Lemon Granita
A classic Italian semi-frozen dessert with a bright, zesty lemon flavor. This refreshing treat has a light, crystalline texture that melts in your mouth, making it perfect for a hot day.
An original recipe by Forkin
- Total time
- 3 hr 45 min
- Serves
- 4
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Per serving
- 157 kcal
Mise en place
Ingredients
Converted for display; the recipe amounts stay equivalent.
Ingredients
- 500 mlwater
- 150 ggranulated sugar
- 1 tbsplemon zest, from about 2 lemons
- 200 mllemon juice, freshly squeezed
garnish
- 4 pcsmint, sprigs(optional)
Equipment
citrus juicer · freezer-safe dish · saucepan · fork · fine-mesh sieve · mixing bowl · whisk
The method
Step by step
- 1
In a small saucepan, combine the water and granulated sugar.
About 1 min
- 2
Heat over medium, stirring until the sugar is fully dissolved. Add the lemon zest and bring the mixture to a simmer for one minute.
About 4 min
- 3
Remove the pan from the heat and let the syrup cool completely to room temperature, which will take about 30 minutes.
About 30 min
Cook’s note: To cool the syrup faster, you can place the saucepan in a larger bowl filled with ice and water.
- 4
Pour the cooled syrup through a fine-mesh sieve into a bowl to remove the zest, then stir in the fresh lemon juice.
About 10 min
- 5
Pour the mixture into a shallow, freezer-safe dish, such as a 20x20cm metal or glass baking pan.
About 1 min
Cook’s note: A metal pan will help the granita freeze faster than a glass one.
- 6
Place the dish in the freezer for 45 minutes, or until you see ice crystals forming around the edges.
About 45 min
- 7
Use a fork to vigorously scrape the frozen parts from the edges and bottom, breaking them up and mixing them into the slushy center.
About 2 min
- 8
Return the dish to the freezer. Repeat the scraping process every 30 minutes for another 2 to 2.5 hours.
About 2 hr 10 min
Cook’s note: Set a timer to remind you to scrape, as this is key to getting the right crystalline texture.
- 9
Once the entire mixture is frozen and has a granular texture, fluff it with a fork and serve immediately in chilled glasses, garnished with mint sprigs if desired.
About 2 min
Per serving
Nutrition
- Calories
- 157.3kcal
- Protein
- 0.3g
- Carbs
- 41.2g
- Fat
- 0.1g
- Fibre
- 0.4g
- Sugar
- 38.8g
Estimated from the recipe’s ingredient quantities. Values can vary with brands and substitutions.
Keep it good
Store leftovers in a sealed, freezer-safe container in the freezer.
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