In Search Of Yummy-ness

  • Recipes
  • Cooking
  • Seasonal Living 🌱
  • Subscribe
  • About
menu icon
go to homepage
  • Recipes
  • Cooking
  • Seasonal Living 🌱
  • Subscribe
  • About
subscribe
search icon
Homepage link
  • Recipes
  • Cooking
  • Seasonal Living 🌱
  • Subscribe
  • About
×
In Search Of Yummy-ness » Recipes » Desserts and Treats

Watermelon Cranberry Granita

Updated: July 11, 2025 • Published: December 8, 2016 by Shareba Abdul • 8 Comments

5 from 1 vote
JUMP TO RECIPE

Share or Save for Later ⤵

309 shares
  • 155

Watermelon Cranberry Granita is light, refreshing, and easy to make!

Watermelon Cranberry Granita Recipe | InSearchOfYummyness.com

This post is sponsored by the National Watermelon Promotion Board.

Oh, Christmas. I am so not ready for you right now.

Usually, I really enjoy the Christmas music on the radio, the bedazzled displays at the mall, and all of the general merry-ness that comes along with the holiday season. But lately I've been so busy with work that I haven't really been able to enjoy it. Didn't we just finish Thanksgiving?

So when the National Watermelon Promotion Board asked me to come up with a festive watermelon recipe, I was stuck. Isn't watermelon a summer fruit anyhow? Well, no. In reality, you can actually find fresh watermelon at your favourite grocery all year! Who knew?

After a bit of brainstorming, I came up with this super cool watermelon cranberry granita recipe. (Pun totally intended!)

Watermelon Cranberry Granita | InSearchOfYummyness.com

While watermelon granita is a fairly popular recipe, it felt a bit too summery on its own. Pomegranate juice would have been nice, but I was really feeling cranberry juice for this recipe. Adding cranberry juice to the mix not only adds a nice tart flavour, but it makes the granita a bit more pink too. Win, win! A little lime juice also helps to make this light dessert extra refreshing.

This is totally going to become my go-to dessert for holiday parties. Think about it, first you're going to munch on all of those cute little appetizers. You'll tell yourself you'll just have a couple, and the next thing you know your plate if full of stuffed mushroom caps, roasted tomato crostini, and smoked salmon canapés. I'm definitely that person who fills up on the apps - they're the best part of any holiday party!

Then comes dinner, which is likely going to consist of some kind of heavy starch (probably mashed potatoes), maybe some roasted Brussels sprouts, and turkey/ham/pot roast. After all of that, everyone still wants dessert but no one really has room for it. That's where this watermelon cranberry granita is going to save the day.

This watermelon cranberry granita is genius for three reasons: First, it's super easy to make. Secondly, it's low in calories and easy on the tummy. Third, and perhaps most importantly, it's hydrating. After downing a few glasses of eggnog or mulled wine, you're going to appreciate the high water content of the watermelon in this recipe!

If you're looking for more fun watermelon recipes, you should definitely check out Watermelon.org.

This light and refreshing Watermelon Cranberry Granita is the perfect end to a heavy meal! Get the recipe at InSearchOfYummyness.com

Recipe

Created By: Shareba Abdul

Watermelon Cranberry Granita

5 from 1 vote
This light and refreshing dessert is a great way to end a big meal.
Print Recipe SaveSaved!
Prep Time 6 hours hrs 30 minutes mins
Total Time 6 hours hrs 30 minutes mins
Servings: 8
Calories: 587
Ingredients Method Nutrition Notes

Ingredients  

  • 8 cups watermelon chunks, , about half of a large watermelon
  • 2 tablespoon white sugar, , plus extra for adjusting the flavour
  • 1 cup unsweetened cranberry juice
  • 1 tablespoon lime juice
  • 2 dashes Angostura bitters, , optional

Method
 

  1. Place a few handfuls of watermelon chunks into a food processor (or a powerful blender) and process until smooth. Keep adding chunks until you've processed all of the watermelon.
  2. Strain the mixture through a sieve into a large bowl, and discard the remaining pulp and seeds.
  3. Add the sugar to the watermelon juice and stir until dissolved. Then stir in cranberry juice, lime juice and bitters (if using).
  4. Taste the mixture and add more sugar if required, making sure to stir until dissolved.
  5. Pour into 2 rectangular bread pans, and place uncovered in the freezer.
  6. Freeze the mixture until ice begins to form around edges of pan, which takes about 2 hours.
  7. Scrape the mixture with a metal spoon or fork to break up the ice, then return to freezer.
  8. Continue scraping the mixture every 30 minutes until it has completely crystallized and is granular in appearance. This should take about 3-4 hours total, depending on the depth of your pans.
  9. The granita can be kept in the freezer until ready to serve. Be sure to scrape again to loosen the ice crystals immediately before serving.
  10. Garnish with sugared cranberries and watermelon slices, if desired.
  11. Store leftovers in the freezer for up to one week.

