SUPER refreshing Watermelon Granita Mocktail – or hey, cocktail, if you want – coming your way!

wine glass with watermelon granita, mint, and a lime with a spoon

Let’s start here: it’s August. The temperatures keep rising. The sun keeps shining (YES!!!) and juicy, sweet watermelons are on highway farmstands every which way you look. Ok, or they’re on sale in your local grocery store.

Regardless of where you buy your fresh farm-grown watermelon, the season is here, my friends. And now we need approximately ALL of the watermelon recipes we can find because we need to mix it up, right?

overhead watermelon granita mocktail

I’m a sucker for the basics: chilled watermelon after a hot day in the sun. But it’s about time to expand my summer ways. Insert: Watermelon Granita Mocktail.

This watermelon recipe is perfect because it’s basically three-recipes-in-one. Granita? Check. Mocktail? Check. Cocktail? Check.

While it’s written out as a mocktail – because we all need a little refresher after a day in the heat – you can easily turn it into a cocktail! Add a splash of vodka for a watermelon vodka cocktail, or some tequila for a little “watermelon margarita” type action. Really, add whatever, and it’s gonna be gooooood.

I know, I can hear you asking now…

watermelon mocktail for summer in a wine glass

What is Granita?

Granita is a simple, refreshing dessert consisting of water, sugar, and some fruit (or flavorings, but we’re au natural here). It becomes semi-frozen and slightly crystallized. Think Italian Ice + sorbet.

watermelon granita in serving bowl with spoon

While it’s super easy to make, it does require a bit of time to freeze up.

  1. Blend the ingredients together.
  2. Place in a 9×13 baking dish (or shallow dish) and freeze.
  3. Use a fork to move around about every 30 minutes for 2 hours.
  4. Enjoy!
watermelon and ingredients in blender

See, that’s easy! The timing is important though. “Raking” the granita with a fork helps break it up and allows it to freeze into a slushy mixture, opposed to it freezing into one large brick.

watermelon granita in baking dish with raking

Which brings me to the next point: it’s best to serve after 2-3 hours of raking… otherwise, it does freeze into a large brick. 🙂 If you’re curious about storage, I recommend keeping it frozen (obviously) and letting it sit at room temperature to soften a bit before serving.

The Easy Mocktail

You can 100% grab a spoon and eat the granita-like ice cream. And I’m in full support of that.

wine glass with watermelon granita, mint, and a lime with a spoon

But when you want a fun drink, without alcohol, this mocktail is the way to go. It’ll leave you feeling extra fancy because of the watermelon granita, yet you’ll love how easy it comes together.

Do you know what you add? Lime sparkling water. Or really, any kind of sparkling water – as long as it’s one you love. The bubbles add the perfect fizz, making the watermelon granita sparkle to life.

watermelon granita in wine glass with lime seltzer water being poured into it

I’m suggesting the lime because a little lime-watermelon action is extra refreshing. A bit tart, a bit sweet, and a whole lotta goodness.

If you want a little spike, we already talked about adding a splash of vodka or tequila, but easily replace the sparkling water with a sparkling rosè for a super fun, bubbly treat!

wine glass with watermelon granita, mint, and a lime with a spoon

Whichever route you choose, this easy mocktail/cocktail watermelon granita recipe is going to hit the spot on hot summer days!

wine glass with watermelon granita, mint, and a lime with a spoon
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Get the Recipe Watermelon Granita Mocktail

Prep: 5 minutes
Servings: 4 -6 servings
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A simple mocktail with refreshing and sweet iced Watermelon Granita topped with sparking lime water – or a flavor of your choice! Top with sparkling rosè for a spiked beverage!

Ingredients

  • 5-6 cups watermelon, cubed
  • 1/2 lemon, juiced
  • 1/2 cup granulated sugar
  • 3 cups ice, divided
  • 2-4 cans sparkling lime flavored water, or flavor of choice

Instructions
 

  • In a blender, add watermelon, lemon juice, sugar, and 2 cups of ice. Blend until roughly combined (ice chunks are ok!). Add the remaining cup of ice and blend until smooth.
  • Pour into a shallow pan (9×13 works great) and put in the freezer. After 30 minutes, take a fork and rake the mixture. Repeat after 1 hour, and again 30 minutes to an hour later. When ready, the mixture will be frozen like a slushy, but not solid. 
  • Scoop into a cup and top with your desired amount of sparking water for a refreshing mocktail! You can also enjoy the granita on its own like a sorbet. 

Notes

Store watermelon granita in the freezer; it will harden up, so the next time you want to enjoy it, let it sit on the counter for a few minutes to soften up enough to serve it. Best if eaten when fresh. 
Course: Beverage
Author: Becca Mills
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