Watermelon Mojito Granita

Summer vibes in a glass! This refreshing Watermelon Mojito Granita is the perfect treat for hot days.

Blended watermelon, fresh mint, and a hint of rum come together in a light, fruity, and incredibly refreshing dessert that’s sure to be the star of your next outdoor gathering.

Ingredients

• Watermelon chunks 2 cups
• Fresh mint leaves 1/4 cup
• Lime juice 1/2 cup
• Rum 1/2 cup
• Simple syrup 1 cup
• Sparkling water 2 cups
• Salt for serving

Instructions

In a blender or food processor, puree the watermelon chunks until smooth.

Strain the mixture through a fine-mesh sieve into a large bowl, pressing on the solids to extract as much juice as possible.

Discard the solids.

Add the fresh mint leaves to the bowl and muddle them gently with a spoon to release their oils and flavor.

Stir in the lime juice, rum, and simple syrup until well combined.

Taste and adjust the sweetness or lime juice to your liking.

Pour the mixture into a 9×13 inch baking dish or a metal pan and place it in the freezer.

Every 30 minutes, scrape the mixture with a fork to break up any ice crystals that have formed.

This is called “tempering” and it will give your granita a smooth texture.

Repeat this process for 2-3 hours, or until the desired consistency is reached.

Once the granita is frozen, scoop it into glasses or cones and top with sparkling water.

Stir gently and sprinkle with a pinch of salt.

Serve immediately and repeat for the remaining servings.

Notes

For a more intense watermelon flavor, use 3 cups of watermelon chunks and reduce the simple syrup to 3/4 cup. Also, be sure to use ripe watermelon for the best flavor.

If you want a clearer granita, make sure to press as much juice as possible from the watermelon mixture.

To make it easier to scoop the granita, run the scoop or spoon under hot water and then scoop. If you don’t have rum, you can substitute it with an additional 1/2 cup of simple syrup for a non-alcoholic version.

You can also use a flavored sparkling water, like lime or lemon, for a twist on the recipe.

Nutrional Value

• Energy: 245 calories
• Fat: 0.5g
• Carbohydrates: 57g
• Sugar: 47g
• Protein: 2g
• Sodium: 100mg
• Potassium: 450mg
• Fiber: 2g
• Vitamin A: 10% of the Daily Value (DV)
• Vitamin C: 100% of the DV
• Calcium: 2% of the DV
• Iron: 5% of the DV