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Watermelon Granita and Watermelon Soda

A delicious summer treat made with the King of the summer fruit - Watermelon
5 from 3 votes
Print Recipe
Prep Time 30 minutes
Cook Time 2 hours
Total Time 2 hours 30 minutes
Course Dessert, Drinks
Cuisine American, Italian
Servings 6 servings

Equipment

  • Blender
  • Chefs knife
  • Fine mesh strainer
  • 9 x 13-inch metal baking pan
  • wooden spoon
  • fork for scraping

Ingredients
  

For the Granita

  • 4 to 5 cups cubed seedless watermelon chunks for both granita and soda
  • 1/4 cup freshly squeezed lime juice about 2 limes
  • 1 handful fresh mint or to taste
  • 1 tsp pure vanilla extract

For the Soda

  • 4 to 5 cups cubed seedless watermelon chunks from a 5 pound melon
  • 1 cup fresh squeezed lemon juice about 5 lemons
  • 1 tsp pure vanilla extract
  • 3/4 cup simple syrup
  • 1 handful mint or to taste

Instructions
 

  • For the Granita - Puree all ingredients in a blender until smooth. Strain through a fine mesh sieve. Pour into a 9 x 13-inch metal baking pan. Freeze mixture for 1 hour. Stir and scrape with a fork, mashing any frozen parts. Cover and freeze mixture until firm, about 2 hours. Using a fork, scrape granita vigorously to form soft fluffy flavor crystals. DO AHEAD: Can be made 3 days ahead. Cover tightly with foil and keep frozen. Give it a quick scrape before serving. Optional-top granita with whipped cream or place ice cream or frozen yogurt at the bottom of a frosted glass and top with granita. Add a shot of hootch, rum or vodka for an adult granita.
  • For the Soda - Pulse watermelon, lemon juice, mint, vanilla and 3/4 cup simple syrup (optional) in a blender or food processor until pureed. Pour into fine mesh strainer and let stand for 20 minutes or until juice has drained through. Refrigerate. Combine 75% juice and 25% carbonated water to make soda. Add watermelon drops (optional) to enhance flavor. Add rum or vodka for an adult soda.
  • Garnish with watermelon wedges