All summer long, I want something fresh and cold, and frozen desserts win every time. Italian ice is a classic dessert created in the United States by Italian immigrants but likely inspired by Sicilian granita. (This article from Saveur is a fascinating, in-depth look at Sicily’s contributions to the world of ice cream.)
Italian American ice is smoother and thicker than granita, so it is often more similar to sorbet and ice cream. We’re not talking snow cones here, we’re talking dairy-free, fruit-forward concoctions that are just hitting the spot. all. time.
Ninja Creamy | Kitchen towel
This recipe contains my trusty Ninja CREAMi (not sponsored, it’s just one of my favorite tools). This is one of the best appliances in my kitchen, as it can turn almost anything into a creamy, frozen dessert, and it takes no active time at all. I’ve made a lot of things in CREAMi (like these three mixes), and they all turn out delicious. The high power blades create that amazing texture that goes beyond frozen drinks or granita, it’s so smooth and rich…you’ll just have to take my word for it and try it.
Shop the kitchen
When I was thinking about making an Italian icing flavor, I immediately wanted to do something with coconut and pineapple together. It’s just instant tropics. I combine it into a Piña Colada inspired mixture with some sweet and sour flavors, and it becomes very refreshing any time of year, but especially in the summer.
Ice Cream Containers | Chris shirt (similar) | Chris shorts | Backyard Resources
You only need four ingredients to make this Piña Colada-style Italian ice, and trust me, you’ll want to make two batches. So plan ahead and try this recipe next time you want a fresh, sweet, tart, and smooth cold treat.
