Summer isn’t Summer until the first melons appear at the farmer’s market. This frozen Watermelon Granita promises to keep you cool and refreshed. When the temperature rises, our bodies need more to stay hydrated. Watermelon is 92% water, so it’s an excellent replenishment source. Interesting co-incidence this high water fruit happens to grow during the hottest part of the year, right? In addition to a high-water content, watermelons also drip with nutrients including Vitamin C, Vitamin B, Lycopene, and Beta Carotene.
To take advantage of summer’s gift, I made this frozen minted basil watermelon granita. It’s delicious, but do you know the problem with frozen desserts? When it’s hotter than a fritter outside, this southern girl can tell you that they melt faster than grease on a hot skillet.
Of course, I could just eat inside, but what’s the fun in that? I want to sit outdoors and enjoy the summer sun.
Slowing the Watermelon Granita Melt
While the martini chiller isn’t required to make this yummy summertime watermelon granita, the glass is both elegant and practical. You fill the bottom with ice, and it keeps your Minted Basil Watermelon Granita from melting longer!
I will probably use my new martini chiller the next time I make my Banana Pecan Ice Cream or Chocolate Banana Italian Ice – or a nice mint julep.
The glass is a lightweight, lead-free, crystal. The bowl is a sturdy glass bowl designed to hold ice. The glass just rests in the ice-filled bowl. What a neat concept!
Recipe Video
Here’s a quick video showing just how easy it is to make this!
Make the most of summer melon with this refreshing Minted Basil Watermelon Granita.
Combine water, honey, lime juice, mint, and basil in a saucepan.
Bring to a boil. Simmer 2 minutes and remove from heat. Allow to cool.
Pour all ingredients into a blender and blend. Alternatively, combine all ingredients in large bowl and blend with a stick blender.
Pour blended mixture into a baking dish. Cover with plastic wrap.
Freeze 4 hours or overnight.
Use a fork to rake through granita and break up.
Serve in individual bowls. Garnish with fresh mint.
Serving Size 1/4 recipe
Servings 4
- Amount Per Serving
- Calories 100
- % Daily Value *
- Total Fat 1g2%
- Cholesterol 0mg
- Sodium 2mg1%
- Potassium 200mg6%
- Total Carbohydrate 25g9%
- Dietary Fiber 1g4%
- Sugars 23g
- Protein 1g2%
- Vitamin A 20%
- Vitamin C 27%
- Calcium 2%
- Iron 3%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily value may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.
Ingredients
Directions
Combine water, honey, lime juice, mint, and basil in a saucepan.
Bring to a boil. Simmer 2 minutes and remove from heat. Allow to cool.
Pour all ingredients into a blender and blend. Alternatively, combine all ingredients in large bowl and blend with a stick blender.
Pour blended mixture into a baking dish. Cover with plastic wrap.
Freeze 4 hours or overnight.
Use a fork to rake through granita and break up.
Serve in individual bowls. Garnish with fresh mint.
Alicia Taylor
We enjoy hosting parties and my husband and I are both avid gamers. You can find me on PS4 as SunshineFlaGirl. We also play tabletop RPGs and eurogames.
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55 Comments
Rebecca
July 10, 2017 - 2:09 pmWhat a wonderfully refreshing treat. I love watermelon so this is something i would so enjoy trying.
Wildish Jess
June 26, 2017 - 5:13 pmThis is a lot going on in a glass. I’m curious to know what it tastes like.
Mardene Carr
June 24, 2017 - 7:38 amThis looks so delicious and great for those hot evenings. I love the color combination
Alicia Taylor
June 26, 2017 - 2:33 pmI finished the last of it last night – yummy to the last!
Elizabeth
June 21, 2017 - 6:49 pmWow! This looks amazing. I’ll have to make myself one of these during this upcoming weekend.
Alicia Taylor
June 22, 2017 - 11:19 amIt really is easy and delicious.
Nati
June 20, 2017 - 4:29 pmThis sounds so refreshing! I need to try it this summer !
Nadine Cathleen
June 19, 2017 - 3:02 amThis looks perfect for summer! So refreshing and yummy!
Blair Villanueva
June 18, 2017 - 10:24 pmThis is something new and very fun to prepare. My friends will love it too!
Emmmmerz
June 18, 2017 - 7:14 pmOooh; where was this when we lived in New Mexico! It would have been divine to make and have on the hot afternoons there.
Alicia Taylor
June 19, 2017 - 12:47 pmDo you not have watermelon in New Mexico? I hope you have it where you are now. This is so easy to make and delicious, too.
Krystal // The Krystal Diaries
June 18, 2017 - 5:39 pmThis looks so good! It seems so refreshing too, I have to try it.
Anosa
June 18, 2017 - 12:26 amThis is new to me. I think I have never tried this one yet. Will be saving this recipe and try. I am interested on how it will turn out.
Eric || The Bucket List Project
June 17, 2017 - 9:45 amInteresting. I’m not the biggest watermelon fan but that looks very refreshing on a hot summer night. My dad can’t eat ice cream so he would love this
Charlotte
June 17, 2017 - 8:59 amThis looks so delicious and unique. I don’t think we have Watermelon Granita in the Philippines, so it’s a shame.
The Brainy Mama
June 17, 2017 - 7:26 amI love that martini chiller! It’s absolutely perfect for summer days. Also, you gave watermelon an interesting twist.
elizabeth o
June 17, 2017 - 2:34 amThat looks like the perfect refresher drink for the summer. I love adding mint to my fruit and vegetable smoothies and it adds a nice touch.
teamrakbo
June 16, 2017 - 9:35 pmThis looks so super cool. Will try make it sometime this weekend. Thanks for sharing 🙂
faithhopelove627
June 16, 2017 - 4:32 pmI love anything watermelon. This looks cool and refreshing. I will definitely give this a try this summer.
