Strawberry Lemon Gin Granita

If you're looking for a delicious way to cool down on a hot summer day, look no further. This Strawberry Lemon Gin Granita is super refreshing with lots of strawberries and a squeeze of lemon juice!

The understated kick from the gin makes it perfect during these hot days during cocktail hour or as an end-of-the-night adult treat.

With summer being in full swing, I couldn't wait to share this Strawberry Lemon Gin Granita recipe with you. This delicious recipe has lots of fresh fruit, so the texture is not as icy or flakey as some variations since it's fruit-forward with gin! Because of the gin added to this recipe, this granita is more on the slushy side.

Jump to:

• What is a granita?
• Why make this granita?
• Ingredients
• How to make simple syrup
• How to make a Strawberry Lemon Gin Granita
• Expert tip
• Substitutions
• Variations
• Storage
• Related recipes
• Strawberry Lemon Gin Granita

If you love fresh strawberries as much as I do, try this Strawberry Elderflower Gin Fizz and give this Vegan Gluten-free Strawberry Rhubarb Crisp a try!

When is the last time you had a granita? Maybe in a restaurant with a selection of Italian desserts?

I've had granitas in restaurants as a dessert or in between courses at fancy restaurants as a refreshing palate cleanser that is not too sweet. I wanted to recreate a strawberry granita combined with a cocktail - and that's how I came up with this recipe!

What is a granita?

Granita is an Italian frozen dessert originating in Sicily and is typically hand-made with water, sugar, and assorted flavors such as fruit or coffee or wine and liqueurs. The texture is similar to a sorbet, but it is grainier with ice crystals.

Why make this granita?

Did I mention it's easy? You don't need an ice cream maker or a popsicle mold. It's so refreshing and is perfect for using up the bounty of fresh strawberries and other fruits during the summer.

This strawberry granita is a simple dessert to make for entertaining or to treat yourself! All you need to make this granita are fresh strawberries, simple syrup, gin, lemon zest, and lemon juice.

Ingredients

• Fresh strawberries - ripe, fresh strawberries are the best; although if you have overripe strawberries, this recipe is a great way to use them! 
• Simple syrup - See my notes below on how to make simple syrup if you have never made it before. 
• Gin - Use your favorite gin. I prefer an all-natural and gluten-free gin. I used Empress 1908 Gin which is a favorite in our household! Be sure to check out Empress 1908 Gin near you!
• Zest and juice of one lemon - for tartness.

How to make simple syrup

It's easy to make this sugar syrup which is frequently used in cocktails, lemonade, and for moistening layers of cake.

• Combine one cup of water and a half cup of organic cane sugar in a small saucepan. Simmer on low-medium heat until the sugar dissolves, stirring occasionally. Take it off the heat and let it cool. For this recipe, save a half cup and refrigerate the rest.

• If you'd like a sweeter simple syrup, use one cup of organic cane sugar with one cup of water.

Storage: Refrigerate for up to one month. Use it for making cocktails, lemonade, sweeten homemade popsicles, iced tea, add it to coffee, or drizzle it over dry cake. Try this Tamarind Margarita. 

How to make a Strawberry Lemon Gin Granita

First, you are going to make a strawberry puree mixed with sugar syrup and the rest of the ingredients. Then freeze it on a tray, mix it together by stirring it occasionally, and serve.

1. Blend. Place the strawberries into a high-powered blender. Add simple syrup, gin, zest, and juice of one lemon. Start the blender at low speed and gradually increase the speed to medium-high for 45 to 60 seconds.⁠
2. Freeze. Pour the mixture onto a baking sheet with a rim. Place in the freezer for approximately 30 minutes until icy at the edges. ⁠
3. Mix. Take a metal fork and pull the edges towards the middle, which will be slushy. Mix and freeze for another 30 minutes. Then, repeat the process with the fork, bringing the edges towards the center. Repeat this process, mixing every 30 minutes over a total of 4 to 6 hours until the granita is icy. ⁠
4. Serve immediately or transfer to a glass container and freeze until ready to serve—portion the granita into coupe glasses or large glasses. Get a spoon and enjoy!

Serve this delicious granita with fresh mint and a spoon since it's too thick to drink.

Expert tip

Stir the mixture every 30 minutes for 4 to 6 hours during freezing, so it doesn't turn into a block of ice. If you're not going to enjoy the granita immediately, place it in an airtight glass container.

Substitutions

Sweeter: You can add another tablespoon or two of organic cane sugar or simple syrup when blending your granita to make it a touch sweeter.

Lemon - use lime juice and lime zest instead.

Strawberries - try other seasonal fruits such as raspberries or peaches.

Variations

Deluxe: Add sliced fresh strawberries or coconut cream

Kid-friendly: Replace the gin with water, sparkling water, sparkling strawberry water, lemonade, lime juice, limeade, grapefruit juice, orange juice, or any other juice you like. Adjust the sweetness to your taste.

Mocktail version - See the kid-friendly version above, or replace the gin with tonic water or club soda.

Storage

Store this granita in an airtight glass container in the freezer for up to one week. Before serving, let it thaw briefly and rake through the mixture with a fork.

Related recipes

If you make this Strawberry Lemon Gin Granita, let me know what you think by ★★★★★ star rating it and leaving a comment below. You can follow me on Instagram and share your creation with me! Just tag me @resplendentkitchen and hashtag #resplendentkitchenrecipes.