How to Make Coffee Granita
This refreshing granita al caffè is a classic Sicilian treat made with sweetened and frozen strong coffee with its ice crystals scraped to perfection. Light, frosty, and full of bold espresso flavor, it’s the perfect breakfast or afternoon pick-me-up on a hot day.
Servings: 4
Calories: 197kcal
Ingredients
- 3 cups freshly brewed strong coffee or espresso hot
- 1 cup granulated sugar adjust to taste
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract optional
- Lightly sweetened whipped cream for serving, optional
Instructions
- In a medium bowl or pitcher, stir the sugar into the hot coffee until dissolved. Stir in the vanilla if using. Taste and adjust sweetness as desired. It should taste slightly sweeter than you’d drink it, as freezing will dull the sweetness. The more sugar you add, the slushier the granita will be. The less sugar, the more icy the texture will be.
- Pour the mixture into a shallow baking dish, then place in the freezer for 45 minutes.
- Once ice crystals begin forming around the edges, use a fork to scrape them toward the center. Return to the freezer.
- Continue scraping every 30-45 minutes until the mixture is fully frozen into fluffy, separate ice crystals. This usually takes about 3-4 hours total, but will vary depending on the size of your pan.
- Mix the ice crystals together to make them slushier until you reach your desired consistency. Place back in the freezer to firm up for a few minutes before serving if it starts melting too much.
- Scrape thoroughly each time to avoid large pieces of crunchy ice, then stir the crystals around at the end until you reach your desired consistency.
- Spoon it into chilled glasses and top with whipped cream if desired. Serve quickly before it melts!
Notes
- Brew strong espresso coffee so the flavor stays bold after freezing.
- A shallow, preferably metal pan will freeze faster and make scraping easier.
- Scrape thoroughly each time to avoid large pieces of crunchy ice.
- Quickly blend in a food processor to achieve a smoother texture.
- Chill your glasses or bowls ahead of time to help the granita stay colder, longer.
- For an authentic Sicilian granita, serve with a brioche roll or sweet bun on the side.
Nutrition
Calories: 197kcal | Carbohydrates: 50g | Protein: 0.2g | Fat: 0.2g | Saturated Fat: 0.003g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.003g | Monounsaturated Fat: 0.03g | Sodium: 4mg | Potassium: 90mg | Sugar: 50g | Calcium: 4mg | Iron: 0.04mg
