Red Wine Granita with Chocolate Flavored Whipped Cream | www.floatingkitchen.net

Red Wine Granita with Chocolate Flavored Whipped Cream

This post was originally published here August 31, 2015. I’ve since updated the text and photographs. This easy, no-bake “adult-only” dessert will keep you cool in the Summer heat!

I’m swooping in today to bring you this REAL easy, no-bake, adult-only Summer treat. Let’s go!

If this will be your first venture into granita territory, I’ll give you a heads up now and tell you that you’re very likely to become obsessed with them. They truly couldn’t be any easier to make (if you can wield a fork, then you can make a granita!). And the flavor combinations are yours to get creative with.

To make this Red Wine Granita with Chocolate Flavored Whipped Cream, you’ll start by combining water, sugar and red wine. Pour this liquid mixture into a baking pan and let it partially freeze. Then use a fork to scrape/break up the partially frozen mixture into granules. Wait 30 minutes and repeat that last step two more times. And voilà! You have a granita!

Red Wine Granita with Chocolate Flavored Whipped Cream | www.floatingkitchen.net

While you’re going through the above freezing/scraping process, you can make the whipped cream. And I also recommend placing a couple serving glasses in your freezer to chill. Granitas melt quickly (especially in the heat of late August!) and pre-chilling your glasses will help them to last a bit longer so you can enjoy them at a more leisurely pace.

Personally, I love the subtle chocolate flavoring in the whipped cream because chocolate + red wine = YUM. But if chocolate extract isn’t at your disposal, you can substitute in vanilla extract.

Red Wine Granita with Chocolate Flavored Whipped Cream | www.floatingkitchen.net

AND if you want to change things up even more, try making this recipe with a rosé. Or any of your favorite juice flavors for a non-alcoholic dessert. Like I said above, this frozen treat is totally customizable!

Cheers,

Liz

Red Wine Granita with Chocolate Flavored Whipped Cream

Red Wine Granita with Chocolate Flavored Whipped Cream

At a Glance:
Yield: Serves about 6
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 5 minutes
Additional Time: 1 hour 30 minutes
Total Time: 1 hour 45 minutes

Ingredients

For the Granita:

  • 1 cup water
  • 1/4 cup granulated sugar
  • 2 cups red wine (I used a Beaujolais)

For the Whipped Cream:

  • 1 cup heavy whipping cream, cold
  • 2 tablespoons powdered sugar
  • 1 tsp. chocolate extract

For Topping:

  • Chopped dark chocolate

Instructions

  1. In a saucepan over medium-high heat, stir together the water and sugar until the sugar is dissolved. Set aside to cool. Once the mixture has cooled, stir in the wine.
  2. Pour the wine mixture into a 9 X 13-inch baking pan and place it in your freezer. After an hour, remove the baking pan from your freezer and use a fork to scrape the mixture, breaking it down into smaller granules. The granules don’t need to be uniform or very small at this stage. Aim for sizes anywhere between an almond and a cherry tomato.
  3. Place the baking pan back in your freezer for 30 minutes. Then scrape the mixture a second time. Repeat this process one more time. Then cover the baking pan with plastic wrap and keep it in your freezer until you’re ready to serve the granitas.
  4. Meanwhile, place the bowl of your mixer and the whisk attachment in your freezer for about 5 minutes to chill them. Then remove them from the freezer and immediately add the heavy cream, powdered sugar and chocolate extract to the bowl and start whisking on medium-high speed. Once the cream starts to thicken, increase the speed to high and continue whisking until medium peaks form. Cover and refrigerate.
  5. Place your serving glasses in your freezer for about 5 minutes to chill them.
  6. To serve, spoon some of the whipped cream into the bottom of your chilled serving glasses. Then fill your glasses with the granita. Garnish with chopped dark chocolate, if desired. Serve immediately.

56 comments on “Red Wine Granita with Chocolate Flavored Whipped Cream”

  1. I can’t believe that it’s the last day of August, either! Which means that lots of this granita is needed! I love how easy this is to whip up. And it sounds just perfect with the chocolate whipped cream!

