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    Home » Recipes » Dessert » Blackberry Basil Lemonade Granita

    Blackberry Basil Lemonade Granita

    Published: Nov 18, 2018 · Modified: May 5, 2021 by Amanda Wilens · This post may contain affiliate links. Leave a Comment

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    Blackberry Basil Lemonade Granita! I made a series of granitas for the 2018 July issue of Feast Magazine.

    Ice cream, popsicles, and snow cones are all essential summer treats, yet the most refreshing and easy-to-assemble might be a granita. The Italian dessert is made by puréeing ingredients (usually fresh fruit, herbs, and spices) in a blender until smooth, and then evenly spreading it across a sheet pan before freezing, stirring, and then freezing it again. The final result is coarse - or grainy, thus the name - ice crystals. If you're looking for something stronger to enjoy poolside, you can easily add a shot of your favorite wine or spirit before the initial freeze.

    In the following pages we're sharing 10 recipes - five non-boozy granitas, plus five modifications to those base recipes for cocktail versions. These recipes make the most of fresh summer produce, including strawberries, peaches, and blackberries, resulting in refreshing frozen treats to cool down hot summer days.

    My go-to drink for summer gatherings is homemade blackberry lemonade. For blackberry lemonade granita cocktails, I recommend vodka; don't fret that your granita cocktail won't freeze, though, even if the bottle of vodka in your freezer never has. Because the vodka is mixed with other liquids, it will freeze after a few hours. If you prefer, the same amount of gin works well, too.

    blackberry basil lemonade granita with lemon

    Table of Contents

    • Ingredients for Granitas
    • Ingredients for Lemonade Granita Cocktails
    • How to make non-alcoholic Lemonade Granitas
    • How to make Lemonade Granita Cocktails
    • Other Granitas to Try
    • Love this Recipe?
    blackberry basil lemonade granita

    Before you get started

    Make sure you have a large metal baking pan (a 13-by-9-inch pan is ideal) to ensure your granita freezes quickly and evenly. If you forget to stir and scrape the granita, let the mixture sit at room temperature for about 10 to 15 minutes to slightly thaw, and then mix and repeat the preparation process.

    Ingredients for Granitas

    • fresh blackberries
    • lemonade, divided
    • granulated sugar
    • basil leaves, plus more for garnish

    Ingredients for Lemonade Granita Cocktails

    • fresh blackberries
    • lemonade, divided
    • granulated sugar
    • large basil leaves, plus more for garnish
    • vodka

    How to make non-alcoholic Lemonade Granitas

    1. In the bowl of a blender, purée berries. Strain berries through a fine-mesh sieve to remove seeds; this will yield about 2 cups of liquid. Set aside.

    2. In a large glass measuring cup, add ¼ cup lemonade and sugar and muddle in basil leaves; let sit for a few minutes before straining and discarding basil. Add remaining lemonade to cup and stir. In a large glass bowl, combine blackberry liquid with lemonade and stir.

    3. Spread across a 13-by-9-inch metal baking pan and cover with aluminum foil; transfer to freezer.

    4. Using the back of a fork, scrape and stir every 30 minutes for at least 2 hours and 30 minutes.

    5. Garnish with remaining basil leaves and serve.

    How to make Lemonade Granita Cocktails

    1. In the bowl of a blender, purée berries. Strain berries through a fine-mesh sieve to remove seeds; this will yield about 2 cups of liquid. Set aside.

    2. In a large glass measuring cup, add ¼ cup lemonade and sugar then muddle in basil leaves; let sit for a few minutes before straining and discarding basil. Add remaining lemonade to cup and stir. In a large glass bowl, combine blackberry liquid with lemonade and vodka and stir.

    3. Spread across a 13-by-9-inch metal baking pan and cover with aluminum foil; transfer to freezer.

    4. Using the back of a fork, scrape and stir every 30 minutes for at least 3 hours.

    5. Garnish with remaining basil leaves and serve.

    blackberry basil lemonade granitas
    blackberry basil lemonade granita with basil

    Other Granitas to Try

    • Strawberry and Rose Granita
    • Chai Latte Granita
    • Pineapple Mango-rita Granita
    • Minty Peach Granita

    Love this Recipe?

    Did you make this recipe and just love it? Awesome! If you have a quick minute and could leave a star rating and comment below, I would appreciate the support and knowing your feedback! And if you’re over on Instagram, be sure to tag me in your photos! 

    blackberry basil lemonade granita with lemon

    Blackberry Basil Lemonade Granita

    5 from 2 votes
    Print Pin Share Rate
    Course: Drinks
    Cuisine: American
    Prep Time: 30 minutes
    Cook Time: 0 minutes
    Freeze time: 2 hours
    Total Time: 2 hours 30 minutes
    Servings: 4 servings
    Author: Amanda Wilens

    Ingredients

    Granita: Non-alcoholic Version
    • 6 cups blackberries fresh
    • 2¼ cups lemonade divided
    • 2 tablespoon granulated sugar
    • 5 to 7 basil leaves large, plus more for garnish
    Granita: Cocktail Version
    • 6 cups blackberries fresh
    • 1½ cups lemonade divided
    • 2 tablespoon granulated sugar
    • 5 to 7 basil leaves large, plus more for garnish
    • ¾ cup vodka

    Instructions

    Granita: Non-alcoholic Version

    • In the bowl of a blender, purée berries. Strain berries through a fine-mesh sieve to remove seeds; this will yield about 2 cups of liquid. Set aside.
    • In a large glass measuring cup, add ¼ cup lemonade and sugar and muddle in basil leaves; let sit for a few minutes before straining and discarding basil. Add remaining lemonade to cup and stir. In a large glass bowl, combine blackberry liquid with lemonade and stir.
    • Spread across a 13-by-9-inch metal baking pan and cover with aluminum foil; transfer to freezer.
    • Using the back of a fork, scrape and stir every 30 minutes for at least 2 hours and 30 minutes.
    • Garnish with remaining basil leaves and serve.

    Granita: Cocktail Version

    • In the bowl of a blender, purée berries. Strain berries through a fine-mesh sieve to remove seeds; this will yield about 2 cups of liquid. Set aside.
    • In a large glass measuring cup, add ¼ cup lemonade and sugar then muddle in basil leaves; let sit for a few minutes before straining and discarding basil. Add remaining lemonade to cup and stir. In a large glass bowl, combine blackberry liquid with lemonade and vodka and stir.
    • Spread across a 13-by-9-inch metal baking pan and cover with aluminum foil; transfer to freezer.
    • Using the back of a fork, scrape and stir every 30 minutes for at least 3 hours.
    • Garnish with remaining basil leaves and serve.

    Notes

    - Cocktail v. Mocktail: since the cocktail version has alcohol, it is slightly harder to freeze. This can make it easier to be slushy, but longer to freeze versus the mocktail.
    - Pan size: A shallower pan is a shorter freeze time and makes it easier to scrape out with a fork. However, a loaf pan would make it frozen solid in the middle and almost impossible to scrape directly out of the freezer.

    All nutritional information is based on third-party calculations and should be considered estimates. Actual nutritional content will vary with brands used, measuring methods, portion sizes and more.

    Tried this recipe?Mention @amanda.wilens
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    My name is Amanda and I am an event planner, recipe developer, photographer, and stylist. I created this space where together we can together Plan, Plate, and Celebrate! Whether you need tablescape ideas for entertaining or a simple and delicious recipe for cookies, you can find it all on this website...more about me.

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