How to make granita, an icy summer refresher

A granita is made up of sweetened fruit juice or pureed fruit that is frozen and raked/massaged to a texture that’s crystalline instead of smooth. A granita is not a sorbet. KCRW’s Evan Kleiman says it’s like a frozen Mexican fruit drink.

The easiest way to make granita:

Puree the fruit of your choice.

Alternate way to make granita:

Pour your sweetened, pureed fruit into a 9 x 13 pan.

Set it in the freezer.

Here’s a melon-specific granita recipe

How to make sugar syrup:

Put equal parts sugar and water in a pan and cook over medium-high heat, stirring frequently until the sugar is completely melted. Store in the refrigerator.