This post was created in partnership with Everclear® Grain Alcohol. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Is there anything better than a cold cocktail on a hot summer day? Trick question — of course there is! Granita, or as I like to call it, grown-up shaved ice, is the ultimate two-for-one summer sipper. A mashup between a slushy and a snow cone, granita is the perfect dessert to cool you down during the dog days of summer.
3 Herb-Infused Granita Recipes Perfect for SummerWe teamed up with our friends at Everclear Grain Alcohol to bring you three herb-infused granita recipes that savor the flavors of summer. To keep things simple, we chose easy to find fruit and herb combinations, like Rosemary + Lavender, Peach + Lemon Verbena and Lime + Mint + Basil, that go with just about everything.
Serve them over sliced summer fruit (may we suggest a trio of melons?) or eat them on their own in a bowl, topped with whipped coconut cream and fresh herbs. So if you’re ready, let’s gather up all the leftover herbs from your garden and put your recent farmers’ market haul to good use.
How To Make Granita Infused with Herbs
Granita is a semi-frozen mixture of fruit, water and herbs or other flavorings that’s then scraped to create soft ice flakes. Traditionally, the frozen fruit helps soften the ice mixture, so it can easily be turned into shaved ice using nothing more than a fork. But it turns out you can turn practically any liquid into granita with the help of one magic ingredient: Everclear Grain Alcohol.
In these recipes, adding a dash of Everclear helps lower the freezing point of our herb-infused water and ensures that the liquid doesn’t completely solidify. In the end, you’re left with that light, fluffy shaved ice texture you’re used to — no fruit required.
You don’t need to use the herbs we do, but it’s highly recommended. If you have an abundance of herbs from your garden, go ahead and put them to use by whipping up your own granita flavor combos. You won’t be disappointed.
How to use Everclear in granita recipes
Just note that when it comes to using Everclear Grain Alcohol in granita, you don’t want to add too much. Otherwise, you run the risk of lowering the freeze point to such an extent that it may not freeze at all.
I’ve found that ⅓ cup Everclear to 3 cups of liquid is an ideal ratio for a light + fluffy, but still frozen, granita. If you would like to add more, do so in tablespoon increments and see how it freezes. Just don’t leave out the Everclear entirely or you'll end up with a solid block of ice.
1. Rosemary + Lavender Granita
In this versatile granita recipe, we’ve fused lavender and rosemary flavors with earthy honey and tart lemon. While great on its own, this granita really shines when paired with other flavors.
Try it over mixed berries, fresh peaches or sliced melon. And top it with a squeeze of lemon juice, a drizzle of raw honey, or a sprinkle of lavender blossoms.
Rosemary + Lavender Granita Recipe
—3 cups water
—2 teaspoons dried lavender flowers
—2-3 sprigs fresh rosemary
—½ cup honey (add more for a sweeter granita)
—⅓ cup Everclear Grain Alcohol
—2 tablespoons lemon juice
—Rosemary or lavender sprigs for garnish
Instructions
Step 1 | Simmer lavender and rosemary in water
In a small saucepan, combine the water, lavender blossoms and fresh rosemary. Bring to a simmer over medium heat, then reduce heat to low and continue simmering for 5 minutes.
Step 2 | Steep then strain
Remove pan from heat and let steep for an additional 20 minutes. Then strain out the herbs.
Step 3 | Add additional ingredients and stir
Add the honey, lemon juice and Everclear, and stir until the honey has completely dissolved.
Step 4 | Freeze mixture
Pour the mixture into a bowl, baking dish or metal sheet pan and freeze until solid (about 8 hours).
Step 5 | Use fork to flake
Once frozen, use a fork to scrape the granita into fine flakes and serve immediately over fruit or garnished with fresh herbs.
Freeze any leftover granita in an airtight container for up to 2 months.
2. Lime, Mint + Basil Granita
If you’re a fan of Mint Juleps, you’ll love this granita. Simply toss everything in the blender, give it a whirl, and then pour it into a freezer-safe container. Serve alone or with mango slices for tropical flair.
Lime, Mint + Basil Granita Recipe
—½ cup fresh mint leaves
—½ cup fresh basil leaves
—1 cup lime juice
—2 cups water
—⅓ cup Everclear Grain Alcohol
—⅓ cup agave (or any sweetener you prefer)
Instructions
Combine all ingredients in a blender and puree on high until smooth.
Pour into a bowl, baking dish or metal sheet pan and freeze until solid (about 8 hours). If the mixture is frothy from blending, then spoon off the froth before putting it in the freezer.
Once frozen, use a fork to scrape the granita into fine flakes and serve immediately over fruit or garnished with fresh herbs. Freeze leftovers in an airtight container for up to 2 months.
3. Peach and Lemon Verbena Granita
Thanks to the frozen peaches, this granita has a naturally creamy consistency, much like sorbet. But the lemon verbena and Everclear help kick things up a notch.
You’re free to use fresh lemon verbena if you can find it (I found a plant at my local organic market) but I think dried lemon verbena gives it more of a punch.
Peach and Lemon Verbena Granita Recipe
—2 cups water
—3 tablespoons lemon verbena tea (or ¼ cup fresh lemon verbena leaves)
—4 super ripe peaches, sliced
—¼ cup coconut sugar (or any other sweetener you like)
—¼ cup Everclear Grain Alcohol
Instructions
Bring 2 cups water to a boil. Add the lemon verbena tea and let steep for 5 minutes.
Strain the tea into the base of a blender
Add the peaches, sugar and Everclear Grain Alcohol. Puree the mixture on high until smooth.
Pour into a bowl, baking dish or metal sheet pan and freeze until solid (about 8 hours). If the mixture is frothy from blending, spoon off the froth before putting it in the freezer.
Once frozen, use a fork to scrape the granita into fine flakes and serve immediately over fruit or garnished with fresh herbs.
Freeze leftovers in an airtight container for up to 2 months.
What else can you do with Everclear?
You might also want to try this quinoa risotto, these hearty spaghetti squash bowls or make your own BBQ sauce. And it's the perfect DIY ingredient for making perfume and deodorant and it can basically clean your whole house!
You can find Everclear at your local retailer or online via Cask Cartel, Caskers, or Drizly. You can also search Everclear’s product locator page online.
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lori says
Can this be made alcohol free? Looks lovely