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    Home > Recipes > Desserts and Treats

    Watermelon Cranberry Granita

    Published: Dec 8, 2016 Β· Modified: Feb 12, 2022 by Shareba Β· This post contains affiliate links, please read my disclosure policy.

    309 shares
    Jump to Recipe ↓ Support My Work πŸ’Ÿ
    6 hours 30 minutes

    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. There are tons of ideas on that website, and lots of information on the health benefits of watermelon too. You can also follow the #EatMoreWatermelon hashtag on social media to see what bloggers have made with watermelon.

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

    Watermelon Cranberry Granita

    This light and refreshing dessert is a great way to end a big meal.
    5 from 1 vote
    Created By: Shareba Abdul
    PRINT RECIPE SAVE RECIPESaved!
    PREPARATION TIME 6 hours 30 minutes
    TOTAL TIME 6 hours 30 minutes
    COURSE Dessert
    CUISINE Italian
    SERVINGS 8
    CALORIES 587

    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

    Instructions 

    • 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.
    • Strain the mixture through a sieve into a large bowl, and discard the remaining pulp and seeds.
    • Add the sugar to the watermelon juice and stir until dissolved. Then stir in cranberry juice, lime juice and bitters (if using).
    • Taste the mixture and add more sugar if required, making sure to stir until dissolved.
    • Pour into 2 rectangular bread pans, and place uncovered in the freezer.
    • Freeze the mixture until ice begins to form around edges of pan, which takes about 2 hours.
    • Scrape the mixture with a metal spoon or fork to break up the ice, then return to freezer.
    • 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.
    • 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.
    • Garnish with sugared cranberries and watermelon slices, if desired.
    • Store leftovers in the freezer for up to one week.

    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. 

    Please read the blog post for detailed tips and explanations.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 587kcal | Carbohydrates: 148g | Protein: 8g | Fat: 2g | Sodium: 17mg | Potassium: 1556mg | Fiber: 5g | Sugar: 130g | Vitamin A: 7035IU | Vitamin C: 126.6mg | Calcium: 105mg | Iron: 3.5mg

    Nutrition Disclaimer: this nutritional information is only an estimate. The accuracy of this information cannot be guaranteed.

    Have you made this recipe?Please leave a review in the comments below!

    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.

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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Nicoletta @sugarlovespices

      December 09, 2016 at 1:42 pm

      Love granita (how wouldn't I πŸ˜‰ ? 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

        December 11, 2016 at 1:18 pm

        For sure! Thanks for visiting Nicoletta πŸ™‚

        Reply
    2. Amanda Orlando

      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

        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 πŸ™‚

        Reply
    3. Lyndsay // Coco Cake Land

      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

        December 11, 2016 at 1:16 pm

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

        Reply
    4. Chef Taylor

      April 24, 2017 at 3:35 pm

      5 stars
      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

        April 25, 2017 at 12:26 am

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

        Reply

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