Cinnamon Free Watermelon Mint Granita
Bright, icy, and bursting with summer flavor, this watermelon granita is the kind of frozen dessert that feels almost too easy for how impressive it looks. Ripe watermelon gets blended smooth, strained, and sweetened with a delicate honey-mint syrup before being slowly scraped into those signature feathery crystals that make granita so satisfying to eat. The lime juice adds just enough tartness to keep every spoonful lively and refreshing rather than cloyingly sweet. For anyone avoiding cinnamon, frozen treats can be a sneaky minefield — spiced syrups and pre-made mixes often sneak it in — but every ingredient here is clean and straightforward with zero warm spices in sight. The technique is genuinely hands-off: a fork and a freezer do most of the work, with just a few quick scraping sessions spread over a few hours. Serve it in chilled glasses with a sprig of fresh mint and it looks like something you'd order at a rooftop restaurant.
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Learn more →Ingredients
6 servings
- 6 cups seedless watermelon, cut into 1-inch cubes (about ½ small watermelon)
- 3 tbsp honey
- ¼ cup water
- ¼ cup fresh mint leaves, loosely packed
- 2 tbsp fresh lime juice (from about 1 lime)
- 1 pinch salt
For serving
- fresh mint sprigs, for serving (optional)
Instructions
- 1
Combine the honey and water in a small saucepan over medium heat, stirring until the honey fully dissolves, about 2 minutes. Remove from heat and add the mint leaves. Let steep for 5 minutes, then strain out and discard the mint leaves.
- 2
Working in batches if needed, blend the watermelon cubes in a blender until completely smooth, about 30 seconds.
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