Watermelon Mint Granita with Ninja Slushi

Forget the chore of scraping the dish with a fork every half hour: the machine handles crystallization all by itself. Before the Slushi, I spent my afternoons scraping my freezer bin to avoid getting a giant ice cube. Today, you just need to mix this fruity and fragrant blend, then let the Slush program work. The result is deliciously icy, with a perfect consistency to enjoy with a spoon.

Watermelon Mint Granita with Ninja Slushi

Recipe by Camille Roos

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Course: Slush / granitaCuisine: Difficulty: Easy

Servings

4

people

Prep

10

minutes

Freeze time

45

minutes

Total time

55

minutes

Forget the chore of scraping the dish with a fork every half hour: the machine handles crystallization all by itself for a perfect icy result.

Ingredients

• 800 g watermelon flesh (seedless)

• 15 fresh mint leaves

• 40 ml lime juice (about 1 large lime)

• 60 ml cane syrup (or agave)

• 100 ml water

Instructions

• Place the watermelon flesh, mint leaves, lime juice, syrup, and water in a standard blender and blend until you get a smooth liquid. Watermelon contains 92% water: a little syrup prevents the formation of a solid block.
• Strain the mixture through a fine sieve to remove remaining mint pieces and thick pulp if you prefer a very smooth finish.
• Pour the preparation into the Ninja Slushi bowl, checking that the level is between the min and max marks.
• Select the Slush program and let it run until you get the desired consistency, ideal for spooning, then serve immediately.

Watermelon Mojito Version (with alcohol)

Watermelon Mojito Version (with alcohol) : Add 120 ml of white rum directly into the blender with the other ingredients and select the Frozen Cocktail program instead of Slush. (Alcohol abuse is dangerous for your health, consume with moderation).

The secret to a successful set with water-rich fruits

I often hear that water-rich fruits are enough on their own for a healthy dessert. That is true for a juice, but with the Slushi, the dynamics change completely. Watermelon is almost entirely composed of water. If you do not add a minimum amount of sugar, your machine will have a hard time creating that characteristic granita texture. The liquid might simply freeze into a rigid block of ice against the bowl walls, which sometimes triggers an alert beep. To bypass this, adding cane syrup plays the role of an anti-freeze. It lowers the freezing point of the mixture and allows the blades to churn the preparation continuously. Depending on the ripeness of your fruit, do not hesitate to taste the liquid mixture: it should seem slightly too sweet at room temperature to be well-balanced once very cold. You will thus obtain that refreshing quality without sacrificing consistency in the glass. If you like this method, my strawberry granita with Ninja Slushi follows exactly the same basic principle.

To strain or not to strain?

A question that often comes up with mint and whole fruits concerns passing them through a sieve or strainer. Personally, I prefer to strain the preparation for this specific dessert. Small bits of crushed mint tend to oxidize and turn brown with the cold, which looks a bit less appetizing in the glass after a few minutes. Additionally, removing excess thick pulp makes the appliance’s work easier. The liquid circulates better around the auger, and the setting is often faster and more consistent. If you do not have a fine sieve on hand, it is not a disaster: your drink will just be a bit more rustic on the palate. And if you are curious to test other herbal flavors without small bits stuck in the straw, the approach is the same for a homemade ginger ale granita with Ninja Slushi, where a clear and bright visual result is desired.

Do you strain the preparation before pouring it, or do you prefer to keep all the fruit pulp?

Frequently asked questions

Why is my watermelon granita taking longer to set?

Fruits very rich in water may require a bit more churning time. Make sure the bowl is not filled beyond the max line and that your mixture contains enough sugar.

Can I replace the mint with basil?

Yes, basil pairs perfectly with watermelon and lime. Follow exactly the same method and strain the mixture well for a clean visual result.

The Slush program is not giving me the texture I want, what should I do?

If you find the result too liquid after 45 minutes, it might be that there is not enough sugar to bind the crystals, or the room is very hot. Let the appliance run for a few more minutes.