Pomegranate granita with lychee & gin33

Posted on January 7, 2009 by ChristieGluten Free, Sweet Treats, Vegan, Vegetarian

[Pomegranate granita with lychee and gin]

Don’t you love the vibrant colours? I know that’s very immodest but I’m really proud of this combination: it’s fresh, sweet, cold and alcoholic.

There’s not much more you can ask for on a sweltering Summer’s day. Like Sydney today @ 31C. Yikes, that’s hot!

Even if you don’t need a heat-wave crusher (yes that’s you Northern hemisphere) you can still enjoy this sweet treat guilt free because it’s got barely any sugar and is choc-full of antioxidants.

I’ve also got special diets covered as it’s gluten free, vegan, dairy free, vegetarian and nut free. Phew. Have I missed any?

Although it looks impressive, it’s dead easy. Serving it with alcohol is optional but highly recommended – I promise it’s an after dinner party starter – adults only!

I used canned lychees so that I could incorporate some of the fragrant syrup into the granita mixture. You could easily use fresh lychees, if they’re in season, and substitute sugar syrup.

Special thanks again to Darcie from Zing Australia for sending over a cooler bag of POM Wonderful bottles for me to experiment with!

Happy cooking, Christie x

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Pomegranate granita with lychee and gin
serves 6-8

500ml 100% pomegranate juice ( I used a 473ml bottle of POM Wonderful)
1 cup water
1/2 cup lychee syrup* (or sugar syrup)
2 tablespoons lemon juice
4 mint leaves
canned or fresh lychees to serve
gin to serve

1. Mix all the ingredients together, except the lychees and the gin, in a shallow freezer-safe dish until well combined.

2. Place in the freezer for 30mins. Use a fork to mash up the ice crystals and scrape the solid bits from the sides of the tin (the edges freeze the quickest).

3. Repeat every 30mins until you have a granita consistency, about 3-4 hours. It should resemble a ‘slushy’, ‘snow cone’ or large ice ‘bread crumbs’ – see picture above. Remove and discard the mint leaves.

4. Layer the lychees in the bottom of glasses and top with the granita. Serve a shot of gin on the side.

*I used canned lychees so that I could incorporate some of the fragrant syrup into the granita mixture. You could easily use fresh lychees if they’re in season and substitute sugar syrup.

GOT A FRUITY SWEET TOOTH? Check these out:
Orange and almond cake w/ orange syrup
Tropical fruit skewers with Vegemite Caramel
Apple and macadamia nut crumble

  • http://spicyicecream.blogspot.com Lisa

    hahaha I made a pomegranate granita with my POM too!!!

  • http://www.notquitenigella.com Lorraine E

    I’m going mad with the POM too, sadly I’ve become addicted to it :P It looks lovely and just the ticket on this hot Summer’s day!

  • http://citrusandcandy.blogspot.com Karen

    Ooh yum…anything with lychee…yes please!! And the colours are just fabulous :)

  • http://souvlakiforthesoul.com Peter G

    Sexy. Delicious. Impressive. Great stuff Christie. I love this. So easy!

  • http://passionforeating.blogspot.com Kristen

    So I live in the frigid north at the moment, but it is pom season so I think I will make some! I love lychees, canned is all you get around these parts, and the gin will warm things up. Perfect for a winter party! I absolutely love it! You come up with some fabulous stuff!!!

  • http://blog.lemonpi.net Y

    That looks so good! Wish I had some of that yesterday!

  • http://www.morningcopy.com.au Dillon

    Great summer treat – the lychee surprise at the bottom was next level!

  • http://www.hogletk.wordpress.com Arwen from Hoglet K

    Yum lychees! Great colour.

  • Rosalyn

    The most refreshing and delightful treat. Thanks Christie, it was so delicious!

  • http://www.africanfeeling.com.au African Feeling

    Yum yum yum Christie, looks very nice – especially during Summer. I wish someone would bring me one while I work :p

  • http://www.flour-arrangements.com/ Sophie

    This looks gorgeous and grown-up, a classy treat. The colors really make it pop! Very neat way to use the poms :). Hope you’re having a great ’09 so far!

  • http://atablefortwo.shisso.org billy@ATFT

    Delicious. Can you believe it I couldnt find any pomegranate over Xmas for a salad I want to make! So unfair!

  • http://tehsaltymelon.blogspot.com Piee

    mmm…i could use some of that now! I love my alcohol =D

  • http://www.pigpigscorner.com/ pigpigscorner

    Love pomegranate and lychee! Great colours.

  • http://www.figandcherry.com Christie

    @Lisa – It’s begging for it isn’t it!?
    @Lorraine – I’m totally addicted too, and it’s quite expensive!
    @Karen – Thanks! I love lychee too.
    @Peter G – Sexy? Thanks!
    @Kristen – Hope your guests love it!
    @Y – You should have come over!
    @Dillon – Glad you liked it darling.
    @Arwen – Yay, another lychee fan!
    @Rosalyn – You’re welcome. You’re a great taster ;)
    @African Feeling – I bet you do ;)
    @Sophie – Classy? Love that description!
    @Billy – I can’t find fresh ones anywhere either!
    @Piee – Hehe. The gin certainly adds to the taste.
    @PigPig – Thank you!

  • http://dragonskitchen.blogspot.com Dragon

    You had me at fresh, sweet, cold and alcoholic. You’re evil; did you know that? Don’t ever change. :)

  • http://www.gourmetworrier.com/ MsGourmet

    I could do with one of those -like now!

  • http://www.figandcherry.com Christie

    @Dragon – You’re hilarious! I promise not to change :)
    @MsGourmet – Shame you’re in Melb or I’d invite you round. I’ve still got some left…

  • http://www.kalasgott.blogg.se Jennie

    This granita looks so good!!
    Yummy!

    // Jennie, a swedish food-blogger.

  • http://www.norecipes.com Marc @ NoRecipes

    Nicely done! I’ve blown through my 8 bottles of POM, and still have more ideas in the hopper.

  • http://www.figandcherry.com/ Christie

    @Jennie – Thanks! It’s very refreshing on a hot day.
    @Marc – I’d like some more POM too! (Hint to PR companies!!!!) :)

  • http://passionforeating.blogspot.com Kristen

    My guest loved it, I made it into sorbet and a bit sweeter for the kids as well as the adults. I was wondering if you would mind if I posted my results on my blog with links to your recipe and credit to you? If you would rather I didn’t I will understand.

    Thanks for the great recipes and inspiration.

  • http://www.figandcherry.com/ Christie

    @Kristen – So glad it worked out for you Kristen! I’d love to see the results – please do post them on your blog! Looking forward to it :)

  • http://aromasysabores-heidileon.blogspot.com/ heidi leon

    WOW….pom+lychee, who in this world does not like that combination?. Besides that, you add some alcohol?. Grrrreat!.

    I wish it were cooler in here so I can give it a try! Can’t wait for spring to come :-)

    ps. good luck at the BCA!

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  • http://www.leslielancasterfitness.com Leslie Lancaster

    Wow! I can’t wait to try this. Christie, you’re very talented! It looks so refreshing and delicious. I plan to serve it in martini glasses topped with a lychee and sprig of mint….very sophisticated :) Thanks so much

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  • http://www.tariflerim.net Asim Usta

    Totally seductive; what else to say !!

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