Italian lemon ice, a sweet and refreshing dessert, is a delightful way to cool down on a hot summer day or satisfy a craving for something sweet. Believed to have originated in Sicily, this frozen treat made with freshly squeezed lemon juice, sugar, and water has a history dating back centuries and holds a special place in Italian cuisine. With its vibrant yellow color, zesty lemon flavor, and creamy texture, Italian lemon ice is not only a delicious dessert but also a symbol of summer and the Mediterranean lifestyle. Whether served as a simple frozen treat, paired with other desserts, or incorporated into cocktails, Italian lemon ice offers a burst of flavor and a refreshing escape from the heat.
Check out the recipes below so you can choose the best recipe for yourself!
ITALIAN LEMON ICE
As kids my grandmother used to always make this Italian lemon ice on hot summer days. We loved them and now my kids love them too. The adult version is tasty too!
Provided by tcasa
Categories World Cuisine Recipes European Italian
Time 5h
Yield 6
Number Of Ingredients 7
Steps:
- Whisk water, sugar, and lemon zest together in a medium saucepan, then bring to a boil over high heat. Continue to whisk and boil for 5 minutes. Let mixture cool for 10 minutes. Whisk in lemon juice.
- Transfer mixture to an 8x8-inch pan and freeze for 1 1/2 hours.
- Remove pan from the freezer and stir with a fork to break up the ice. Freeze again for 3 hours. Scrape and mix ice into shavings with a fork.
- Serve in chilled glasses garnished with mint and lemon wedges. Top with raspberry-flavored liqueur as a little something extra for adults.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 115.4 calories, Carbohydrate 29.2 g, Fat 0.1 g, Fiber 1.1 g, Protein 0.4 g, Sodium 7.2 mg, Sugar 25 g
ITALIAN LEMON ICE (GRANITA)
Lemon granita is easily the most popular of all Italian ices, and with good reason. On a hot summer's day, no refreshment beats it tangy, revitalizing taste. Prep time included chill time. From The Mediterranean Vegan Kitchen.
Provided by Bev I Am
Categories Frozen Desserts
Time 5h20m
Yield 4-6 serving(s)
Number Of Ingredients 6
Steps:
- Combine 2 cups of the water with the sugar in a medium nonreactive saucepan; bring to a simmer over medium heat.
- Cook, stirring constantly, until the sugar is completely dissolved.
- Add the salt, stir, and remove the pan from the heat.
- Stir in the remaining water and let cool to room temperature.
- Cover and refrigerate for a minimum of 1 hour.
- Meanwhile, place a shallow metal 2 1/2 qt container (such as a large cake pan) in the freezer to chill.
- Add the lemon juice, lemon peel, and extract to the chilled sugar mixture; stir until well blended.
- Pour into the chilled metal pan.
- Place the pan in the freezer for 30-60 minutes, or until ice crystals form around the edges.
- Stir the ice crystals into the center of the pan and return to the freezer.
- Repeat every 30 minutes, or until all the liquid is crystallized but not frozen solid, about 3 hours.
- To serve, scoop the granita into chilled dessert bowls or goblets.
- (If the granita has become too hard, scrape it with a large metal spoon to break up the ice crystals.) Serve at once.
- Advance Preparation: The granita can be stored, covered, for up to four days in the freezer, but it will have become frozen solid.
- To serve, either allow the granita to thaw in the refridgerator until you can scrape the crystals, or break it up into chunks and process with on/off motions in a food processor fitted with the knife blade until fairly smooth.
ITALIAN LEMON ICE
It was very hot and humid here today, so I made some Italian Lemon Ices to help cool off :) I have included both versions because most people have a definite preference for either the "water ices", or the creamier "Roman Style" ices. One of my fondest summer memories as a child, was when my grandmother would "slip" me a dime, so I could go down to the neighborhood Italian bakery and buy a cup of lemon ices....yum!
Provided by Dee514
Categories Frozen Desserts
Time 7m
Yield 4-6 serving(s)
Number Of Ingredients 10
Steps:
- ***Water Ices*** (serves 4).
- Melt sugar in hot water, add lemon juice and rind.
- Let mixture stand for 5 minutes.
- Strain, place mixture in a freezing tray and freeze, stirring frequently, until it reaches a mushy consistency.
- If you have an electric ice cream machine, pour mixture into machine and freeze according to manufacturer's directions.
