12 Granita Recipes for a Refreshing Frozen Treat

On the spectrum of frozen desserts, Sicilian-born granitas fall smack between sorbet and shaved ice. Ingredient-wise, they contain not much more than fruit, sugar, and water — though they can certainly be made with cocoa, coffee, or nuts instead of fruit. Unlike sorbet, granitas are not churned in an ice cream maker, so they’re not as dense and don’t hold a scooped shape. Rather, they’re scraped for a lighter, flakier texture; in Sicily, the coarseness of the ice varies by region. This collection of granita recipes serves up that icy deliciousness in all kinds of ways, from an almond granita with a brioche roll for a whimsical, refreshing breakfast to a vibrant strawberry granita topped with honey-sweetened dessert pesto.