This cherry lemon granita is an easy, refreshing summer treat that’s super simple to make at home.
As if there weren’t enough reasons to love summer already (flip flops, heat waves, swimming pools, tank tops, tans…need I go on?) sinfully sweet, juicy (and cheap!) fruit comes along right in the height of it. Fruit that tastes so close to perfection it can easily pass as dessert all by itself.
Doctor it up a bit, freeze it and scoop it into a bowl and you have the most refreshing way to cool down after a long hot day outside (or in front of your computer if you’re one of the unlucky ones working this week).
Adding vodka might be necessary in that case.
Live it up, it’s Friday.
Cherry Lemon Granita
Ingredients
- 2 cups cherries, pitted (frozen is ok too)
- juice of 1 lemon
- 1 tablespoon agave
- 2-4 tablespoons vodka, optional
Instructions
- Place cherries in a food processor and pulse until almost pureed. A few chunks is ok.
- In a small bowl combine lemon, agave and vodka if using with a whisk.
- Add cherries to bowl and stir together.
- Pour mixture into a shallow metal dish or pan.
- Freeze for 1.5 hours scraping with a fork every 15-20 minutes.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Gina Matsoukas is an AP syndicated writer. She is the founder, photographer and recipe developer of Running to the Kitchen — a food website focused on providing healthy, wholesome recipes using fresh and seasonal ingredients. Her work has been featured in numerous media outlets both digital and print, including MSN, Huffington post, Buzzfeed, Women’s Health and Food Network.
I have cherries and lemons in the fridge. That means this recipe and me? We were meant to be together!!
Could you use an ice cream maker instead of stirring every 15 minutes?
you probably could although the consistency would most likely be creamier rather than icy like a granita normally is. Haven’t tried it though.
this sounds so refreshing!
I LOVE how beautiful red this granita looks!! It reminds me of a cherry slushie :) great idea!
Crazy lady talking but I never tried cherries until this past week. and O M G loooove them! :)
Ok, so after confirming the truth of this ludicrous (I just spelled that like that rapper rather than the word btw) comment and digesting it for a few hours, now I want to know why?! Were you scared of them? Never thought to buy or try them? Have a previous allergy? I need to know…
This looks perfect! I adore cherries, why not mix them into a granita? Genious.
After a sweltering morning at the park…I need to dive into these little bowls. The ones with vodka, please.