Red Wine Granita with Vanilla Ice Cream

May 14, 2014
Food,Recipes

Who else is melting in this California heatwave?? I wish I had thought of this genius combination of granita and ice cream, but alas I did not. That credit must go to Sketch in Berkeley, California, where they combine different granita flavors with soft serve ice cream. Brilliant. I’ve added my own twist by making a red wine granita– couldn’t be easier or more refreshing!

Red Wine granita with vanilla ice cream

Start by preparing the granita. Pour half a bottle of red wine (I used a Malbec) into a large baking dish. In a small pot melt the sugar with the water until dissolved. Add the sugar water to the wine and mix to combine. Place in the freezer.

Red wine granita

After about 1 hour, or when you start to see ice crystals form on the edges. Using a fork, scrap the icy edges to the center of the mixture. Repeat this process every 30 minutes until you get a whole tray of ice crystals.

Scraping granita

The whole process should take about 4 hours. You could even do this the day before and simply assemble the granita before serving. Resist the urge to plant your entire face in the granita. (How gorgeous is the color of the granita? They look like little rubies!)

Red Wine Granita

To assemble the granita, combine one scoop of vanilla bean ice cream in a small glass with a heaping spoonful of the red wine granita.

Red wine granita and vanilla ice cream

Serve quickly before it all melts.

Red wine granita

You could even serve the red wine granita on top of vanilla panna cotta or budino.

Red wine granita with vanilla ice cream

Or, simply enjoy it on its own.

Red wine granita bite

Red Wine Granita with Vanilla Ice Cream

Ingredients:

  • 1/2 bottle of red wine
  • 1/3 cup of sugar
  • 1 cup of water
  • 1 pint of vanilla bean ice cream

Directions:

  • Pour half a bottle of wine in a large baking dish.
  • In a small pot, heat the water and sugar until the sugar is dissolved. Pour sugar-water mixture into the baking dish and combine with the wine.
  • Place in the freezer and after one hour scrape the sides with a fork, bringing the ice crystals to the middle. Repeat this process every 30 minutes. The whole process takes around 4 hours.
  • To assemble the dessert, place one scoop of vanilla bean ice cream in a small glass and top with heaping spoonfuls of the granita.

(images by HonestlyYUM)

Conversation

This is just gorgeous! I have never heard of granita, but I think I want it in my life. Like, now.

Such pretty layers, love the mix of ice cream and granita!

I’m pretty sure that all the best food creations come out of California. What an inspired idea. And it looks like you recreated it beautifully!

Those photos are awesome – especially the ones taken from above the two glasses!! Sounds like the perfect poolside summer dessert!

Wow, that’s something really interesting and I know someone who will love it! Thanks for sharing! 🙂

I made granitas recently but they don’t come close to how crazy good this one is. The flavoring, the ice cream, the photos. AMAZING!

These photos are gorgeous!! And yes, I could use some of this right now. Yesterday was brutal in SD! I had to put my window AC unit in this morning.

This. Is. Amazing. Really, I have nothing more to say. *drool*

i am so into this! the color is beautiful. and… heat wave?!? i only just yesterday was able to put away the winter scarves.. oy!

Oh I love granita so much! I made a mint-watermelon one a few years back and I’ve been looking for an opportunity to make some more. And a boozy opportunity is a good opportunity 🙂 x

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