Inspired by some of our favorite cocktail pairings, these icy granitas are drink and dessert rolled into one. The are made by slowly freezing a mixture, using a fork to break up the ice periodically. The result is a light, airy frozen treat. Simple and refreshing, they make a perfect pre- or post-dinner treat on hot summer days.
Cocktails ingredients make for refined desserts. The mint julep is already a crushed ice drink, so it's easy to imagine it as an icy, airy granita. It's an excellent dessert on Derby Day. For a light pre-dinner apertif, try a sweet-tart treat made with Ruby Red grapefruit juice and bitter Campari. Inspired by the Argentinian highball, our Coke and Fernet granita also walks the sweet-bitter line.
Wine is a great refreshing granita base. Try using a full-bodied white wine like Chardonnay matched with apple juice for a fruity, boozy dessert. Or try our sherry cardamom granita with bracing notes of black tea accenting the sherry's subtle sweetness.
The pisco sour, a classic South American cocktail of pisco and lemon juice, makes for wonderful granita. Serving it before it has completely set makes for a fun grown-up slushy.
Find all of these recipes in our collection of cocktail granita recipes.
Mint Julep Granita
This recipe takes the crushed ice classic a step further—bourbon, mint simple syrup, and just a touch of Creme de Menthe make a perfect Derby Day dessert. Get the recipe for Mint Julep Granita »
Grapefruit and Campari Granita
Ruby Red grapefruit juice and Campari are a refreshingly bittersweet combination. Get the recipe for Grapefruit and Campari Granita »
Sherry and Cardamom Granita
This delicately sweet, icy treat is a mix of spiced black tea and bright sherry. Get the recipe for Sherry and Cardamom Granita »
Fernet and Coke Granita
Inspired by the Argentine pairing, this intense cola and bitter amaro-flavored granita is a perfect palate cleanser. Get the recipe for Fernet and Coke Granita »
White Wine Granita
A slightly fruity white wine works best here—we like to use Chardonnay, but any full-bodied white will do, including Champagne.
Pisco Sour Slushy
A classic Peruvian cocktail gets the freezer treatment. Made with the South American grape brandy that’s popular in Chile and Peru, the pisco sour makes for a salty, sweet, tart, and beautiful sorbet.
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