Saturday, August 18, 2012

Aperol Granita


After my daughter returned from her honeymoon in Italy in 2007, she told us about a cocktail that seemingly everyone was drinking as an aperitif in Italy. Five years ago, Aperol was very hard to find in liquor stores here with only one Italian specialty store miles away selling it. Now, Aperol seems to have soared in popularity in the United States and even the New York Times has taken note! The beverage, which is milder in taste than Campari and also contains less alcohol, can be found in well-stocked liquor stores locally now.


Earlier this summer, Sam at My Carolina Kitchen posted a recipe for an Italian granita made with Campari. I knew as soon as I saw her post, that I would eventually try making it with Aperol. I loved the lemon juice in Sam's recipe, which was adapted from The Silver Palate Cookbook.


You will want to savor this delightfully refreshing adult dessert on a hot summer evening while we still have them :) It would also make a wonderful palate-cleanser between courses of a formal dinner. If you'd like to try the original Aperol Spritz, please see my post here from last summer.

Even, though this is not really ice cream, is is an 'ice' so this will be my contribution to the Ice Cream Social at Kitchen Bouquet!

Aperol Granita
Adapted from The Silver Palate Cookbook via My Carolina Kitchen
Printable Recipe

Serves 6

3 cups strained fresh orange juice
1 cup Aperol
Juice of 1 lemon
1 cup granulated sugar
Mint sprigs for garnish

Combine all ingredients in a heavy saucepan and set over moderate heat. Stir constantly until the mixture until very hot and all the sugar is dissolved but do not allow to boil.  Cool to room temperature and then pour into a shallow pan and place in the freezer. Scrape the frozen mixture with a large spoon or spatula once every hour or so to prevent ice crystals from forming. The mixture will take from 3 to 6 hours to freeze. After it is completely frozen, scrap the granita into a container with a cover for longer-lasting storage.  It is best eaten within several days.  

To serve, garnish with mint sprigs and orange zest, if desired.



56 comments:

  1. O, my, this does sound delightful. I hope our liquor store carries the Aperol...I would love to try this...(AND the homemade fudgesicles I just spotted on your sidebar...:)

    I love this party !! :)

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  2. Oh wow that does sound really good Susan. The citrus and the mint together sound very fresh and cool! I love the European habit of aperitifs. I will have to look for Aperol. In Washington state we just passed a law so we can now have real liquor stores (instead of state run) so new stores are popping up everywhere so there is a chance! Granita definitely counts in my book since the social is all about trying new things and like my sorbet I think Granita is a close cousin :-) Thanks so much for playing again at this years Social. I have been a slacker but I really do love this event so it was good inspiration for me to start blogging again!

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  3. Not only does it sound fabulous, it looks beautiful. I'll have to look for campari. Great photos as always.

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  4. I tasted Aperol in a cocktail and it is good. Makes everything a pretty color, too. xo

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  5. I have a mission to find Aperol. Your granita looks delicious--the color alone is enticing!
    Somehow I missed this recipe in The Silver Palate which is one of my favorite cookbooks. So, with you and Sam and The Silver Palate behind me, how can I fail?

    Best,
    Bonnie

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  6. It looks completely refreshing and totally beautiful. I am certain that it is delicious as well.

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  7. This does look very delicious!!! Sounds like a nice dessert to have at the beach on a warm evening too!

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  8. Bet that is refreshing.
    Enjoy your weekend.

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  9. I've never heard of Aperol, but I would love to make this granita for the gorgeous color alone!

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  10. The color is sublime:) I am really into orange again:)

    I think your idea of palate cleanser is so good~
    Yes while we can still have warm nights..
    I found the air different last night..It's gorgeous out..but there's a coolness to the breeze..the light is different today also..

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  11. I am always surprised by how much I learn by reading my favourite blogs.

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  12. It's gorgeous, I love the color! Fun pics-enjoy:@)

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  13. I had to look up Aperol...the granita sounds delicious. I would any dessert orange flavored over chocolate, except ice cream!

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  14. That looks wonderful...and the color is gorgeous! :)

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  15. Since I'd never heard of this, I didn't know if I would be reading about an entree, a dessert, a pizza, or a vacation spot, but now that I know, it looks delicious.

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  16. this look absolutely nice I really love it!!

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  17. Can you believe at first glance, I thought the title was apple granola :P
    Oops! But this looks more inviting and refreshing!

    Cheers
    Choc Chip Uru

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    1. Perhaps your parents would let you try it, CCU. Apple Granola would be good too, though :)

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  18. It looks lovely, Susan.. I have seen it in liquor stores here in NY , and on the menu in some restaurants. An adult slushee! :)

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  19. A cousin was telling me recently of a wonderful granita made with mulberries he had in Italy somewhere ; this sounds and looks so refreshing I must find some Aperol and try it; the Summer here in Beirut has been trying!

