Easy Vegan Lemon Granita (Sweet & Tart No-Churn Italian Ice)

Craving Italian ice? Make this easy, sweet & tart vegan lemon granita! A no-churn dessert that requires minimal ingredients. Optional liqueur for a softer, icy texture.

Recipe Details

• Prep Time: 15 min
• Cook Time: 15 min
• Total Time: 45 min
• Yield: 3-4 small cups of shaved ice

Ingredients

• 3 lemons (preferably organic, for zest)
• 2 cups water
• ¼ cup sugar (adjust to taste)
• Lime juice, to taste
• ¼ cup orange liqueur, such as Grand Marnier (optional; helps with texture and adds a subtle boozy note)

Instructions

• Wash the lemons thoroughly and use a knife to remove the peel in long, thin strips. Try to avoid the white pith, as it can be bitter.
• In a medium saucepan, combine the water and sugar. Heat over medium heat until the sugar dissolves, stirring occasionally. Add the lemon peel strips to the syrup.
• Remove the syrup from heat and let the lemon peel steep in the syrup for 15–20 minutes. This will extract the oils and flavor from the peel.
• Remove the lemon peel by straining the syrup into a bowl. Press lightly on the peel to extract all the flavor. Let the syrup cool completely.
• Pour the cooled syrup into a shallow dish or baking pan. Place it in the freezer.
• After 1–2 hours, when the mixture starts to freeze around the edges, use a fork to scrape it into small crystals. Return it to the freezer. Repeat this process every 30–60 minutes until the entire mixture has a fluffy, icy texture (about 3–4 hours).
• Serve - Fluff the granita one last time with a fork before serving. Scoop into bowls or glasses and enjoy!

Tips

I’d suggest adding a liqueur (orange is nice!) to the lemon ice before freezing to ensure that it’s easier to shave the ice given how it helps lower the freezing point.