Clinging on to Summer with Watermelon Lime Granita

It’s officially Fall and I am officially ok with that. Truth be told, it’s my favorite season. That said, there are some summer things I wish we could hang onto all year round. Watermelon tops my list.

I’ve been to the grocery store pretty much everyday for the last several days and am pleased to report there are still beautiful, juicy watermelons for sale! Run, don’t walk to your nearest grocery store and pick one up because this recipe’s so easy. Serve this up as you watch football at home today! Last few tastes of summer…

Watermelon Lime Granita

Serves 4

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1 ½ cup water
½ cup raw brown sugar (I like Demerara sugar)
Juice of 6 limes (about ½ cup)
1 cup watermelon, puréed
¼ cup finely grated lime zest
Fresh mint for garnish

Combine your water and sugar in a small pot and place over medium heat until the sugar dissolves to make a simple syrup. Remove from heat. Set aside about ½ cup of simple syrup (at room temperature) for later.

Add into your remaining simple syrup the watermelon, lime juice and lime zest. Let sit for 30 minutes.

Optional: strain out the lime zest.

Pour into a 9x9” baking dish and place into the freezer. Freeze for 30 minutes.

Using a fork, stir the granita mixture well and freeze for another 30 minutes. Repeat this process until the mixture has been in the freezer for four hours.

Serve in a short tumbler or martini glass drizzled with some additional simple syrup and topped with a sprig of mint.