Rhubarb Granita with Whipped Cream (Rhubarb Ice)
Rhubarb granita is a flavor you probably won’t find in Italy, but trust me when I tell you that you will love this icy treat! Sweet and sour comes together beautifully, and is even better with whipped cream.
Last year, I finally shared a strawberry granita recipe. It’s one of my favorite recipes that I discovered (or was forced to try, haha!) whilst traveling.
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I’m so grateful to my Uncle Nino for not only taking me to Sicily in the first place, but insisting that I try the traditional Sicilian breakfast of granita with a fluffy brioche! I never would have tasted it if it wasn’t for him.
The three flavors that were served in the bar where my uncle took me in that little hilltop village outside of Messina were lemon, coffee, and strawberry granita. I have made strawberry and lemon granita, but got an amazing idea to try making rhubarb granita last year!
It was fabulous, and despite the fact that there are virtually no searches for “rhubarb granita” on Google, I have to share this recipe with you! It’s a dream, especially for rhubarb lovers and when served with freshly whipped cream!
Rhubarb Granita with Whipped Cream
(Rhubarb Ice)
recipe by Christina Conte serves 8
FULL PRINTABLE RECIPE BELOW
Start by making sure you have space for a metal pan in the freezer.
Place the rhubarb, lemon juice and sugar in a pot.
Begin over low heat, then turn up to medium and stir often, keeping an eye on the pot with the lid on. It will cook quickly.
Lower the heat if it simmers too fast (it can boil over easily). After a few minutes, it will look like this.
And after another few minutes, it will be ready.
Let cool, then chill for about 2 hours or until cold. Put the rhubarb compote in a blender, or use an immersion blender to process to a purée.
Mix the rhubarb purée and the water then pour into a metal pan and place in the freezer.
Begin setting a timer for 45 minutes intervals. When the timer sounds, remove the pan from the freezer and stir well with a fork. The first time, it will seem like it’s not working, but it’s okay.
Put the pan back into the freezer. Continue this for at least 4 or 5 times or until the granita is ready.
You will know when you have ice crystals instead of a solid mass. It will also become lighter in color.
Transfer to clear serving glasses or dessert bowls, if serving immediately. If not, move the granita to a sealed container and keep frozen.
Garnish with a piece of rhubarb coated in sugar. Keep it dairy-free by serving as-is.
If you are serving it with cream, top the rhubarb ice with freshly whipped, unsweetened cream as I show with a strawberry granita here, using an iSi gourmet whip.
If you really want the authentic Sicilian experience, then make some brioche and dip it into the cream and granita!
Honestly, it’s so wonderful!
Rhubarb Granita with Whipped Cream (Rhubarb Ice)
Special Equipment
- 1 metal pan
- 1 immersion blender or blender
Ingredients
- 4 cups rhubarb (chopped- if using cups, chop first, then measure, but I highly recommend using a scale)
- 1 Tbsp lemon juice (freshly squeezed)
- 3 cups water
- 1 cup sugar
- 8 oz whipping cream (optional, whipped until thick)
Instructions
- Start by making sure you have space for a metal pan in the freezer.
- Place the rhubarb, lemon juice and sugar in a pot and cook until soft. Let cool, then chill for about 2 hours or until cold.
- Put the rhubarb compote in a blender or use an immersion blender, and process to a purée.
- Mix the rhubarb purée and the water then pour into a metal pan and freeze.
- Begin setting a timer for 45 minutes intervals. When the timer sounds, remove the pan from the freezer and stir well with a fork. The first time, it will seem like it's not working, but it's okay. Put the pan back into the freezer. Continue this for at least 4 or 5 times or until the granita is ready. You will know when you have ice crystals instead of a solid mass.
- Transfer to clear serving glasses or dessert bowls, if serving immediately. If not, move the granita to a sealed container and keep frozen.
- If you are serving it with cream, top the rhubarb ice with freshly whipped, unsweetened cream. Serve with a Sicilian brioche for an authentic experience.
Notes
Nutrition
Enjoy!
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As a child in Scotland I’d freshly pick rhubarb from my Grandmother’s garden and dip in sugar for a treat. I didn’t know it could be made into a granita. I will share the recipe with my fellow Scots here in California.
(Moka Coffee Set)
Oh yes, I loved that, too! Rhubarb granita is amazing! Drawing a winner today!
This looks good and very Italian! I’m picturing a spring in Cinque Terre.
Oh I hope you can, that would be lovely! I have yet to visit Cinque Terre!
I miss rhubarb. Growing up in Washington state, I swear everybody had this growing in their front yards. But now I live in Texas and haven’t seen it grown since I moved here. This looks wonderful, though. I wonder if I could track some of this down somewhere around here…
Hi Autumn, I feel for you! You’ll have to keep your eyes peeled in the springtime, now isn’t rhubarb season so you definitely won’t have any luck. Ask at your local grocery store, Whole Foods, or even order online in March/April. It’s definitely worth the bother to track it down! Good luck!
Well, you’re right I never came across this flavor in Italy but I’d love to try it… !
If you love granite and you love rhubarb, you can’t go wrong, Frank!
Awesome, yet another recipe for our huge plot of rhubarb. I will definitely try this and I’ll be experimenting by making some rhubarb gelato as well. Thanks!
Wonderful, I’m so envious!
Christina, this is so GORGEOUS! I would love to try it, and I will. (This has been teasing me on social media today.) :-) ~Valentina
Aww thanks, Valentina! I do hope you give it a try, it’s so refreshing!