This Black Grape & Ginger Granita, an Italian-style flavored ice, will provide a light cooling crunch as we make our way through these lingering steamy days of summer.
When Dom and I were dating…way back in the day…we’re talking the 80’s my friends…big big hair, shoulder pads, scrunchy socks and Wham…one of his favorite summer treats was Italian Ice. The traditional lemon flavored tart icy ice served in a large plastic cup with a small spoon and a smile. I’ve always dug that about him. If given the choice between ice cream in a cone or flavored ice in a cup – I’d say, eight times out of ten, the ice would win. Two out of ten he’d go for plain vanilla in a regular cone, not even waffle, that’s always baffled me.
So, I was walking through the market the other day and came upon California Sweet Black Seedless Grapes. I slowed the cart and came to a halt. It wasn’t so much the grape that stopped me as much as the ‘California’ did. I. Had. To. Have. These. Grapes. You know because California = Chels. Silly? Maybe. But that’s okay – the purchase proved fruitful (no pun intended).
What to do what to do? Ahhhh – granita – yes, hubby will love it!
I amped up the flavor of this ultimate chipped ice with extracted juice from the grape, fruit juice, and, are you ready? Ginger. Oh man – the spicy bite of ginger that quietly shows up as you crunch away makes for an interesting taste sensation. It’s subtle yet clearly present.
I used one teaspoon of ground ginger but feel free to add or subtract depending on your taste for it.
The combination of grape and ginger is a delicious one.
As temperatures outside continue to heat up, this granita will help cool things down as we anticipate pumpkins and mums and scarves and crunching leaves and…
Buon Appetito!
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Black Grape & Ginger Granita
- Category: Dessert
Ingredients
- 1 cup water
- 1/2 cup sugar
- 3 cups seedless black or red grapes
- 1 1/2 cup grape juice, chilled
- 1 tsp. ground ginger
Instructions
- In a small saucepan, combine water and sugar.
- Over medium heat stir mixture until sugar is dissolved.
- Remove from heat and let cool.
- Once completely cooled, refrigerate for at least 30 minutes.
- In the meantime, place 3 cups grapes in a food processor or blender.
- Process until smooth.
- Using a fine mesh sieve set over a medium size bowl, strain grapes.
- Using a large spoon or rubber spatula, press solids through the sieve to extract juice.
- Discard peel.
- Stir in sugar syrup and chilled grape juice.
- Add ground ginger and stir until completely dissolved.
- Pour mixture into 13 x 9 baking pan.
- Cover with foil and freeze for 2 hours, until edges are slushy.
- Remove from freezer and with a metal spoon, stir mixture, scraping mixture off bottom and sides.
- Return to freezer and continue freezing for 3 more hours, scraping down sides and bottom every hour.
- Cover and freeze for 3 to 24 hours more.
- To serve, remove from freezer and let sit for 5 minutes.
- With the tines of a fork, scrape across the surface of the granita.
- Spoon into chilled dessert bowls.
Ciao!
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I was in the middle of leaving a comment the other day and then got a phone call…but I haven’t forgotten how incredible this looks! Gorgeous photos and a recipe that sounds to die for! This seems like it would hit the spot without too much guilt. Pinning for sure!
Awhhh, thank you, dear! Actually, make that no guilt! Feel free to enjoy it fully! Buon Appetito!
I love frozen black grapes, they’re the best, but this ice looks fantastic.
Would have loved this today as the 99°F heat in San Diego even caused a power outage.
Ginger is fantastic note to add. I love a big thumb size piece of it juiced with cold carrots. It almost makes it taste like it’s carbonated! Give it a try. 🙂
Wow – I will give it a try! That is some flavor-overload with a zing! I can’t believe your temps these days… Stay cool, my friend!
Leg warmers, stirrup leggings, and tie dye, oh and of course Wham! Grape and ginger sounds like a wonderful combination, I can’t wait to try this!
Oh my..I am loving this trip down memory lane! Thanks, dear!
I’ve never made granita before and I feel like that needs to change after seeing this delicious recipe! This looks so refreshing and that color is too gorgeous.
It’s quite simple…and definitely worth the time you have to wait for it! Thanks, Danielle!
Haha, shoulder pads, big hair, Wham! LOL! No doubt, I remember the 80’s. Rob and I were dating then too!! I love this, Annie! So much depth of flavor and texture. I can imagine the ginger makes this granita extra special . And the grapes!! Can’t wait to give this a go!
I think you’ll really enjoy it, Traci! Thanks, friend! 🙂
Wow…this looks absolutely unbelievable. I feel like I can taste it just by looking at the pictures! It sounds so flavorful and refreshing. Pinned :)!
