Refreshing Strawberry Lime Granita With Mint and Maple
For an icy refreshing treat, fruit flavoured granita makes the perfect dessert or palate cleanser. This easy recipe for strawberry lime granita with mint and maple has just the right combination zesty citrus and sweet flavours and has a stunning strawberry pink colour too. Made with just 4 simple ingredients, this fruit flavoured ice dessert is naturally gluten free, dairy free and vegan as well.
*Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links. We may be paid a commission if you use these links to make a purchase. As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases.
What is granita?
Granita is a semi-frozen dessert, more like a flavoured ice slushy than a sorbet or ice-cream, It’s usually made with sugar, water and fruit or other flavours. Lemon granita is a common sight in Italy, especially the Amalfi Coast. However, granitas can be made with a huge rage of different flavours and sweeteners.
Not just for dessert, granita can also be served as a palette cleanser between courses. It’s a great way to impress your dinner party guests.
No fancy kitchen tools needed
Ice cold granita is very simple to make. You won’t need an ice-cream maker or other fancy equipment. The granita is just made in a baking pan (preferably metal, as this helps the ingredients freeze quickly and evenly) and a fork. Regularly raking the mixture with a fork as it freezes creates the slushy ice consistency.
For this strawberry and lime version, you will need to blend the ingredients first. I just used my Breville Kitchen Wizz food processor to blend everything together.
Strawberry lime granita ingredients
This refreshing strawberry and lime granita uses maple syrup for the sweetener, with the fresh fruit providing the liquid as well as the flavour. You’ll only need these 4 ingredients:
- 1 lb (500g or 4 cups) fresh strawberries, stems removed and chopped
- 3 Tablespoons maple syrup
- Juice and zest of 2 small limes (about 3 Tablespoons of lime juice)
- 3 Tablespoons fresh mint leaves, chopped
- Additional mint sprigs for garnish
If you are using store bought limes, you may wish to remove any fruit wax before zesting the rind,
Method
Gently wash the strawberries, remove green leafy ends (hull) and chop into quarters. Using a zester, finely zest the limes before cutting in half and juicing. Wash mint leaves and roughly chop.
Place chopped strawberries, lime zest, lime juice, maple syrup and mint leaves in a food processor and blend until smooth.
Pour the strawberry mixture into a square tin or baking dish (about 8 inch square) and spread evenly. Place in the freezer for about 1 hour.
After an hour, remove the dish from the freezer and scrape the granita mixture with a fork to create ice flakes before returning to the freezer. Repeat this process every hour for 3 to 4 hours.
Use a fork to scrape the granita immediately before serving. Serve in small dishes and garnish with additional mint.
Serves 6.
Making ahead and storage
Strawberry and lime granita is best made and enjoyed the same day while the consistency of the ice is light and fluffy. If you do want to make it a few days in advance, just make sure to scrape again with a fork to the right consistency before serving.
Prepared granita can be kept in the freezer in a well covered container for up to a month.
More citrus inspired recipes
For more delicious citrus flavoured granita recipes, try our honeydew melon and yuzu granita with mint or grapefruit granita with vanilla. If you love citrus desserts, make sure to try our delicious citrus fruit salad with vanilla cardamom syrup. Or explore more citrus fruit salad ideas in our recipe collection.
Discover other flavour combinations to use with limes with our huge list of more than 60 flavours that go with orange.
You’ll find lots more tasty citrus recipes on our recipes page.
And don’t forget to subscribe for more citrus inspiration for your kitchen, garden and home.
Free goodies!
Subscribe and receive our citrus themed weekly planner and to do list
Refreshing Strawberry Lime Granita With Mint and Maple
Equipment
- 1 square tin or baking dish (8 inch x 8 inch)
- 1 food processor
- 1 citrus juicer
- 1 citrus zester
- measuring spoons
- fork
Ingredients
- 1 pound (500g or 4 cups) strawberries
- 3 Tablespoons maple syrup
- 2 small limes (zest and 3 Tablespoons juice)
- 3 Tablespoons fresh mint leaves
- Additional mint sprigs to garnish
Instructions
- Gently wash the strawberries, remove green leafy ends (hull) and chop into quarters. Using a zester, finely zest the limes before cutting in half and juicing. Wash mint leaves and roughly chop.
- Place chopped strawberries, lime zest, lime juice, maple syrup and mint leaves in a food processor and blend until smooth.
- Pour the strawberry mixture into a square tin or baking dish (about 8 inch square) and spread evenly. Place in the freezer for about 1 hour.
- After an hour, remove the dish from the freezer and scrape the granita mixture with a fork to create ice flakes before returning to the freezer. Repeat this process every hour for 3 to 4 hours.
- Use a fork to scrape the granita immediately before serving. Serve in small dishes and garnish with additional mint.
This looks delicious! I will try to make this in the summer