Go Back

Watermelon Kiwi Granita

A refreshing, vibrant, and incredibly easy homemade shaved ice dessert featuring sweet watermelon and tart kiwi, perfect for beating the summer heat.
Print Recipe
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 4 hours
Total Time 4 hours 15 minutes
Servings: 6 bowls
Course: Dessert, Snack
Cuisine: American, Italian
Calories: 85
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

Granita Base
  • 6 cups watermelon seedless, cubed
  • 0.25 cup fresh lime juice about 2 limes
  • 0.33 cup granulated sugar or agave adjust to taste
  • 0.25 cup warm water
Garnish
  • 2 kiwis peeled and sliced into rounds

Equipment

  • Blender or food processor
  • 9x13 inch baking pan
  • Sturdy fork
  • Fine-mesh strainer (optional)

Method
 

  1. Dissolve the sugar in warm water to create a simple syrup, then let it cool briefly.
  2. In a blender, puree the cubed watermelon, lime juice, and simple syrup until completely smooth.
  3. Optional: Strain the liquid through a fine-mesh sieve into a bowl to remove any fibers or hidden seeds.
  4. Pour the mixture into a wide, shallow baking dish (like a 9x13 pan) and place it flat in the freezer.
  5. After 45 minutes, use a sturdy fork to scrape the frozen edges toward the center, breaking up the ice. Return to the freezer.
  6. Repeat this scraping process every 30 to 45 minutes for about 3 to 4 hours, until the mixture is entirely composed of fluffy ice crystals.
  7. Scoop the fluffy shaved ice into chilled glasses and garnish the rims with fresh slices of kiwi. Serve immediately.

Notes

If the granita freezes completely solid overnight, leave it at room temperature for 10-15 minutes, then aggressively scrape it again with a fork before serving.