Best 7 Lemon Basil Granita Recipes

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Cool down and refresh with a delicious lemon basil granita, a semi-frozen dessert that will transport you to a sun-kissed Italian summer. This delightful treat is made with fresh lemons, fragrant basil, and simple syrup, then frozen until it reaches a slushy consistency. Serve it as a refreshing palate cleanser, a light dessert, or a poolside snack.

In this article, you'll find two variations of the lemon basil granita recipe. The classic version uses a combination of lemon juice, sugar, and water, while the vegan version substitutes agave nectar for sugar. Both recipes are easy to follow and require minimal ingredients.

These recipes are perfect for summer entertaining. The lemon basil granita can be made ahead of time and stored in the freezer, so you can have a refreshing treat on hand whenever you need it. It's also a great way to use up any extra lemons or basil you may have on hand.

So gather your ingredients and let's get started on making this delightful frozen treat!

Here are our top 7 tried and tested recipes!

LEMON BASIL GRANITA



Lemon Basil Granita image

Lemon Basil Granita a cool light dessert which features a burst of lemon flavor and a taste of basil perfect for a hot summer day.

Provided by Dawn

Categories     Dessert

Time 3h15m

Number Of Ingredients 5

1 1/2 cups water
1/2 cup sugar
Zest from one lemon
1/3 cup fresh basil
1/2 cup fresh lemon juice

Steps:

  • Add the water, sugar, lemon zest, and basil to a medium sauce pan. Over medium heat bring the mixture to a boil.
  • Once the mixture comes to a boil turn the heat down slightly and continue to simmer for 5 minutes. Remove from the heat after the 5 minutes and cover. Let this mixture steep for 15 minutes.
  • Strain the mixture into a bread pan and discard the lemon zest and basil leaves. Add the lemon juice. Cool for about 10 minutes and set in the refrigerator.
  • Once the mixture is chilled move it to the freezer. After 30 minutes take a fork and scrape the ice off of the sides of the bread pan. Continue this process until the mixture is frozen.
  • Scoop into dessert dishes and serve.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 102 kcal, ServingSize 1 serving

LEMON GRANITA



Lemon Granita image

Provided by Food Network

Time 2h10m

Yield 4 servings.

Number Of Ingredients 3

6 tablespoons sugar
1/3 cup lemon juice
1 teaspoon finely-grated lemon zest

Steps:

  • In a saucepan combine sugar with 1 1/2 cups water; bring just to a boil over medium heat, stirring until sugar dissolves. Remove pan from heat, leave to cool, then refrigerate until cold. Stir in lemon juice and zest. Pour lemon syrup into a square metal cake pan and place in freezer. Freeze 2 hours in all, removing pan from freezer every 30 minutes, stirring and scraping with a metal fork until ice crystals break up. After 2 hours, granita will resemble snow. Scrape into 4 dessert goblets and serve with a spoon and a straw if desired.

LEMON-BASIL GRANITA



Lemon-Basil Granita image

Provided by Food Network

Categories     dessert

Time 5h20m

Yield 4 servings

Number Of Ingredients 4

1 cup sugar
2 cups loosely packed fresh basil leaves, plus small leaves for garnish
1/3 cup fresh lemon juice (from 2 to 3 lemons)
1/4 cup vodka, optional

Steps:

  • Combine the sugar with 3 cups water in a medium saucepan. Warm the mixture over medium-high heat, stirring until the sugar dissolves completely. Remove from the heat, and cool to room temperature.
  • Add the basil to the sugar syrup and muddle the leaves with the base of a wooden spoon. Let steep for 1 hour. Strain the mixture into a 9-by-13-inch glass baking dish (discard the basil). Stir in the lemon juice and vodka, if using. Freeze until the mixture begins to set, about 2 hours. Scrape with a fork to form small crystals in the ice every 30 minutes to an hour until the mixture is fully frozen, about 1 hour more.
  • Serve the granita in chilled glasses, garnished with the small basil leaves.

LEMON BASIL SORBETTO



Lemon Basil Sorbetto image

Provided by Giada De Laurentiis

Categories     dessert

Time 2h50m

Yield about 1 quart of sorbetto

Number Of Ingredients 4

2 cups sugar
4 sprigs fresh basil, plus 5 leaves, chopped
Zest of 4 lemons, removed with a vegetable peeler, plus 2 cups lemon juice (from about 10 lemons)
Pinch of kosher salt

Steps:

  • In a small sauce pan, combine 2 cups water, the sugar, basil sprigs, lemon zest and salt. Bring to a simmer over medium-low heat, stirring often to dissolve the sugar. Remove from the heat and allow to cool to room temperature.
  • Strain the syrup into a bowl and stir in the lemon juice. Pour the syrup into an ice cream maker and freeze according to the manufacturer's directions. Once partially frozen, sprinkle in the basil leaves and continue to freeze until firm. Pour into an airtight container and place in the freezer to freeze completely.
  • Serving option: Scoop 1 or 2 small scoops of sorbetto into a coupe glass and top with a splash of prosecco.

