How to Make Lemon-Lime Granita

Lemon Lime Citrus Granita – a simple, refreshing summer dessert

This post is sponsored by Zevia® but the opinions are my own.

There’s still time to enjoy an easy late-summer treat. This Lemon Lime Citrus Granita is light, bright, and perfectly balanced—slightly sweet, very refreshing, and naturally dairy-free. It’s an ideal dessert for warm evenings when you want something cool and simple without feeling weighed down.

This granita starts with a can of lemon-lime Zevia—a naturally sweetened soda made with stevia—combined with fresh citrus juice for real, vibrant flavor. The soda adds a subtle sweetness and a clean citrus backbone, while the juices bring body, acidity, and a fresh aroma. The result is light, bright, and ideal when you want something uncomplicated but delicious.

Why this works: granita is essentially flavored ice that is scraped as it freezes to create delicate, flaky crystals. Using soda plus fresh citrus keeps the texture icy and scoopable while preventing the mixture from freezing into a solid block. The process is simple and forgiving, making this a great recipe for cooks of all skill levels.

Lemon Lime Citrus Granita

A simple, delicious dessert that’s dairy-free and perfect for summer entertaining or a quiet treat at home.

Ingredients

1 can Lemon Lime Zevia
Juice of 2 oranges
Juice of 1 lemon
Juice of 1 lime
Kosher salt, for rimming (optional)
Lime wedges, for serving

Instructions

Combine: In a freezer-safe, shallow container, pour the can of lemon-lime soda and add the fresh juices from the oranges, lemon, and lime. Stir gently to combine so the citrus and soda mix evenly.
Freeze and scrape: Place the container uncovered in the freezer. After about 30 minutes, check the mix and use a fork to scrape and fluff the forming ice crystals. Return to the freezer and repeat scraping every 20–30 minutes until the granita is fully frozen with fluffy, flaky crystals. This usually takes about 1–1½ hours depending on freezer temperature and container depth.
Serve: If you like, rub a lime wedge around the rim of a glass and dip it in kosher salt. Spoon or scoop the granita into glasses, garnish with lime wedges, and serve immediately.

Tips and variations

If you prefer a sweeter granita, sweeten the citrus juices lightly with a little simple syrup or honey before combining with the soda. Taste first—the soda adds sweetness on its own.
Add fresh herbs for an herbal note: a few torn mint leaves or a sprig of basil folded into the mixture before freezing gives a mellow aromatic twist.
For fruit-forward variations, substitute some of the citrus juice with a smooth fruit purée (mango, strawberries, or watermelon) and adjust freezing time as needed.
Use a shallow, wide container so the mixture freezes faster and produces finer crystals. A metal baking pan works especially well.
Store any leftover granita in an airtight container in the freezer. It will keep its best texture for several days; scrape with a fork to refresh the crystals before serving.

Serving suggestions

This granita is versatile: serve it as a palate-cleansing dessert between courses, as a light finale to a summer meal, or as a chilled treat alongside grilled dishes. It also makes a festive non-alcoholic option for gatherings—finish with a lime wedge or a sprig of mint for a pretty presentation.

Nutrition (per serving)

If you made this recipe and enjoyed it, feel free to leave a rating or note any changes you made. Small substitutions—more or less citrus, a different sweetener, or an added herb—can tailor the granita to your taste.

Enjoy the last days of summer with this easy, cooling Lemon Lime Citrus Granita—bright, icy, and refreshingly simple.