Jennifer
June 16, 2017 - 4:28 pmMinted Basil Watermelon Granita sounds like a very refreshing summer drink! I love iced drinks and I also love drinks with mint. This is something I’d love to try!
Alicia Taylor
June 16, 2017 - 4:47 pmUnless you let it melt, it’s not a drink. It’s a dessert 😀
Azlin Bloor (@AzlinBloor)
June 16, 2017 - 2:13 pmOh my goodness, this sounds sooo amazing! I can just picture serving a big bowl of this at my summer parties!
beccajtalbot
June 16, 2017 - 1:45 pmJust to title of this recipe has my mouth watering, so don’t get me started on the pics!! And the video… mmmmm! x
toastycritic
June 16, 2017 - 12:15 pmMint and watermelon in some form of ice format sounds absolutely amazing to me. It would be the perfect refreshing treat for the hot summer weather we are having.
natalielovesbeauty
June 16, 2017 - 12:10 pmI would love this! Watermelon is my favourite fruit and I really enjoy anything with basil in it.
Kristen from The Road to Domestication
June 16, 2017 - 10:51 amOoo, that looks delish! I sure do love fun summer treats like this! Especially here in HOT Florida!
Candy
June 16, 2017 - 9:58 amOh my goodness! This looks absolutely AMAZING! I’m about to print this recipe off and make it this weekend!
Nicole Caudle
June 16, 2017 - 7:15 amThis looks delicious. Perfect for the Friday and Saturday nights sitting outside!! I’m definitely going to try this tonight!
lex
June 16, 2017 - 5:35 amlike the bright colour of this as most bright coloured meals give me large appetite to eat more, yummy and sure good delight this is. thanks for the recipe and guide.
Ang
June 16, 2017 - 12:19 amThis looks yummy! I can’t wait to try it this summer.
Cynthia Nicoletti
June 15, 2017 - 8:52 pmThis looks delicious and refreshing. I love the glass set you use it is so nice to serve from.
Crystal
June 15, 2017 - 6:24 pmThis looks so delicious, I love watermelon flavored drinks. Great drink to make for a hot sunny afternoon.
Alicia Taylor
June 15, 2017 - 6:25 pmYep – but this isn’t a drink unless you let it melt
Davi @ Homegrown Simplicity
June 15, 2017 - 5:05 pmThis sounds so refreshing- especially for summer. It’s way different than something I would normally make, but I can’t wait to try it!
Sondra Barker
June 15, 2017 - 4:52 pmThat looks really refreshing. I will have to try this one at home, doesn’t seem like its too many steps.
Alicia Taylor
June 15, 2017 - 6:26 pmIt’s really easy
Alayna
June 15, 2017 - 3:32 pmThis seems like a great healthy alternative to a lot of frozen treats. Definitely going to try!
kellyhutchinson37920
June 15, 2017 - 3:17 pmThis looks like such a refreshing treat for these hot summer days. And I just bought a watermelon!
Tiffany @ Parsnips + Pastries
June 15, 2017 - 3:08 pmThis looks perfect for the summer! I love refreshing watermelon granita and I also love using fresh herbs in desserts. Great post!
Alicia Taylor
June 15, 2017 - 3:16 pmThank you!
Words of a Texas Nerd
June 15, 2017 - 2:35 pmThis looks awesome!
Alicia Taylor
June 15, 2017 - 2:45 pmYep – it really is
raisingyourpetsnaturally
June 15, 2017 - 10:26 amThis looks perfect for a day like today. It’s hot here. My air is out and the air guy can’t get here soon enough. I’d love this!
Alicia Taylor
June 15, 2017 - 12:07 pmYep – Sounds like a great day for it!
nlampert
June 15, 2017 - 7:34 amThis sounds like the perfect healthy summer dessert. I love the combination of watermelon and mint.
Carol Cassara
June 15, 2017 - 7:23 amThat looks amazing and it would be so nice to make this for the summer. Watermelon has always been refreshing and I’ve always liked combining it with basil!
lorena victoria perez murcia
June 15, 2017 - 2:21 amwow look so refresh and so easy to do. hopefully weather is better this weekend at London I need to prepare them will be
Samantha
June 15, 2017 - 12:34 amThis looks yummy! The martini chiller makes it look fancy. It would be great for parties!
Nandita
June 14, 2017 - 11:58 pmThat’s a really nutritious and refreshing way to stay cool. The martini chiller makes it look so professional…going to get one 🙂
Alicia Taylor
June 15, 2017 - 12:07 pmI hope you enjoy it! It’s totally awesome and useful.
livanies86
June 14, 2017 - 11:08 pmwow that looks amazing! and it´s so perfect for summer
Cassie
June 14, 2017 - 10:50 pmWhat a delicious combination of flavours! I could so go one of these right now!
Claudia
June 14, 2017 - 8:45 pmOh this is absolutely perfect for the summer! Great to refresh while in the pool
Odette
June 14, 2017 - 4:03 pmThe martini chiller is cool concept, but doesn’t holding the glass make your hands chilly from the ice?
Alicia Taylor
June 14, 2017 - 4:16 pmActually, not really – you lift the glass out of the bowl as your eat it – and it’s no colder than holding a glass of ice tea.