LEMON GRANITA



Lemon Granita image

Categories     Dessert     Freeze/Chill     Kid-Friendly     Low Sodium     Wheat/Gluten-Free     Lemon     Summer     Vegan     Gourmet     Fat Free     Kidney Friendly     Vegetarian     Pescatarian     Dairy Free     Peanut Free     Tree Nut Free     Soy Free     Kosher     Small Plates

Yield Makes about 2 1/2 cups

Number Of Ingredients 3

2 to 3 large lemons
1 cup filtered or bottled still water (not distilled)
1/3 cup superfine granulated sugar

Steps:

  • With a vegetable peeler remove zest in long pieces from 2 lemons. Squeeze 1/2 cup juice from lemons.
  • In a small heavy saucepan heat water and sugar, stirring until sugar is dissolved. Stir in zest and transfer syrup to a bowl to cool. Chill syrup, covered, until cold. Discard zest and stir in lemon juice.
  • For eastern-Sicilian granita:
  • Freeze lemon mixture in an ice-cream maker until spoonable but not crumbly and serve immediately.
  • For western-Sicilian granita:
  • Freeze lemon mixture in a metal bowl, stirring every 30 minutes to remove ice crystals from side of bowl, until liquid has become granular but is still slightly slushy, about 3 to 4 hours. Serve granita immediately.

ZESTY LEMON GRANITA



Zesty Lemon Granita image

A light dessert with a refreshing, icy texture, one taste tester dubbed this "the most lemony thing I've ever eaten"! -Sonya Labbe, Santa Monica, California

Provided by Taste of Home

Categories     Desserts

Time 15m

Yield 2 cups.

Number Of Ingredients 5

1 cup water
2/3 cup sugar
2/3 cup lemon juice
2 fresh thyme sprigs
2 teaspoons grated lemon zest

Steps:

  • In a small saucepan, bring water and sugar to a boil. Cook and stir until sugar is dissolved. Remove from heat; stir in lemon juice and thyme. Transfer to an 8-in. square dish; cool to room temperature., Remove thyme sprigs. Freeze for 1 hour; stir with a fork. Freeze 2-3 hours longer or until completely frozen, stirring every 30 minutes., Stir granita with a fork just before serving; spoon into dessert dishes. Garnish with lemon zest.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 140 calories, Fat 0 fat (0 saturated fat), Cholesterol 0 cholesterol, Sodium 0 sodium, Carbohydrate 37g carbohydrate (34g sugars, Fiber 0 fiber), Protein 0 protein.

LEMON-BASIL GRANITA RECIPE - (4.5/5)



Lemon-Basil Granita Recipe - (4.5/5) image

Provided by Chez_Alexander

Number Of Ingredients 5

3 cups water
1 cup sugar
1/2 cup slivered fresh basil
2 tsp finely shredded lemon peel
2 TBS lemon juice

Steps:

  • 1. In medium sauce pan bring water and sugar to boiling, stirring to dissolve sugar. Remove from heat; cool slightly (about 20 minutes). Add basil and let stand 30 minutes more. Pour through a fine mesh sieve; discard basil. Stir lemon peel and juice into syrup. Pour into a shallow baking dish. Cover; freeze 2 hours (edges should be firm and center almost firm). 2. Transfer mixture, half at a time, to blender. Cover; blend until slushy, stopping to scrape down sides as needed. Spoon back into dish, spreading evenly. Cover; freeze 2 hours more or until firm. 3. To serve, scrape across surface of mixture with a small ice cream scoop. Place scoops in small dishes. Top with lemon slices, fresh mint leaves, and/or edible flowers. Makes 6 servings. Each serving = 4 Weight Watchers points.

Tips:

  • Use Meyer lemons: Their sweeter, less acidic flavor makes them perfect for granita.
  • Freeze the lemon-basil mixture in a shallow pan: This will help it freeze quickly and evenly.
  • Stir the granita every few hours as it freezes: This will help prevent it from becoming too solid.
  • Serve the granita in chilled glasses: This will help it stay cold and refreshing.
  • Garnish the granita with fresh basil leaves: This will add a pop of color and flavor.

Conclusion:

Lemon basil granita is a delicious and refreshing treat that is perfect for a hot summer day. It is easy to make and can be tailored to your own taste preferences. Whether you like it tart or sweet, this granita is sure to please. So next time you are looking for a cool and refreshing treat, give lemon basil granita a try!

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