Lemon & Lime Crush Recipe
Introduction
This refreshing Lemon & Lime Crush is a vibrant frozen treat perfect for warm days. Combining citrusy zest, tangy juice, and aromatic lemongrass, it offers a bright and invigorating flavor. It’s easy to prepare and makes a beautiful and cooling dessert.
Ingredients
- 6 lemons
- 6 limes
- 1 large stick lemongrass
- 4 lime leaves (optional)
- 250g sugar
- 500ml boiling water
Instructions
- Step 1: Zest 2 lemons and 2 limes, then juice all 6 lemons and 6 limes. Set the empty halved lemon and lime shells aside for serving later.
- Step 2: In a bowl, combine the citrus juice, zest, lemongrass stick, lime leaves (if using), and sugar. Pour over the boiling water and stir until the sugar fully dissolves.
- Step 3: Allow the mixture to cool and infuse, then strain the syrup into a shallow tray.
- Step 4: Place the tray in the freezer. Every 30 minutes, use a fork to scrape and break up the ice crystals until the mixture forms a fluffy granita texture.
- Step 5: Fill the reserved lemon and lime halves with the granita and return to the freezer until ready to serve.
Tips & Variations
- For extra aroma, crush the lemongrass slightly before adding it to the mixture.
- If lime leaves are unavailable, add a small piece of fresh ginger for a subtle kick.
- Adjust the sugar based on your preference for sweetness or the tartness of your fruit.
- For a grown-up twist, drizzle a splash of gin or vodka over the granita before serving.
Storage
Store the granita covered in the freezer for up to 3 days. If it hardens too much, leave it in the fridge for 10 minutes and then scrape with a fork to revive the fluffy texture before serving.
How to Serve
Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.
FAQs
Can I prepare the granita without lemongrass or lime leaves?
Yes, the granita will still be delicious with just lemon and lime juice and zest. The lemongrass and lime leaves add a subtle fragrance but are optional.
How do I serve the granita in the lemon and lime shells?
After juicing, carefully halve and hollow out the lemons and limes, leaving enough shell to hold the granita. Freeze the shells first so they stay firm, then fill them with the frozen granita mixture just before serving for an impressive presentation.
Print
Lemon & Lime Crush Recipe
- Total Time: 3 hours 15 minutes (includes freezing and scraping time)
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
Description
A refreshing and tangy Lemon & Lime Crush granita featuring zesty citrus flavors infused with lemongrass and lime leaves, perfect for a cooling summer treat served in frozen citrus shells.
Ingredients
Citrus Fruits
- 6 lemons
- 6 limes
Herbs and Leaves
- 1 large stick lemongrass
- 4 lime leaves (optional)
Other Ingredients
- 250g sugar
- 500ml boiling water
Instructions
- Prepare Citrus: Zest 2 lemons and 2 limes carefully and set aside the zest. Juice all 6 lemons and 6 limes thoroughly, reserving the empty fruit shells for serving the granita later.
- Combine Ingredients: In a bowl, combine the citrus juice, lemon and lime zest, lemongrass stick, lime leaves if using, and sugar. Pour 500ml of boiling water over the mixture and stir well until all the sugar dissolves completely.
- Infuse and Cool: Allow the mixture to cool to room temperature while letting the lemongrass and lime leaves infuse their flavors into the syrup.
- Strain Syrup: Strain the infused lemon syrup through a fine sieve into a shallow tray, removing the solid lemongrass and leaves to ensure a smooth liquid.
- Freeze Granita: Place the tray in the freezer. Every 30 minutes, use a fork to scrape and break up the forming ice crystals to create a light, fluffy granita texture. Repeat this scraping process several times over 2-3 hours until fully frozen.
- Prepare Serving Shells: Place the reserved lemon and lime halves in the freezer to chill and slightly freeze, making them perfect natural bowls for serving the granita.
- Serve: Spoon the fluffy granita into the chilled citrus shells and serve immediately for a delightful, refreshing dessert.
Notes
- Using freshly zested citrus enhances the citrusy aroma and flavor of the granita.
- The optional lime leaves add a subtle herbal note; remove if unavailable.
- Scraping the granita regularly during freezing prevents large ice crystals for a smooth texture.
- For a less sweet version, reduce the sugar amount slightly.
- The frozen citrus shells not only look charming but help keep the granita cold longer.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Freezing
- Cuisine: International
Keywords: lemon granita, lime crush, citrus dessert, lemongrass infusion, frozen treat, summer dessert