Nutrition (per serving)

Calories: 587 kcalCarbohydrates: 148 gProtein: 8 gFat: 2 gSodium: 17 mgPotassium: 1556 mgFiber: 5 gSugar: 130 gVitamin A: 7035 IUVitamin C: 126.6 mgCalcium: 105 mgIron: 3.5 mg

Notes

Tip:
Some watermelons are sweeter than others. Be sure to taste your mixture and make sure you're happy with the level of sweetness before freezing! Also, remember that foods taste less sweet after they have been frozen.
Please note that the nutritional information for this recipe is only an estimate, and has been calculated using a plugin. 

Tried this recipe?

Let me know how it was!

Disclosure:
This post is sponsored by the National Watermelon Promotion Board.
Sponsored posts like this one provide financial support that helps me to create new content for this blog.

More Desserts and Treats

  • A slice of Trinidadian cassava pone on a green plate next to a fork.
    Cassava Pone
  • A decorated chocolate shortbread cookie on a small white plate next to Christmas ribbon and decorations.
    Chocolate Shortbread Cookies: Easy & Delicious
  • A slice of pumpkin pie made with a graham cracker crust topped with a dollop of fresh whipped cream on a matte white plate.
    Pumpkin Pie in Graham Cracker Crust
  • A white bowl with a spoon and a cobbler square topped with vanilla ice cream.
    Plum Cobbler

Comments

    Leave a Comment: Cancel reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    Rate This Recipe:




  1. Chef Taylor says

    April 24, 2017 at 3:35 pm

    I've been to the Philippines and watermelon is always least expensive there so I always have it every day aside Pina Colada while on the beach. This idea is very awesome as I need a refreshing drink and I am craving for it. Definitely, I will try this recipe. I will make this child-friendly and adult-friendly as well.

    Reply
    • Shareba says

      April 25, 2017 at 12:26 am

      Thanks for reading! I really hope you do try making this granita, it's delicious 🙂

      Reply
  2. Lyndsay // Coco Cake Land says

    December 09, 2016 at 5:13 pm

    Shareba, your photos are gorgeous! I looove anything "ice" so I just want to dive into these delicious watermelon cranberry granita!

    Reply
    • Shareba says

      December 11, 2016 at 1:16 pm

      Thanks Lyndsay! That means a lot coming from you - your work is amazing!

      Reply
  3. Amanda Orlando says

    December 09, 2016 at 3:05 pm

    I don't usually think of watermelon in the winter but you're right, it really can be found year-round. This granita recipe would be great as a dessert after a nice big Christmas meal

    Reply
    • Shareba says

      December 11, 2016 at 1:17 pm

      Totally! It's light enough that you won't feel stuffed, but you still get to enjoy something sweet 🙂

      Reply
  4. Nicoletta @sugarlovespices says

    December 09, 2016 at 1:42 pm

    Love granita (how wouldn't I 😉 ? And the use of watermelon and cranberries (plus a touch of lime) is so pretty in color and delicious in flavor. You're right, after a big meal, this refreshing granita is just the perfect ending!

    Reply
    • Shareba says

      December 11, 2016 at 1:18 pm

      For sure! Thanks for visiting Nicoletta 🙂

      Reply
A photo of Shareba Abdul, founder of In Search Of Yummy-ness.

Hi, I'm Shareba!

I’m a home cook with a culinary arts certificate who shares seasonal comfort food recipes and cozy living inspiration.

Read More About Me

Seasonal Recipes

  • Bowl of Apple Crisp with Oats and Pecans covered in a scoop of ice cream with a spoon.
    Apple Crisp with Pecans
  • A blue plate with three folded pumpkin crepes on it. The crepes are topped with chocolate syrup and chopped pecans.
    Pumpkin Crepes
  • A slice of pumpkin pie made with a graham cracker crust topped with a dollop of fresh whipped cream on a matte white plate.
    Pumpkin Pie in Graham Cracker Crust
  • Four roasted chestnuts on a baking tray with salt sprinkled on them.
    How to Roast Chestnuts in the Oven

Popular Recipes

  • A close up of a clear cup containing a mexican corn mixture.
    Mexican Corn Cups (Esquites or Elote en Vaso)
  • A square plate filled with tuna carpaccio and capers.
    Tuna Carpaccio with Lime
  • A stuffed mushroom filled with melted brie and crunchy Panko breadcrumbs.
    Stuffed Mushrooms with Brie
  • Persian rice on a green platter topped with crispy potato tahdig and tart barberries.
    Persian Rice with Potato Tahdig

Footer

In Search Of Yummy-ness Logo. Text says "In Search Of Yummy-ness".
↑ back to top

Explore

  • Recipe Index
  • Subscribe
  • Newsletter Archive
  • Links and Offers
  • My Favourite Gardening Supplies

About

  • About
  • Privacy Policy
  • Disclosures and Copyright
  • Terms of Service
  • Accessibility Policy
  • Contact

Copyright © 2025 • In Search Of Yummy-ness • All Rights Reserved • This website generates income via ads, affiliate links and sponsored posts. Which means that if you click on a product link, we may receive a commission in return. Please read our privacy policy and disclosures for more information.

Rate This Recipe

Your vote:




A rating is required
A name is required
An email is required