Escape the summer heat with a delightful twist on a classic favorite: iced tea granita. This icy treat offers a tantalizing blend of sweet tea flavors with a refreshing chill. Granita is perfect way to cool down on scorching days or to impress guests at house party. With its simplicity and versatility, this recipe promises a burst of flavor that will leave your taste buds tingling.
About This Recipe
Necessity really is the mother of innovation, especially in the kitchen. This was vividly evident during a particularly challenging yet joyous phase of my life—my pregnancy. I was carrying my lovely lil’M, trying to stay cool in the sweltering heat of summer. My cravings were few and far between during my pregnancy. But there was one particular delight I constantly yearned for—ice tea granita.
Granita is a semi-frozen dessert originating from Italy, typically made with sugar, water, and various flavorings. One day, driven by my craving, I brewed a very light tea, sweetened it slightly, and poured it into a shallow dish to freeze. After about an hour, I took it out and scraped it with a fork, creating fluffy ice crystals. The sensation of eating the granita was incredibly satisfying; it cooled me down and gave me a deep sense of gratification.
This homemade granita recipe quickly became my go-to treat. It was when I served this delightful concoction at a summer gathering with friends that I realized just how much of a hit it was with everyone else. They adored its refreshing taste and the original twist on traditional ice tea.
Encouraged by their love for my granita, it has become a regular feature at our summer parties. It’s not only a fantastic way to beat the heat but also a joyful reminder of the creativity born out of my pregnancy cravings. So here is the recipe with a twist, giving your regular ice tea a chilled makeover that’s perfect for any summer day.
Iced Tea Granita Ingredients
Tea Powder: Rich, aromatic flavor of tea powder infuses iced tea granita with a distinctively bold and fragrant essence. I prefer using Taj Mahal brand.
Sugar: Adds the perfect touch of sweetness to iced tea granita. Its subtle caramel undertones complement the tea’s flavor profile. Creates a delightful blend that’s refreshingly sweet without being overpowering.
Cardamom: Lends a subtle yet unmistakable warmth to granita. With its delicate floral notes and hints of citrus, cardamom elevates the flavor of tea. Adds depth and complexity to each icy spoonful.
Water: The pure essence of hydration. Water serves as the canvas upon which our iced tea granita masterpiece unfolds. From brewing the tea to forming delicate ice crystals, water plays a crucial role.
Lemon Slices (for Garnish): Adds a burst of vibrant citrus flavor. Their tangy acidity cuts through the sweetness of the granita, awakening the palate with a refreshing burst of sunshine in every spoonful.
Iced Tea Granita
What sets Iced Tea Granita apart is its unique texture that falls somewhere between a slushie and shaved ice. The granular ice crystals give it a satisfying crunch, while the tea infusion adds a subtle complexity to the flavor profile. Imagine enjoying a spoonful of icy tea goodness on a scorching summer day – the perfect combination of chill and flavor that will cool you down in the most delightful way.
This iced tea granita recipe combines the timeless charm of iced tea with the icy thrill of granita. It’s a breeze to make, requiring just a few ingredients and minimal effort. Simply brew your favorite tea, sweeten to taste, then freeze and scrape into delightful icy crystals. The result? A refreshing treat that’s both satisfyingly sweet and wonderfully cooling. Enjoy it solo or as a delightful addition to your favorite summer desserts. refreshingly cool and satisfying treat that’s perfect for summertime indulgence.
This post is last posted in 2012 as a guest post at Priyanka’s Buon Appetito.
Iced Tea Granita Recipe
Whether you're a tea enthusiast or a frozen dessert lover, this iced tea granita is bound to become your new go-to for beating the heat. Get ready to transform your favorite iced tea into a frosty delight that promises to cool you down and lift your spirits!
Ingredients
- ½ tbsp. Tea powder (I used Taj Mahal brand)
- 1 ½ tbsp. Sugar
- 1 no. Cardamom, crushed lightly, optional
- 1 cup Water
- 2 Lemon slices, for garnish
Instructions
How To Make Iced Tea Granita
- Brew Your Favorite Tea: Start by brewing a strong pot of your favorite tea with cardamom pods (if using). Whether you prefer black tea, green tea, herbal tea, or a fruity blend, the choice is yours!
- Sweeten to Taste: Add sugar or a sweetener of your choice to the hot tea while it's still steeping. This will ensure that the granita has the perfect level of sweetness once frozen.
- Freeze the Tea: Pour the sweetened tea into a shallow baking dish and place it in the freezer. Every 30 minutes, take a fork and scrape the mixture to create a slushy texture. Repeat this process for about 3-4 hours, or until the entire mixture has turned into light, icy flakes.
- Serve and Enjoy: Once the granita has reached the perfect consistency, scoop it into bowls or glasses and enjoy! You can garnish it with fresh mint leaves, a slice of lemon, or even a splash of soda for an extra twist.
- Add love to make this Iced tea Granita taste 'Yummy'.
Notes
Tips for the Perfect Iced Tea Granita
So, you've decided to whip up a refreshing batch of iced tea granita. Let's make sure it turns out absolutely perfect by exploring some essential tips for mastering this delightful treat.
Freezing Techniques
When it comes to freezing your iced tea granita, the key is to achieve that ideal texture that is both slushy and light. Here are some freezing techniques to help you nail it:
- Shallow Freezing: Spread the brewed tea mixture in a shallow dish to freeze it faster and ensure a finer granular texture.
- Frequent Fluffing: While the granita is freezing, use a fork to fluff and break up the ice crystals every 30 minutes. This step prevents the mixture from freezing into a solid block, resulting in a fluffy consistency.
- Overnight Freezing: For the best results, allow the granita to freeze overnight. This extended freezing time enhances the flavor and texture, giving you a scoopable treat the next day.
Nutrition Information:
Yield:
2Serving Size:
1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 42Total Fat: 0gSaturated Fat: 0gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 0gCholesterol: 0mgSodium: 5mgCarbohydrates: 11gFiber: 0gSugar: 10gProtein: 0g
The nutritional information provided is approximate and is calculated using online tools. Information can vary depending on various factors, but we have endeavoured to be as accurate as possible.
Shama Nagarajan says
good one..nice pic
Paaka Shaale says
What a great dessert. Loved the infusion of tea and cardamom in the granita
Tina says
Sounds interesting..
Archana says
Lovely pictures. Off to Priyanka to see the recipe.
Archana says
Lovely pictures. Off to Priyanka to see the recipe.
Suja Manoj says
Great post,refreshing and flavorful.
Only Fish Recipes says
wow…iced tea…loved the concept…looks awesome !!!!!
Priya says
Wat an excellent guest post Lubna, just went through this incredible granita at Priyanka's space.well done.
Shweta in the Kitchen says
Hi, First time here & really liked your blog. Happy to follow you. Do drop byhttp://shwetainthekitchen.blogspot.com/
Satrupa says
Woow that looks so refreshing :)Interesting recipe 🙂
Kannada Cuisine says
Wow..delicious and beautiful as ever
Home Cooked Oriya Food says
very bice clicks… sure sounds like twist to me too…
Valarmathi Sanjeev says
Nice recipe…looks refreshing and yumm… beautiful work on ice cream sticks.
MyFudo™ says
LOve to try this unique recipe. The presentation is as catchy too. Thanks for sharing.
Spice up the Curry says
so innovative granita.
Jayanthi says
Amazing recipe and love the crisp picture. I've been wanting to make granita and I love twist in recipe…right in time for summer.