Italian ice is the perfect way to cool down on hot summer days. This Ginger Watermelon Italian Ice recipe is refreshing and pleasantly gingery.
The End of Summer
Every August, the same things happens. I suddenly realize that summer is winding down. Fall is right around the corner. And then I freak out.
"Summer is almost over! I didn't eat enough corn!"
"Soon it will be fall and I've only bought watermelon 3 times!"
"How can it be August and I haven't used my ice cream maker yet?"
Yes, I freak out about not eating enough corn. Hush! Corn is delicious!
So like clockwork, that happened this month. I realized I haven't taken advantage of watermelon being in season and that I haven't made any ice cream. And really, you can never eat enough corn, can you?
Obviously, I had to remedy this! I made a corn salad and then I decided to kill two birds with one stone and make Ginger Watermelon Italian Ice in my ice cream maker. I first discovered the ginger-watermelon combination when I had the idea to use ginger syrup to sweeten underripe watermelon. In general, I'm a big fan of adding ginger to just about anything. I love the spiciness and, being prone to migraine-related motion sickness and nausea, I love the fact that ginger calms my stomach too. (Do you get car sick? Try ginger gum or chews. The stronger the better.) Ginger gives the sweet, mild flavor of watermelon a little bit of a kick.
About the Recipe
About the RecipeThe nice thing about this Ginger Watermelon Italian Ice recipe is that it's easily adaptable. Do you have a lot of mint growing in the garden? Add that to the syrup instead of ginger. Basil will work well too. Use plain simple syrup and add the zest from a lemon or lime or two for a more citrusy flavor.
📖 Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 cup water
- 1 cup white sugar (organic for vegan-friendly)
- 3 oz ginger root, peeled and cut into thick slices
- 6 cups seedless watermelon, chopped
- 2 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
Instructions
- Combine water, sugar, and ginger in a medium saucepan over medium-high heat, stirring often. Once syrup comes to a boil, reduce heat to low; simmer for 10 minutes. Remove from heat and allow to cool. The longer you allow the mixture to cool, the more ginger-y the Italian ice will be. Discard ginger or use it to make candied ginger.
- Puree syrup, watermelon, and lemon juice in blender or food processor. Refrigerate watermelon mixture for about an hour (you can leave it right in the blender jar or food processor bowl).
- Pour watermelon mixture into ice cream maker and churn according to manufacturer's instructions. Transfer to airtight container and freeze for about 2 hours before serving.
Nutrition (estimated per serving)
This post was originally published on 13 Aug 2012.
Liz @ A Nut in a Nutshell says
I'm positive that the ginger would make me love that even more. Ginger makes me happy. Looks delish!
Kiersten says
Do you ever buy Blenheim Ginger Ale? (Have we discussed this before?) It is the gingeriest (it's a word!) thing in existence. I make a cranberry sauce with it--so good! So gingery!
The Mrs @ Success Along the Weigh says
I did the same thing when I saw corn at the grocery last night. I was like "I need to make more corn (insert anything here)"
Super cute cups for the ice!
Kiersten says
Corn freak-out! I could really eat it everyday but it goes bad so quickly once you get it home. So we have it once a week, at most. Sad!
Jackie @ Domestic Fits says
I do the same thing. I start to panic when the farmers market start to thin out of my favorite produce, like apricots that you pretty much can't get out of season. I love this granita! And I love that it's dairy free.
Kiersten says
We're lucky to have a long growing season here, but I found myself freaking out ever-so-slightly when I went to the farmers market this weekend and all the booths were starting to have fall veggies alongside the summer ones.
Samantha says
I freak out the same way. Not enough summer produce in my belly!!!
Kiersten says
Oh good, I'm glad I'm not the only one who goes into a summer produce-related panic every August. Summer goes by too fast!
JulieD says
So pretty and yummy, Kiersten!
Natalie @ Once Upon a Cutting Board says
I'm having a similar freak-out right now .. Especially with every other blogger talking about Fall foods already when there are still so many summer foods I need to eat more of!
Kiersten says
I know, all the booths at the farmers market here are starting to sell fall veggies now. Too soon!
Emily says
Another delightful recipe, another day that I wish I were your neighbor.