  2. So pretty much frozen wine. I’m obsessed. And so with you on summer coming and going like that. Why does winter drag itself out, but summer is always in a hurry to leave??

  3. I KNOW. I can’t believe it’s the last day of August too! Which means I will be crying my sorrows out into this granita. I mean frozen wine on a Monday? I’m IN. Pinned!

  4. I am with you, Liz! I can’t handle summer coming to an end. BUT, making this fabulous granita, hiding in my walk in closet, and devouring a VAT of this deliciousness might help me cope. A little. Seriously, this is beautiful and all sorts of YUM! I love granitas, but you hit my weakness with the addition of red wine! (<– because alcohol in food = YES) Pinned! Cheers, pretty lady! To a day as gorge as this granita!

  5. Holy moly this looks absolutely sensational!!!

  6. Girl I hear ya! I’m so sad that summer has to end. Darn school! But this looks like a good way to drown your sorrows. Love the red wine + chocolate combo!

  7. Oh my gosh, this is perfect. I can’t get over it. This granita deserves to become a year-round kinda thing

  8. I love granitas Liz and the combination of the red wine and chocolate flavored whipped cream sounds awesome! I am hating that it’s the end of summer too, but I’m thinking these granitas will be perfect all year long!

  9. I feel like this would be totally acceptable to eat while knocked up…Love me a good boozy granita!

  10. Ohhh summer….if it weren’t for the fact that we’re dying for precipitation over here, I would say I wish it could be summer all year long! It just comes and goes so quickly. Can you believe I’ve never in my life had a granita?? I’m wine obsessed, so I had better make this treat happen lickety split…I can see my next fixation on the horizon!

  11. So elegant and good!

  12. That chocolate whipped cream has my name written alllll over it!

  13. Just the title of this post had me HOOKED! This looks amazing 🙂

  14. This looks delicious! I love wine in desserts!

  15. I’ve always wanted to make granita! This sounds fabulous, just the perfect “end” of summer treat! I’ll take mine with extra chocolate whipped cream, please. 🙂

  16. Granita is the best and the red wine is an awesome flavor 🙂

  17. Nothing sounds better to me today, seriously awesome

  18. I totally get it! More popsicles just went into the freezer and I’m about to get started on a batch of ice cream! Thank you for continuing to stay on the Summer Train, Liz. I’m with ya! And wow, what a fun way to enjoy wine and with a bit of chocolate! Love this recipe!

  19. Red wine. I just have to try this!

  20. You had me at red wine granita and then you went and put chocolate flavored whip on it! Also, I can’t believe it’s the end of summer either–tear! Where does the time go? Oh well, at least it means we’ll be cozying up with fall/winter soups and stews in no time…. 🙂

    • Just talking with my mom today and she said soups are her favorite thing about fall. I love them too! And honestly, I’m still going to be eating frozen treats, no matter the weather! 🙂

  21. I have been sitting under a rock—I’ve never made granita before! I can’t wait to try some of my Landmark wine on this!

  22. I KNOW. This summer went by way too quickly, but here it is definitely fall…the leaves are even changing (SOB!) I might just turn up the heat and make this granita anyways 😉 Looks delicious!

    • Oh man. It’s 90 degrees here all week, so I’m definitely NOT turning up the heat. Ha! I need air conditioning and frozen desserts!

  23. I’m not ready for summer to end but what keeps me going is fall (my fave season) and getting back into a routine for the kids. . dude, love these!!! HOORAY for boozy frozen treats! I love granita!

    • Fall is actually my favorite too, despite the fact that I’m lamenting the end of summer. I guess I’m always sad to see the seasons change. Except winter. That can change, no problem. 🙂

  24. Um, I know what I am making this holiday weekend! Dang girl! This looks amazing!!

  25. This granita would make for a great refreshing treat on Memorial Day!

  26. I feel the same way! I can’t believe how fast this summer went by! Love this gorgeous granita! I’ve never made one but dang it’s gotta happen this weekend! 🙂

  27. Stop. The. Madness. This sounds incredible Liz, perfect for the end of summer! xx

  28. I adore granita – one of my favorite things about summer!

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