- ****Roman Style**** (serves 6).
- Combine sugar and water in saucepan, heat until sugar melts.
- Add lemon juice.
- Strain mixture through a very fine sieve.
- Freeze until mushy, stirring frequently.
- Beat egg white until stiff.
- Remove ice mixture from freezer when mushy.
- Add stiffly beaten egg white and 1/4 cup sugar and mix well.
- Add rum and mix.
- Return to freezer and continue to freeze to ices consistency (not solid), stirring often.
- If you have an electric ice cream machine, pour mixture into machine and freeze according to manufacturer's directions.
- Add beaten egg white and sugar according to manufacturer's instructions as you would if you were adding additional ingredients (nuts, choc chips, etc) to your ice cream.
LEMON-FLAVORED ITALIAN ICE
Italian ice is a summertime frozen treat. In the heat of the summer, you usually notice Italian ice carts out and about, selling them to cool off the kids. It is nothing but flavored ice, but is smooth and sweet. The favorite flavors seem to be lemon, strawberry, and chocolate. Italian ice should never contain any non-dairy creamer and always is made with pure cane sugar.
Provided by MaricruzDiazPR
Categories Desserts Frozen Dessert Recipes Sorbet Recipes
Time 2h45m
Yield 6
Number Of Ingredients 4
Steps:
- Combine water and sugar in a saucepan and bring to a boil over medium-high heat. Reduce heat to low and simmer for 5 minutes. Remove from heat and stir in light corn syrup and lemon juice.
- Allow to cool to room temperature, about 30 minutes.
- Divide cooled mixture amongst 3 plastic containers and freeze for 1 hour. Scrape ice crystals with a fork and return to freezer until ice is semi-frozen, 1 to 2 hours, scraping ice crystals every 30 minutes.
- Scoop Italian ice into small serving cups or cones and serve.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 184 calories, Carbohydrate 49.9 g, Fiber 0.1 g, Protein 0.1 g, Sodium 36.6 mg, Sugar 20.9 g
ITALIAN GRANITA LEMON ICE CREAM
Many people think that Lemon Granita is similar to a Lemon sorbet. There is a main difference which is the fact that Lemon Granita has no eggs, no milk and no cream in it. Just lemon juice, lemon zest, water and sugar! In Southern Italy we have a granita for breakfast, aperitif, lunch and as an after siesta drink. The best lemon Granita is made with little sugar and a grated lemon zest in it! For breakfast we would have a Coffee Granita with a croissant (the Sicilian way); for aperitif the Lemon Granita; after the siesta the almond granita. There are many flavors you can choose: lemon, mint, coffee, strawberry, almond, kiwi, mandarin, prickly pears.
Provided by stile mediterraneo
Categories Frozen Desserts
Time 50m
Yield 10 serving(s)
Number Of Ingredients 4
Steps:
- Boil the sugar and water for 5 minutes. Then let the syrup cool down and add the lemon juice and grated lemon zest. Boil everything again. Let it cool down again and put it in the freezer in a metallic container. Turn the mixture while it is freezing every 20 minutes. The Granita will be ready after 3-4 hours.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 114.1, Fat 0.1, Sodium 2, Carbohydrate 29.7, Fiber 0.1, Sugar 28.8, Protein 0.1
Tips:
- Use fresh lemons: Fresh lemons provide the best flavor for lemon ice. If you can, use organic lemons to avoid any pesticides or chemicals.
- Zest the lemons before juicing them: The zest of the lemon contains a lot of flavor, so be sure to zest the lemons before you juice them. You can use a microplane zester or a vegetable peeler to zest the lemons.
- Use a simple syrup: A simple syrup is made by dissolving sugar in water. It is used to sweeten the lemon ice and help it freeze smoothly. To make a simple syrup, combine equal parts sugar and water in a saucepan and bring to a boil over medium heat. Stir until the sugar is dissolved, then remove from heat and let cool completely.
- Freeze the lemon ice in a covered container: This will help to prevent the lemon ice from crystallizing.
- Let the lemon ice ripen before serving: The lemon ice will have the best flavor if you let it ripen for at least 2 hours before serving.
Conclusion:
Lemon ice is a delicious and refreshing treat that is perfect for any occasion. It is easy to make and can be customized to your liking. Whether you like it tart or sweet, creamy or icy, there is a lemon ice recipe out there for you. So next time you are looking for a sweet treat, give lemon ice a try.
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