Lemon Granita Recipe: Easy Spanish Slushy Drink 2026

Cool down on the hottest days with this irresistibly refreshing lemon granita. It's a simple frozen slushy made from fresh lemons, sugar, and ice, with no special kitchen equipment required. You just freeze the lemon mixture in an ice cube tray and blitz it with cocktail ice for a bright, icy treat.

Because you freeze the mixture in small cubes, you can prepare it well in advance and keep them in the freezer, ready to blend whenever a craving strikes. The sugar balances the natural tartness of the lemons, and you can adjust the amount to taste or swap in another sweetener if you prefer.

Ingredients for Lemon Granita

This recipe makes 4 servings.

• 4 large lemons
• 100 g white sugar (adjustable to taste)
• 500 g cocktail ice
• A few mint leaves (optional, for garnish)
• A few lemon slices (optional, for garnish)

How to Make Lemon Granita Step by Step

1. Zest the Lemons

First, wash 4 lemons well so you can zest 2 of them. You only need the yellow part of the zest; if you add the white pith, it will give the granita an unpleasant bitter taste.

2. Juice the Lemons and Mix

Once you have the lemon zest, cut 4 lemons in half and squeeze them, pouring all the juice into a bowl. Add 100 grams of white sugar and the lemon zest.

3. Freeze the Mixture

Mix these ingredients until the sugar has dissolved, then fill an ice cube tray with the resulting mixture. Put it in the freezer and wait at least 2 hours for the liquid to freeze completely.

4. Blend with Ice

After this time, take the ice cube tray out of the freezer, remove the lemon cubes, and put them in your blender. Add 500 grams of cocktail ice and blend the mixture until smooth. A powerful food processor or a jug blender would also be good alternatives for this step.

5. Serve and Garnish

To finish, fill 4 glasses with the lemon granita and, optionally, garnish them with a few mint leaves and a small piece of lemon slice in each one.

Tips for the Best Lemon Granita

Use Whole Lemons

Use whole lemons because you'll take advantage of both the juice and the zest of the peel. This gives the granita a deeper, more aromatic lemon flavor.

Freeze in Ice Cube Trays

Freezing the granita mixture in small ice cubes makes it easy to crush later without any special kitchen equipment. You can also prepare the mixture ahead of time and keep the cubes in the freezer so you can make a fresh granita whenever you like.

Adjust the Sweetness

Sugar is essential to balance the acidity of the lemon, but you can also choose a less caloric option by replacing it with another sweetener, according to your preferences, or by adjusting the amount to taste.

30 Go-To Recipes I Keep Coming Back to at Home

If you're anything like me, your kitchen rotation probably includes a little bit of everything—cozy comfort classics, tried-and-true dishes from around the globe, and sweets that make everyone happy.

When a rich, indulgent treat is calling my name, I'll reach for this La Viña Molten Cheesecake recipe, this sophisticated Original French Crème Brûlée recipe, or a luscious Chocolate Mousse Cake recipe. And on days when I want something fruity and cozy, this timeless French Tarte Tatin recipe is my reliable pick.

Come breakfast time or when I'm after a lighter bite, I'll whip up these airy Oatmeal and Banana Pancakes recipe, a hearty Stuffed Sweet Potato recipe, or these bright Eggs Stuffed with Avocado and Salmon recipe. And for a gluten-free staple I can keep on hand, this no-fuss Gluten-Free Rice Flour recipe does the trick.

For tapas nights and Mediterranean-inspired spreads, I'll bounce between this punchy Basque Tuna with Tomato recipe, golden Patatas Bravas Air Fryer recipe, velvety Tirokafteri Greek Dip Sauce recipe, and a cool Burrata Salad with Tomato and Pesto recipe. And when the occasion calls for something a touch fancier, this elegant Italian Vitello Tonnato recipe is a favorite of mine to serve.

Hearty midday meals and slow, cozy suppers are where these shine: the warming Meatballs in Spanish Sauce recipe, time-honored Meatballs in Almond Sauce recipe, deeply savory Italian Bolognese Sauce recipe, and silky Chicken Croquettes in Thermomix recipe. Craving something even more substantial? I'll bake up this hearty Greek Pastitsio Pie recipe, a homey Potatoes and Squid Stew recipe, or the ultimate comfort plate, this French Boeuf Bourguignon recipe.

When street-food cravings hit or I'm feeding a crowd, out come this succulent Homemade Chicken Doner Kebab recipe, crunchy Salchipapas recipe, boldly seasoned Mexican Pork Carnitas recipe, or these crisp Korean Hobak Jeon recipe. These fuss-free Air Fryer Zucchini Rings recipe also make a great little appetizer or snack.

And when I'm mixing drinks and planning a whole spread for company, dinner often gets paired with a cool Original Cuban Mojito recipe, a strong Long Island Iced Tea recipe, or a pitcher of this fruity Bleeding Spanish Sangria recipe. To tie the whole meal together, I like setting out this zesty French Remoulade Sauce recipe on the side, or finishing the table with this eye-catching Mediterranean Black Rice with Squid recipe.

Even More Tasty Recipes the Whole Family Will Enjoy

After years of cooking, testing, and tweaking in my own kitchen, I've come to believe the finest dishes are built on three things: simplicity, dependable technique, and serious flavor.

These are the recipes I find myself making over and over—whether it's a fast solo meal or a festive spread for loved ones.

On the sweet side, the rich, velvety Orange Chocolate Mousse Recipe is a go-to when I want something that feels fancy yet comes together easily. Another dessert I adore is the caramelized Trdelnik Slavic Pastry Recipe, modeled after the beloved Central European chimney cake. If baking is your thing, knowing how to make syrup for better dessert texture really helps, and my Inverted Sugar Recipe walks through exactly how I do it at home.

For something light and effortless, I'll typically make the traditional Italian Caprese Salad Recipe or a flawlessly cooked Simple Poached Egg Recipe. When I want a heartier comfort dish, I'm quick to suggest the filling Meatball Sandwich Recipe, the creamy Russian Stroganoff Beef Recipe, and the speedy weeknight winner, this One Pot Pasta Recipe.

I'm also a big fan of sharing dishes rooted in tradition from all over the world, like the genuine Sorropotún de Bonito Fish Stew Recipe, crisp Chilean Pumpkin Sopaipillas Recipe, and Spain's classic Cochifrito Segovian Fried Pig Recipe.

Air fryer cooking is another category I turn to often, since it delivers great texture without eating up time. My regular lineup includes the Air Fryer Pork Ribs Recipe, Air Fryer Chicken Thighs Recipe, Air Fryer Sweet Potatoes Recipe, Air Fryer Baked Potatoes Recipe, Air Fryer Peppers Recipe, Air Fryer Mixed Sandwich Recipe, Air Fryer Toasted Bread Recipe, and Air Fryer Hard-Boiled Eggs Recipe.

And for those steering clear of wheat, my cozy Gluten-Free Lasagna Recipe shows that a classic baked pasta can still be indulgent, cheesy, and completely satisfying without any gluten.

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