Italian Ice

Cool off on a hot day with this refreshing and easy-to-make Italian Ice recipe, a frozen treat bursting with bright, natural flavors! Crafted from just four simple ingredients—granulated sugar, water, fresh lemon juice (or your favorite fruit juice), and optional lemon zest—this dessert brings a delightful balance of sweetness and tanginess to every bite. The recipe uses a simple yet effective granita-style freezing technique, ensuring a perfectly fluffy, icy texture that melts beautifully on the palate. With only 15 minutes of prep time and no special equipment required, this make-at-home Italian Ice is a must-try for summer gatherings, afternoon snacks, or a light and fruity dessert. It's endlessly customizable, too—just switch up the fruit juice for endless flavor possibilities. Serve in cups or bowls for an elegant, nostalgic treat that will keep everyone coming back for more. Perfect for satisfying your sweet tooth without pulling out the ice cream maker!

Nutriscore Rating: 63/100

Prep Time:15 mins

Cook Time:5 mins

Total Time:20 mins

Servings: 4

Ingredients

• 1 cup Granulated sugar
• 2.5 cups Water
• 1 cup Fresh lemon juice (or any fruit juice of choice)
• 1 teaspoon Lemon zest (optional, for added flavor)

Directions

Step 1

In a medium saucepan, combine the granulated sugar and water over medium heat.

Step 2

Stir the mixture constantly until the sugar is completely dissolved to create a simple syrup. This should take about 5 minutes. Do not allow the mixture to boil.

Step 3

Remove the simple syrup from the heat and let it cool to room temperature, about 15-20 minutes.

Step 4

Once the simple syrup has cooled, stir in the fresh lemon juice and optional lemon zest (or your chosen fruit juice). Mix thoroughly to combine.

Step 5

Pour the mixture into a shallow, freezer-safe container. A metal baking dish or glass container works best for faster freezing.

Step 6

Place the container in the freezer. After 30 minutes, use a fork to scrape and stir the mixture, breaking up any ice crystals that begin to form.

Step 7

Repeat the scraping and stirring process every 30 minutes for about 2-3 hours, or until the Italian Ice reaches a fluffy, granita-like consistency.

Step 8

Once fully frozen, serve the Italian Ice in bowls or cups immediately. For storage, keep it covered in the freezer for up to one week, but scrape and fluff again before serving.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	1039.1 grams (1039.1g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	816

Total Fat 0.50g	1%
Saturated Fat 0.00g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 0.00g
Cholesterol 0mg	0%
Sodium 21mg	1%
Total Carbohydrate 216.90g	79%
Dietary Fiber 1.00g	4%
Total Sugars 206.10g
Protein 1.00g	2%

Vitamin D 0IU	0%
Calcium 51mg	4%
Iron 0mg	2%
Potassium 249mg	5%

*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Source of Calories

Fat: 0.5%

Protein: 0.5%

Carbs: 99.0%