Blood Orange Grapefruit Granita: How to Make it

Granitas are frozen desserts that are usually made from fruit juice or water. They are often served at parties and celebrations. This Blood Orange Grapefruit Granita recipe is perfect for any season (especially if you want to boost your immune system).

Granitas are typically made using simple syrup, fruit juice, and sometimes fresh fruit. The addition of citrus juices makes them refreshingly sweet.

This Blood Orange Grapefruit Granita recipe uses only three ingredients: blood oranges, grapefruits, and simple syrup. It takes less than 30 minutes to prepare (and about 4 hours in the freezer).

How To Make Granita from Any Fruit

You can make a blood orange grapefruit granita, or any fruit granita, using a simple formula. 

How to Make Granita Without a Recipe

Granitas are elegant enough to serve at parties and fun enough that even kids will like it. You don't need any special equipment or ingredients to learn how to make it. Plus, you can easily make it with any kind or combination of liquids you want. Just follow these simple ratios and techniques and you'll be enjoying delicious granitas all summer long!

Choose Your Liquid

You can make your own granita by pureeing fruit in the blender, then straining it through a sieve before putting it in the freezer. Granitas are usually served as an after-dinner treat.

Add a Simple Syrup

You can add a liquid sweetener such as honey, sugar, or maple syrup. You can also add flavors like lemon, orange, mint, basil, cinnamon, vanilla, or ginger.

Add 3 tablespoons of simple syrup to every cup of liquid you're making ice cream or sorbet. You'll need to make sure your sugar is dissolved before you freeze it.

Adding spices or a bit of alcohol to the mixture tastes wonderful, too.

Freeze Your Sweetened Liquid In a Baking Dish

Granitas should be made in metal dishes because they're easier to clean. A metal dish will also cool down quicker than a glass or ceramic one. Make sure the liquid rises about ½-in up the sides of the dish.  Let the granita freeze for at least 4 hours before serving.

Scrape It Every 30 Minutes for Hours

Make sure to mix up the entire pan of granita each time.

Recipe Notes

Make ahead: Granita can easily be made a day or two ahead. Cover and store in the fridge. Scrape again before serving.

Tips Tricks

Granitas should be served frozen. Adding alcohol makes them slushier.

Granita Varieties

Granita recipes can be served plain or topped with fruit or whipped cream. Here are some great combinations:

Watermelon Granita: Light and refreshing.

Add whipped cream on top.

Mocha granita is made by dissolving sugar into coffee. Then, you add chocolate and mix it up. 

Coconut Granita is a refreshing dessert that combines coconut milk and lime juice. 

Strawberry Granita is an easy dessert to make. You need to freeze your berries first. Then you mix them with some lemon juice and sugar. After that, add some simple syrup. Finally, pour the mixture into a glass container and put it in the freezer. This granita is very sweet.

Directions

To make this granita, start by juicing the grapefruit and blood oranges. Mix with the simple syrup and pour the mixture into a shallow baking dish and freeze it overnight. Once frozen, scrape the granita with a fork before serving.

Are Blood oranges good for you?

Yes, they are! Blood oranges have high levels of vitamin C and antioxidants. 

What's the difference between blood oranges and regular oranges?

The main difference between blood oranges and other oranges is their color. Blood oranges are bright red while regular oranges are yellowish. 

Can I use regular oranges instead of blood oranges?

Sure! Blood oranges are sweeter, but regular oranges will be delicious too.

Red Grapefruit vs Pink Grapefruit

Pink grapefruit has more acidity than red grapefruit. If you prefer pink grapefruit over red, you may want to reduce the amount of simple syrup used.

Grapefruit Granita

Blood orange grapefruit granita is delicious! I love this recipe because it’s so easy to make and tastes great.