Summer Melon with Basil-Mint Granita

A refreshing summer dessert featuring fresh melon wedges topped with a crystalline basil-mint granita and drizzled with lime syrup. This elegant dish combines the sweetness of melon with bright herbal and citrus notes.

8 servings
5 hr 15 min

Ingredients

  • ¾ cup sugar
  • ¾ cup mint leaves
  • ¾ cup basil leaves
  • 2 tablespoons lime peel
  • cups lime juice
  • cups water
  • 3 whole melons
  • 2 tablespoons mint leaves

Cooking Instructions

  1. 1.

    Mix sugar, chopped mint, basil, and lime peel in medium bowl. Mash with wooden spoon until herbs turn dark green, about 3 minutes. Stir in lime juice and 1 1/4 cups water. Let stand 1 hour. Strain into large bowl, pressing on solids. Transfer 1/2 cup lime syrup to small pitcher; cover and refrigerate. Pour remaining lime syrup into 13x9x2-inch metal baking dish. Place dish in freezer. Stir syrup with fork every hour until frozen, about 4 hours. (Can be made 1 day ahead. Cover and keep frozen.)

    300 min

  2. 2.

    Divide melon wedges among 8 shallow soup bowls. Drizzle melon with reserved lime syrup. Scrape granita into flakes with fork. Spoon generous 1/2 cup granita atop melon in each bowl. Sprinkle with sliced mint leaves, garnish with mint sprigs, and serve.

    15 min