One-Ingredient Concord Grape Granita

Grape Granita

This post was sponsored by Welch's.

I have a beef with store-bought ice pops. Why all the added sugar, artificial sweeteners, flavors, and colors? The fundamental ingredient in ice pops should be fruit and juice, ingredients that are naturally colorful, sweet, and tasty. Does it need to look neon green? Or taste like a gummy worm?

Instead, I often make my own pops. And today, I step up my frozen treat game one teeny tiny notch by making Concord Grape Granita. The recipe calls for just one ingredient — 100 percent grape juice made with Concord grapes — and no fancy equipment.

  • No snow cone machine required.
  • No pop molds needed.
  • No added sugar, artificial flavor, or purple food dye necessary.
  • And just two minutes of your time. Tops.

That’s less time than it will take to find your keys to get to the market to buy those ice pops.

More importantly, is the flavor you get with that one weensy ingredient. For me, it’s like childhood in a cup. Juice made with Concord grapes was a fridge staple when I was a kid. In the summer my mom would alternate filling a cooler with that or lemonade and haul it to the beach where we’d spend the day.

And here’s the killer upside about the juice: it’s made with Concord grapes, which are thought to have all manner of healthful benefits. My kids are crazy about them, gobbling them down during the brief stint they show up in markets each fall.  Blink and you’ll miss them.

Concord grapes are distinct from other grapes, including many table grapes, because they have a thick, dark purple skin and crunchy seeds. They tend to have more polyphenols (powerful antioxidants) than grapes without seeds because these healthy plant nutrients are present in the seeds. The vibrant purple hue of the juice comes largely from the dark skins of the grapes, another concentrated source of polyphenols, which have health-promoting benefits, including benefits to heart health.

And so, I encourage you to skip the boxed pops and get your granita on. Better and better for you than a neon green gummy worm pop any old day.

grape granita

One-Ingredient Grape Granita

The beauty of this frozen treat is that it's made with just one little ingredient: concord grape juice. Inspired by a traditional Italian ice, otherwise known as granita, the tangy grape flavor makes for a tasty snack or sweet.
Course Dessert, Snack
Prep Time 5 minutes
Servings 3 1/2 cups (7 half cup servings)
Calories 44 kcal
Author Katie Morford

Ingredients

  • 2 cups 100 % grape juice made with Concord grapes

Instructions

  1. Pour grape juice into an 8x8-inch pan. Set in a level spot in the freezer.
  2. After about 1 1/2 hours, it should be partially frozen and somewhat solid around the edges. Pull it from the freezer. Use a fork to chop it up around the edges and run it through the center to break up the frozen sections into small ice crystals. Put it back in the freezer.
  3. After another 1.5 hours, it should be fully frozen. Remove it again and use the fork to break it completely into little ice crystals.
  4. Serve immediately or transfer to a covered container and store until ready to eat. You may need to break it up again with a fork when you pull it out to serve.
  5. Scoop into little bowls or cups and serve with small spoons.

Grape Granita

Grape Granita

Comments

07.14.2015 at7:03 AM #

Leslie

Hi Katie,
Did you buy this grape juice locally or make it your self?
Leslie

07.14.2015 at7:03 AM #

Katie Morford

Hi Leslie! I bought it. You can find it in ordinary supermarkets under the Welch’s brand.

07.14.2015 at7:57 AM #

Katie @ Mom to Mom Nutrition

Funny how before I read this post I thought granita was difficult to make. Boy was I wrong! My son would love this— especially after an afternoon playing outside!

07.14.2015 at7:57 AM #

Katie Morford

I agree Katie. It sounds fancier than it is. My kids are crazy for this recipe.

07.14.2015 at9:02 AM #

Anne|Craving Something Healthy

SO refreshing!

07.14.2015 at12:34 PM #

Melanie

I love how easy this would be to make!

07.14.2015 at12:43 PM #

Annemarie (Real Food Real Deals)

Absolutely brilliant! My kids will love this simple summer treat.

07.14.2015 at12:43 PM #

Katie Morford

Mine have had their fair share. It’s become they latest summer favorite.

07.14.2015 at6:42 PM #

Jessica @ Nutritioulicious

it really is so easy to make ices at home. Def going to try these grape granitas. I have some welch’ grape juice right in my pantry!

07.14.2015 at6:42 PM #

Katie Morford

Hope you like them Jessica!

07.15.2015 at10:37 AM #

Kasey

I have to make this immediately!!

07.15.2015 at10:37 AM #

Katie Morford

Good for the babies 🙂

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