Thanks, Annie! It really is loaded with grape-y flavor! And it’s refreshing too! 🙂
Wake Me Up Before You Go Go and send me some of this delicious granita! I’m a huge fan of Italian Ice too and I love all things grape. I think it was a marvelous idea to take those must have California grapes and make this granita inspired by both your daughter and your sweetie!
Don’t leave me hanging on like a yo-yo! Sorry, couldn’t resist! Now you got me started… You’re a fan of Italian Ice too? I love it! I think you’ll really like this flavor combination. Enjoy, my friend! Thanks for your sweet words! 🙂
Annie, this granita sounds so delicious and looks so pretty! LOVE the use of ginger!
It’s surprising how so little goes so far. The ginger is a nice complement to the grape flavor. Thanks, friend!
With grapes being in season right now, I cannot wait to go buy some to make this recipe – it looks incredible, and I’ve literally always wanted to make a granita – so thank you for the inspiration and recipe! It looks fancy and delicious!!
That is music to my ears! I’m so happy you like it! Enjoy! 🙂
My son LOVES Italian ice. I buy the store-bought kind (Luigi’s) and he eats it too fast and starts coughing up a storm. Sounds like he and your husband would get along!
This is the most inventive, beautiful granita ever. Your skills are pretty considerable, my friend!
They would be best buds! Haha! Well, thank you my dear…so sweet! 🙂
Not only is this recipe delicious, but also this post is almost shocking. I’m talking about ice cream vs ice and a regular cone vs a waffle cone. Basically, I’m thinking about suing you, Annie! But there’s my deal – send me 5 large containers of this delicious grape ice, and I’ll forgive you:) Deal?
5 you say? Done!! Fyoooo…that was easy! hahaha! Thanks, friend!
Lol! I had a super frizzy perm, bangs so high that it looked like a satellite dish on my head, AND braces! I was not a cute child 😛
I SO love this granita! When I was a kid visiting my grandma, she would throw some red grapes in the freezer and give them to us as snacks – this cool treat you’ve created kind of reminds me of those summers. Except with making this into a granita and adding that ginger… sounds totally amazing!
Hahahah! You had frizzy hair too? My fro was so big that when I wore my color guard helmet, the ring of hair sticking out from underneath made me look like Bozo…not pretty! And don’t even get me started on the hairnet I had to wear working at the deli! But I imagine you were always cute – satellite dish and all!! Awh! I love frozen grapes and I love that this recipe resurrected a sweet memory for you! Thanks, dear!
This granita is beautiful, Annie! I love that California and your daughter inspired you to buy the grapes. So sweet! We spent most of the day outside in the heat and I wish I had some of this to cool down with! Love the grape and ginger combo!
It is so refreshing… Thanks, my friend!
This granita is the most lovely color!
These grapes are where it’s at!
Annie, this granita sounds amazing! can I have mine to go on a vodka filled chilled glass? too much?? thank you for sharing this recipe!
Okay, It’s NO Secret that I adore you and I absolutely LOVE how much you cherish your family! Whenever you talk about them my heart melts, and it’s seriously so cute that you had to have the California grapes!! Love it! I’m also a huge fan of Italian Ice and Granitas! Your granita is not only stunningly beautiful it sounds delicious! Love love loving the grape ginger combination! Yum! Pinned! I just picked up some cotton candy grapes, so I’m thinking I need to turn them into this… it won’t be as pretty or rich with flavor, but It will have to do! Cheers, lovely lady! XO
Ooooh – cotton candy grapes? I love that! And I adore YOU! So happy our paths have crossed, my friend! You’re a doll! XO
Not too much! Don’t think I wasn’t thinking a boozy version would be divine…next time! Thanks, Gaila! 🙂
Oh Wow – I love your addition of ginger to this grape granita! So interesting!
Thanks so much! 🙂
I’ve never made granita, but this looks awesome! Great flavors! Your husband must be happy!
Thanks, Mira. He is! 🙂
Black grape + ginger granita? this is genius my friend. Loved the vibrant color and refreshingly yum flavors. Need to make this beauty ASAP. Thank you for this awesome share, Annie! 🙂
Thanks, dear! This is a yummy one! Enjoy! 🙂
Oh I’ve always wanted to make granita! This looks fantastic, Annie! And I love how easy it is to make! Such a refreshing treat!
It’s too easy! If that’s possible! Hahahah! And its flavor is so pronounced. Have fun if you have the chance to try it! Thanks, Gayle!