 mg | 3% | |
*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