Kiersten says
Ha! Well, there's a house for sale down the block. 😉
Pam says
This looks divine. I am going to buy an icecream maker this week. And ginger also helps clear skin from what I hear. So a great food habit to start with children before they hit their teens.
Happy Summer Eating!
Pam
Kiersten says
It took me so long to finally get an ice cream maker and I don't use it all the time, but when I do use it, I'm so glad I have it!
Heidi @ Food Doodles says
LOL! I do the same thing every year too! And I've just started doing it for this year. Too funny. What a great idea for a cold treat 🙂 And I love the color of it!
Kiersten says
I'm so glad other people do that too. Because I thought this was completely me being neurotic. 😉
Alicia@ eco friendly homemaking says
Oh could this look anymore refreshing!? Really this just looks awesome!!
Kiersten says
Thank you! And yes, it is so refreshing--perfect on a really hot day. 🙂
Kelly @ Texas Type A Mom says
An ice cream maker is now on my wish list! This looks so good - I can't wait to try it!
Kiersten says
Get the KitchenAid attachment!
Brenda Williams says
You keep posting these kind of photos and my monitor will soon be completely clean...one lick at a time. WOW that looks good!
Kiersten says
I was really worried I'd have to take photos of this recipe a second time. Anything frozen is so hard to photograph!
Angie@Angie's Recipes says
This looks so lovely! I like the addition of ginger.
Kiersten says
I will add ginger to just about anything! It almost always works. 🙂
Alison @ Ingredients, Inc. says
Looks amazing!! I am off to pin this
Lake says
Never thought of mixing watermelon and ginger (=
I did it a little different. I made a single serving by freezing the water melon first then blending it with a few pieces of candied ginger and a splash of lemon juice. Super yummy (=
Kiersten says
I love this idea--especially with the candied ginger! I have a big bag of it in the pantry right now, in fact. 🙂
Genevieve says
That looks so refreshing! I love adding ginger to everything too, but I've never tried it with watermelon. I love how watermelon can pair so well with spicy or strong flavours though, so I bet the ginger works really well in this recipe! Also, I've definitely started to feel the pressure in getting enough use of summer produce before its gone - I haven't had my share of local corn or garden tomatoes yet!
Kiersten says
I'm definitely making some corn recipes this weekend! Unfortunately, local corn hasn't been very good this year because we've had a lack of rain. But I'll take what I can get!
Anne - Mommy Has to Work says
That looks so refreshing!
Jennifer H says
I love this!!
Dee @ Cocktails with Mom says
Oh me definitely want some!
Alison says
Oh my!! I loooooove Ginger and I love Watermelon! I can't wait to make this. Or attempt to make it hehe.
Kiersten says
If I can make it, you can make it. 😀
Katie says
yum! that looks like a perfect summer treat!
Shirley says
I'm in love with the spoons and paper cups! SO cute. I am exactly the same about summer. I practically hiss when teacher and parent friends talk about kids going back to school, or when my Austen book club starts planning the Christmas party in August. I've eaten plenty of watermelon and corn this summer, fortunately, but I always miss them so much come fall and the long winter. This ice looks amazing!
Kiersten says
But you can never eat enough watermelon or corn! Never!
Kristin says
You can probably make this without an ice cream maker too. Cut up watermelon and put it in a zip-loc bag in the freezer. Make sure the sugar/water/ginger mixture has cooled completely. Add all ingredients in blender. You might have to play around with the proportions to get the right consistency. Or you can have a wonderful smoothie too!
Kiersten says
Thanks for the tip! It would make a great granita too. 🙂
Alexa says
Sounds delicious! Water melon is in season in South Africa and I can't wait to try it!
Is there a possibility of replacing the sugar with something more natural?
Have a great fall!
Kiersten says
I haven't tried making the recipe with anything other than sugar, so I can't really say for sure! I think honey might work...
Debbie says
Yes to be honest I was a little shocked when I saw 1 cup of sugar!!! What?!? For a watermelon recipe? No thank you ☹️
Eric says
I made this tonight & found the ginger had mellowed so much in the syrup that I just blended into the mixture, turned out terrific. I think I would like to try again & use basil as well, Thanks,
Kiersten Frase says
I'm glad you enjoyed the recipe!