Refreshing Coffee Granita: Your Ultimate Guide to a Perfect Frozen Coffee Treat
As the summer heat intensifies and the days stretch longer, many of us reach a point where the warmth becomes almost unbearable, and the thought of crisp, cool autumn air sounds like a dream. This intense heat often shifts our culinary focus from warm, baked goods to delightfully icy, no-bake creations. If you’re anything like me, you’ve probably been experimenting with various frozen treats to beat the heat, and I’m thrilled to share another simple, freezer-friendly recipe that promises to deliver pure refreshment: Coffee Granita.
This delightful dessert is not only incredibly easy to prepare but also offers a sophisticated twist on your usual iced coffee. It’s the perfect solution for those sweltering afternoons or as a light, invigorating dessert after a meal. Forget turning on your oven; your freezer will do most of the heavy lifting, leaving you with more time to relax and enjoy the sunshine – or seek refuge from it!
What Exactly is Granita? A Sicilian Shaved Ice Delight
At its heart, granita is a semi-frozen dessert made from sugar, water, and various flavorings. Originating from Sicily, Italy, it’s essentially a fancier, more textured version of shaved ice, but with a unique crystalline structure that sets it apart. Unlike sorbet, which is often churned to create a smooth texture, granita is intentionally coarser, featuring distinct, icy crystals that melt deliciously on your tongue. The beauty of granita lies in its simplicity and versatility; it can be made with almost any liquid, from fruit juices and purees to teas and, of course, coffee.
The process of making granita involves repeatedly scraping the freezing mixture with a fork, which prevents it from freezing into a solid block of ice and instead creates those signature delicate crystals. This hands-on, yet minimal effort, technique ensures a light and refreshing texture that is truly unique. It’s a delightful culinary experience that allows you to transform simple ingredients into an elegant dessert with very little fuss.
Why Coffee Granita is Your New Favorite Summer Treat
While granita can come in many flavors, coffee granita holds a special place, particularly for coffee lovers seeking a cool respite. This particular recipe takes strong coffee, sugar, milk, and a hint of Kahlua to create a rich, yet incredibly refreshing, frozen coffee experience. It’s more than just an iced coffee; it’s a dessert, a pick-me-up, and a delightful escape all rolled into one.
For those who adore the robust flavor of coffee but shy away from hot beverages in warmer months, this homemade coffee granita is the ultimate solution. It delivers all the beloved characteristics of a finely brewed cup – the aroma, the bitterness, the sweetness – but in a wonderfully icy form. It’s a versatile treat that fits seamlessly into any part of your day.
Customizing Your Coffee Granita to Perfection
One of the best aspects of making coffee granita at home is the freedom to customize it to your exact preferences. While our recipe provides a fantastic starting point, feel free to experiment!
- Coffee Strength: If you prefer your coffee extra strong, use espresso or a very potent double-strength brew. For a milder flavor, adjust accordingly.
- Sweetness Level: The amount of sugar can be easily modified. Start with the recommended amount and adjust to your taste before freezing. You can also experiment with alternative sweeteners like maple syrup or agave.
- Dairy or Non-Dairy: We use milk in this recipe, but you can easily swap it for your favorite non-dairy alternative like almond milk, oat milk, or soy milk for a vegan option. For a richer, creamier granita, consider using half-and-half or even a splash of heavy cream.
- Alcoholic Twist: The touch of Kahlua adds a wonderful depth and warmth to the granita, making it a sophisticated adult treat. However, it’s entirely optional. You can omit it for an alcohol-free version, or explore other liqueurs like Irish cream or a coffee-flavored cordial.
- Pure & Simple: If you’re a purist who prefers your coffee black, then, by all means, make your granita black too! Skip the milk and Kahlua and let the pure, unadulterated coffee flavor shine through.
The Simplicity of Granita Making
As mentioned, granita is essentially just frozen coffee, transformed into delicate crystals. Your freezer is the star of this show, doing most of the work. The only active step you need to take is to periodically break up the ice crystals as they form. This ensures that characteristic light, flaky texture that makes granita so irresistible. Within just a few hours, you’ll have a truly delicious frozen treat ready to be devoured. And yes, I’m absolutely serious about the delicious part – it’s surprisingly simple for such an impressive result.
I must confess, I’m not a regular hot coffee drinker. When I do crave a cup, I almost always prefer it iced. This coffee granita perfectly aligns with that preference, offering the ultimate iced coffee experience. It’s a treat you can enjoy any time of the day. Imagine starting your morning with a vibrant scoop of coffee granita – it’s a fantastic way to awaken your senses and get your day off to an energizing start. But it’s equally wonderful as a refreshing, light conclusion to an evening meal, offering a palate cleanser and a gentle caffeine boost without being overly heavy.
It’ll definitely get your weekend started off on the right foot, whether you’re enjoying a leisurely brunch or simply seeking a moment of calm. So, take a moment, put on a fresh pot of your favorite coffee, and get ready to indulge in this exquisite coffee granita!
Coffee Granita
8
servings
5 minutes
3 hours
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Ingredients
-
4
cups
hot brewed espresso or double-strength coffee -
⅔
cup
granulated sugar -
1
cup
milk -
1
tablespoon
Kahlua
, optional
Kahlua Whipped Cream:
-
1
cup
heavy whipping cream -
⅓
cup
powdered sugar -
1
tablespoon
Kahlua
, or vanilla extract
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Instructions
-
Place a 9×13 inch baking dish in the freezer.
-
In a bowl, stir the sugar into the hot espresso or coffee until dissolved. Add milk. Refrigerate until cool.
-
Pour the cooled coffee into the baking dish. Freeze for about 30 minutes, until ice crystals begin to form around the edges. Using a fork, stir and scrape around the edges to evenly distribute the crystals. Freeze for another 30 minutes and stir and scrape again, breaking up any large crystals that have formed. Continue freezing and stirring every 30 minutes until the entire mixture has crystallized, about 3 hours total. Cover and keep frozen until ready to serve.
-
Prepare the Kahlua Whipped Cream. Whip the cream on high in the bowl of an electric mixture until soft peaks form. Beat in the sugar and Kahlua or other flavoring.
-
Spoon the granita into individual glasses or bowls and top with the whipped cream. Garnish with cinnamon or shaved chocolate, if desired.
Notes
Calories:
219
kcal
,
Carbohydrates:
26
g
,
Protein:
2
g
,
Fat:
12
g
,
Saturated Fat:
7
g
,
Cholesterol:
44
mg
,
Sodium:
27
mg
,
Potassium:
80
mg
,
Sugar:
25
g
,
Vitamin A:
487
IU
,
Vitamin C:
1
mg
,
Calcium:
54
mg
Mediterranean
Dessert
Annalise Sandberg
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