Grapefruit Green Tea Granita Bubble Tea Recipe

This grapefruit green tea granita is a combination of two of my favorite desserts – classic Italian granita and bubble tea! The combination of the deliciously fruity taste, icy texture, and chewy boba pearls make it so fun and refreshing to eat!

Grapefruit green tea is my fiance’s favorite bubble tea of all time, and he loves it so much that we’ve probably consumed enough of it to fit an Olympic-sized pool! This recipe came about when I wanted to try recreating a frozen version at home. Summertime calls for granita, so what better way than to combine the two and make a grapefruit green tea bubble tea-inspired granita?

Why you’ll love this recipe

Granita is a classic Italian semi-frozen dessert generally made with sugar, water, and flavorings. Bubble tea or boba, on the other hand, is a wildly popular Taiwanese drink that combines refreshing beverages that range from basic tea, fruity tea, milk tea, fruity yogurt, and frozen slushies and served with chewy tapioca pearls.

One of the most popular bubble tea flavors is grapefruit green tea, which is my fiance’s favorite. I replicated the same flavors of the drink by preparing freshly brewed green tea and mixing it with grapefruit juice and simple syrup before freezing. Once the mixture was mostly frozen all the way through, I used a fork to scrape it into coarse icy bits and served it with sweet and chewy tapioca balls. 

By marrying these two beloved desserts together, the result is an incredible-tasting treat. Not only is it refreshing, it’s super easy to make. If you’re a fan of desserts with contrasting textures, this is the dessert for you! 

Grapefruit Green Tea Granita Ingredients and Substitutions

Grapefruit juice: The flavor of the granita will be greatly affected by the type of grapefruit juice used. For consistency, I like to use a pre-bottled juice like Tropicana Ruby Red or Simply Grapefruit Juice which comes sweetened. While you can use freshly squeezed grapefruit juice, just keep in mind that each fruit will taste slightly different and the amount of sugar added will be adjusted. 

Water: Used to make the simple syrup

Sugar: Used to make the simple syrup. You can substitute the simple syrup with honey. 

Jasmine green tea leaves: Adds a sweet floral aroma and taste. You can use any type of green tea you like, I really enjoy Jasmine green tea for this. I used loose-leaf tea but you can also use tea bags. 

Instant tapioca pearls: I used instant tapioca to save time but you can make your own. 

Fresh mint (optional): For a pop of bright, fresh color and taste.

How to Prepare Grapefruit Green Tea Granita

Step 1: Prep the tea

Place the jasmine green tea leaves in a teapot or small heat-proof bowl.

Step 2: Steep the tea in simple syrup

In a pot over medium heat, combine water and sugar, and bring to a boil. Once the sugar has fully dissolved pour the simple syrup over the tea leaves. Steep for 5 minutes.

Step 3: Combine tea and juice

In a freezer-safe container, combine Tropicana Red Ruby Grapefruit Juice and tea. Cover then place in the freezer for one hour or until ice crystals form on top.

Step 4: Scrape the ice crystals

Using a fork, scrape the ice crystals. Then place the container back into the freezer. Repeat until the granita is light and fluffy.

Step 5: Cook tapioca pearls

Cook the tapioca pearls according to the package instructions. Strain then rinse under cold water. Transfer the tapioca pearls into a bowl and mix in the simple syrup.

Step 6: Assemble and enjoy!

To assemble, place a few spoonfuls of the tapioca pearls in a serving bowl or cup. Top with a generous amount of granita. Garnish with fresh mint and enjoy!

Preparation Tips for Grapefruit Green Tea Granita

Here are some helpful tips for making the best homemade grapefruit green tea granita every time.

• Use the best quality ingredients. Since this dessert recipe only requires a few ingredients, you want to use the highest quality ingredients for the best results.
• Use a freezer-safe container for storage. I like to use these glass containers from Pyrex.
• Here’s a hack to skip the scraping: use a ziplock bag. Pour the granita mixture, and remove as much air as possible from the bag before sealing. Then, lay it flat in the freezer. Every 40 minutes, break the ice by massaging the granita around. Do this until the granita is coarse and fluffy. This would be useful if you don’t have a fork or utensil to scrape the granita. 
• Be creative with the toppings and mix-ins of your granita. For instance, aside from the boba pearls, you can add marshmallows, chocolate drizzle, strawberry sauce drizzle, sprinkles, and even cut-up fresh fruits. If you’re hosting, set up a toppings bar so your guests can customize their own granitas. 

Frequently Asked Questions

What does grapefruit tea taste like?

Grapefruit green tea is subtly sweet and floral. The citrusy flavor of the grapefruit mellows down the astringent taste of the jasmine tea, making it lean more toward the sweet, fruity side. I used Jasmine green tea for this recipe but you can use any type of tea you like! Some ideas include black tea, oolong tea, or mint tea. 

What are the benefits of grapefruit green tea?

First off, It is made with real tea leaves. Tea is rich in antioxidants that help remove free radicals, aid digestion, and may also potentially relieve stress. Grapefruit is also packed with antioxidants like vitamin C and fiber which is essential for a balanced diet. In addition, turning grapefruit green tea into granita makes a healthier cold dessert alternative to ice cream since it’s dairy and fat-free!

Is grapefruit sweet or bitter?

Grapefruits contain a significant amount of naringin, a natural chemical that makes fruits taste bitter. But this changes depending on how the fruit is cultivated, where it is from, the quality of the soil it grew on, and how ripe it is. There are many varieties of grapefruit and their tastes range from tangy to sweet to slightly bitter. Nevertheless, a ripe grapefruit should taste pleasant to eat. It’s the pith or the white part that would be bitter, but the flesh should be plump, juicy, citrusy, and sweet. 

What is granita made of?

Granita is an Italian traditional dessert that is said to have originated in Sicily. Its main ingredients are water, sugar, and some type of flavoring which is usually fruit juice. For this recipe, it’s grapefruit juice. It’s the sugar that keeps the water from turning into solid ice, and the scraping that helps to achieve the coarse grainy icy texture.

What’s the difference between sorbet and granita?

Sorbet and granita are both fruity frozen desserts and they are also made with similar ingredients. However, the difference lies in the texture. Sorbet is way smoother than granita, and this is because it is churned using a machine. Granita is coarse, and it forms this texture from being frozen in a container and breaking the ice by scraping and stabbing using a fork.

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