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    1. My parents used to have a mulberry tree, Joumana. That would be delicious!

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  20. Whoa what an awesome granita! And the perfect Cocktail Friday treat :)

    Sues

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  21. I can completely understand what an incredible success this treat would be on a blistering hot day! Yesterday, friends served basil popsicles in the middle of a lovely farm to table meal - but it was so hot, that the cold treat was thr highlight of the meal.
    This would make a lovely palate clenzer, too, don't you think?
    YUM!

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  22. This looks so refreshing! I don't think I have ever tried Aperol before...must look out for it next time when I visit the liquor store.

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  23. How beautiful..if it tastes as good as it looks it will be a big winner. Just by reading your description I can almost taste it!!

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  24. Beautiful post! I've never heard of Aperol before, always on the watch for new cocktail ideas. So true about the summer weather, felt more like fall than August here today. A little concerned about what's the come! :)

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  25. I am tucking this away for next summer, and I'll be ready to serve it on a blistering hot day. The last few days have felt like fall here. I love fall, but I am not ready for the cooler temperatures just yet.

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  26. I love the idea of this granita as a palate cleanser. The citrusy flavors with a splash of aperol captures much of what summer should be.

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  27. this looks great new to me must give it a try

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  28. this looks great new to me must give it a try

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  29. What a gorgeous color and it looks so light and refreshing~ perfect for this time of year! Aperol isn't a liqueur I'm familiar with and your Spritz recipe sounds wonderful :)

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  30. a really lovely dessert Susan, I can't wait to try soon! Have a good day my dear,hugs & kisses....

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  31. I really got to know palate cleansers when I started writing the blog and saw how popular they were in the 19th century. WHo knew? I always thought it was an 80's invention to have a little grapefruit or lemon sorbet between courses. This is a great recipe I have copied gratefully. Many thanks!

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  32. I've never heard of this aperitif but it sounds like it goes lovely in this granita!

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  33. Looks so refreshing and delicious! Love the lovely colour, I am not familiar with Aperol but I could tell that I will love it!

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  34. Looks delicious, and a very refreshing and elegant treat! Very pretty color, too!

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  35. This is such a beautiful Granita! I've never tried the aperol before and I have a feeling I would love it a lot. See if I can get one when I do my grocery shopping tomorrow.

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  36. I never heard of Aperol...but sounds perfect in this granita...so refreshing and lovely color Susan.
    Thanks for the recipe and hope you are having a fun week :)

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  37. I am familar with Campari but not Aperol. I must try it! Your granita looks so refreshing, Susan..it's still hot and humid here in NYC.

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  38. Aperol seems to be very popular in Europe. I saw so many people having it when we were there last fall. I'm going to have to see if it is in the liquor stores here in New England as your granita sounds so refreshing.

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  39. I've never tried Aperol but this looks like a perfectly elegant summer treat!

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  40. I've never heard of Aperol but I love the color. It reminds me of peaches. What is the flavor like? I can't wait to try this, it's so pretty.

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  41. It's not hard to fall in love with granitas is it. I'm so glad you've introduced me to a milder Campari and I'll be sure to be on the lookout for it. Thanks for the shout-out. I'm a little late getting here. I thought I followed, but I've taken care of that now.

    Have a great weekend.
    Sam

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  42. I never even heard of this recipe, interesting. Richard

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  43. We were in Italy several years back but I do not remember this drink. Remember Limoncello but not this. Have to look around in the stores here :)

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  44. I've never had Aperol but I need this in my life. Sounds amazing.

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  45. The color of the granita is just stunning. It is so beautiful. I am still in the summer mood with icy desserts too. I can't be rushed into fall.

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  46. I have never heard of Aperol here in Greece but the granita sure looks very tasty an the color is so profound!

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  47. Dearest Susan,
    I've never tried Aperol but it looks absolutely delightful! Gorgeous color! Hope you have a wonderful weekend :)

    Hugs <3

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  48. What fun to learn about something new! I have tried Campari but have never heard of Aperol. We have a few weeks left of dinners on the patio and this would be a lovely ending to a summer meal.
    I hope you have a lovely holiday weekend, Susan.

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  49. We did not have this when we were in Italy! What a miss! Everyone was busy serving limoncello, I guess it never came to this one:(
    I am glad it is more common here now. Will definitely find it.

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  50. I think you will love it, Ilke. Both the cocktail and the granita are so refreshing for the warmer months.

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