Watermelon Mint & Lime Granita

This is a perfect summer cooler, an elegant and sophisticated slushy for all ages. It masterfully blends the natural sweetness of ripe watermelon with the cool aroma of mint and the bright acidity of fresh lime juice. Served scraped into a beautiful, icy texture, it's a delightful and hydrating treat. It is an ideal way to beat the heat on a sunny afternoon or serve as a unique non-alcoholic option at gatherings.
Watermelon Mint & Lime Granita

Preparation

Preparation time: 10 minutes

Preparation time
Difficulty

Drink Classification

This drink is classified as a mocktail due to its non-alcoholic nature and sophisticated flavor profile. It also falls into the frozen drink category because of its icy, granita-style preparation method.

Serving

Serve this frozen, non-alcoholic drink in a chilled coupe or martini glass to keep it cold and enhance its presentation. A serving is typically around 250-300 ml.
Serving size
250-300 ml / 8-10 oz
Alcohol content
0% ABV
Alcohol strength
Serving temperature
Frozen
Glass type
Coupe
Glass treatment
Chilled

Backstory

Granita is a semi-frozen dessert originating from Sicily, Italy, where it's traditionally made with flavors like lemon, coffee, or almond. This mocktail version adapts the classic technique of periodically scraping a freezing liquid to create its signature icy texture. It swaps traditional flavors for a modern, refreshing combination of watermelon and mint, turning a classic dessert into a contemporary mocktail.
Origin
This specific recipe is a modern creation, directly inspired by the traditional Italian granita technique from Sicily. While the method is old, the watermelon and mint flavor combination is a contemporary twist popular in recent years.

Watermelon Mint & Lime Granita

The drink is primarily known as Watermelon Mint & Lime Granita. Alternative names like Watermelon Icee or Frozen Watermelon Slush are more descriptive of its texture, highlighting its resemblance to popular frozen treats.
Original name
Watermelon Mint & Lime Granita
Alternative names
  • Watermelon Icee
  • Frozen Watermelon Slush
  • Watermelon Shaved Ice Mocktail

Characteristics overview

This drink offers a burst of summery freshness, with the sweet flavor of watermelon balanced by tart lime and cool mint. Its unique granular, icy texture and vibrant pink color make it a sensory delight.
Flavor
Sweet, fruity, zesty, minty, refreshing
Aroma
Fresh watermelon, bright mint, citrusy lime
Taste balance
Sweet, sour
Aftertaste
Clean, crisp, refreshing
Fizziness
None
Color appearance
Bright pink, crystalline, icy, semi-translucent
Texture
Icy, granular, slushy, light
Seasonality
Very refreshing, summery

Flavor intensity & Experience

The flavor is intensely fruity and refreshing, with a balanced sweet-sour profile. It is completely non-alcoholic, non-creamy, and has no carbonation.
Sweetness
Saltiness
Sourness
Bitterness
Spiciness
Fruitiness
Creaminess
Carbonation

Ingredients

The recipe requires simple, fresh ingredients: ripe seedless watermelon, fresh lime juice, and mint leaves. An optional sweetener like simple syrup can be added to taste.
  • Seedless Watermelon500 grams / approx. 4 cups, cubed
    Use a ripe, sweet watermelon for the best flavor. Chilling it beforehand can speed up the freezing process.
  • Fresh Lime Juice60 ml / 2 oz
    Freshly squeezed lime juice is highly recommended over bottled for its brighter taste.
  • Fresh Mint Leaves1/4 cup, loosely packed
    Adjust the amount of mint to your personal preference.
  • Simple Syrup15-30 ml / 0.5-1 oz(optional)
    Only add if your watermelon isn't very sweet. Agave nectar or honey (if not vegan) are good substitutes.

Ice type

  • None

Mixing equipments

You will need a blender to puree the fruit, a shallow freezer-safe dish for freezing, and a fork to scrape the mixture into its characteristic crystalline form.
  • Blender: To puree the ingredients into a smooth liquid.
  • Shallow freezer-safe dish: A 9x13 inch baking pan works well for even freezing.
  • Fork: Essential for scraping the mixture to create the granita texture.

Instructions

The process involves blending fresh watermelon, lime, and mint, then pouring it into a shallow dish to freeze. The key is to scrape the mixture with a fork every 30 minutes to create its signature light, icy texture.
1. Combine the cubed watermelon, fresh lime juice, mint leaves, and optional simple syrup in a blender.
2. Blend on high speed until the mixture is completely smooth and liquid.
3. Pour the puree into a shallow, freezer-safe dish, such as a baking pan. A larger surface area helps it freeze more evenly.
4. Place the dish in the freezer for 30-45 minutes, or until the edges begin to set and look icy.
5. Remove from the freezer and use a fork to scrape the frozen parts from the edges toward the center, breaking up the ice crystals.
6. Return the dish to the freezer. Repeat the scraping process every 30 minutes for the next 2-3 hours.
7. Continue this process until the entire mixture is frozen into a light, fluffy, and crystalline texture.
8. To serve, fluff the granita with the fork one final time and spoon it into pre-chilled coupe or martini glasses.
9. Garnish with a fresh mint sprig and a small watermelon wedge on the rim of the glass.

Garnishing

Garnish simply with a fresh sprig of mint and a small wedge of watermelon on the glass rim to complement the drink's flavors and vibrant color.
  • Fresh mint sprig: Place on top of the granita before serving for aroma and visual appeal.
  • Small watermelon wedge: Place on the rim of the glass for a classic, colorful garnish.

Dietary Information

This mocktail is suitable for a wide range of dietary needs as it is naturally vegan, gluten-free, dairy-free, and free from common allergens like nuts and soy.
✕ Contains alcohol
✓ Caffeine-free
✓ Dairy-free
✓ Egg-free
✓ Soy-free
✓ Nut-free
✓ Gluten-free
✓ Vegan-friendly
✓ Vegetarian-friendly

Nutrition information

This is a relatively low-calorie treat, with most of its carbohydrates and sugar coming naturally from the watermelon. The nutritional content will vary slightly depending on the sweetness of the fruit and any added syrup.
Calories
Averagely 80-120 kcal / 335-502 kJ
Calories level
Carbohydrates
Averagely 20-30 g
Carbohydrate level
Sugar
Averagely 18-28 g
Sugar level

Occasions

This granita is perfect for any warm-weather occasion, such as summer parties, barbecues, and poolside lounging. Its elegant presentation also makes it a great choice for brunches or as a celebratory non-alcoholic drink at events like baby showers.
  • Summer Parties
  • Barbecues
  • Poolside Lounging
  • Brunch
  • Baby Showers

Pairing suggestions

This granita pairs wonderfully with light and fresh summer foods. Its cooling properties make it an excellent accompaniment to spicy dishes, and it serves as a great palate cleanser alongside grilled meats or fresh salads.
  • Light summer salads
  • Grilled chicken or fish
  • Spicy appetizers like jalapeño poppers
  • Fresh fruit platters

The Crystalline Cooler: A Watermelon Mint & Lime Granita Experience

The Watermelon Mint & Lime Granita is a vibrant and icy mocktail perfect for hot days. It transforms simple, fresh ingredients into an elegant frozen treat using a traditional Italian technique. The process of scraping the mixture as it freezes creates a unique, crystalline texture that's both refreshing and satisfying. It's a healthy, hydrating, and beautiful drink that's sure to impress guests of all ages at any summer gathering.

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