Mango Italian Ice
Italian Ice is one of my favorite summer treats. So simple, yet somehow luxurious. It makes the perfect little dinner party dessert for steamy summer nights.
Have you ever wondered why some things are considered elegant and others things not-so-elegant?
Waltzing, elegant.
Twerking, not so elegant.
4-Inch Peep-Toe Stilettos, elegant.
4-Inch Flip-Flop Heels, not so elegant.
Pressed Linen Napkins, elegant.
Folded Paper Towels, not so elegant.
In my opinion, it’s all about how these things make you feel.
Items and activities that make you feel calm and slightly pampered tend to have an air of elegance.
And so it is for Italian Ice.
Although it’s just a simple puree of fruit and sugar syrup, Italian Ice offers a touch of elegance to the end of any meal.
It has to do with the little individually sized portions.
The gentle way you glide your spoon across the smooth surface to gather each bite.
It’s the cool refreshing sensation you experience as the sweet frozen fruit melts on you tongue.
And of course the word “Italian” doesn’t hurt; a word we often associate with romance.
I love dishes that serve up the sense of luxury, especially if they take almost no time to prepare.
This Mango Italian Ice Recipe is one of my favorites. It doubles as the perfect summertime dinner party dessert, and a great kiddie treat!
To make it, simply puree chunks of mango, lime juice, lime zest, and simple syrup in the blender. Then pour into small cups and freeze. The mango provides an extra smooth, almost creamy, texture that gives this Italian Ice recipe a lavish feel.
If you are feeling daring, try adding a tablespoon of fresh dill or thyme to the mixture, for a touch of herby intrigue!
COOK’S NOTES:
Be careful not to blend the Italian Ice mixture too long. Over-blended simple syrup and mangoes can produce a thick gelatinous texture that isn’t very appealing. Keep it short and sweet!
Adding fresh herbs to the mixture is a fun way to give Italian Ice extra wow-factor. Just be careful with powerful herbs like rosemary and sage. Make sure to add just enough to balance the sweet and herby flavors. 1 tablespoon of mild herbs or 1 teaspoon for intense herbs.
More Frozen Fruity Favorites:
Blood Orange Granita ~ Sweet Remedy
Honeydew Mint Ice Pops ~ Hungry Girl Por Vida
Mango Ginger Sorbet ~ Kitchen Confidante
Mango Italian Ice
Ingredients
Instructions
- In a microwave safe bowl, heat the water and sugar in the microwave (or in a small sauce pan on the stove top) until the sugar dissolves into the water. Remove from heat.
- Place the peeled and chopped mango into a blender. Cover and pulse a few times to break up the chunks. Then pour the sugar syrup, lime juice, and lime zest into the blender. Cover again and puree until just smooth. Don't over blend!
- Pour the mixture into ramekins or small souffle cups. Freeze until hard, at least 2 hours.
Sommer,
I love Italian ice, but unfortunately the store counterpart has ingredients that don’t agree with my tummy. Lemon is my favorite, now I see the secret to making it homemade is the simple syrup! I can’t wait to make it. :)
Thanks for sharing!! As always your pictures are stunning.
It was great to finally meet you at FBF Disney!
Denise
This looks perfect for summer!
This screams summer and is screaming for me to make it!!
The only way I’d like it better is if I had some right now!!
These are soo cute! Love those little bowls too :)
I love mangoes, this looks so refreshing!
These are GORGEOUS!!!! I love how delicate and vibrant the color is!
Love italian ice but have never made it. Looks like I need to change that.
Ooo, what a refreshing treat for the summer! This looks so delicious, Sommer!
Wow, this looks so refreshing! As always, I loove those Villeroy & Boch dishes and you use them so creatively!
Great cool down treat!
Italian ice is one of my FAVORITES in the summer time. When I don’t feel like getting all heavy with the ice cream, this is my go-to! I love it’s mango flavored, one of the best fruit flavors :) awesome, Sommer! I can’t wait to take a gander at making italian ice at home!
You had me at Mangoes! I’m sold! This will be a favorite summer dessert. The process is so simple, yet I’m sure it will be so delightful. Thanks for sharing, Sommer!
Stunning, Sommer!
How delicious!
Loving the lime and salt in this!!
I LOVE mangos and this is just incredible! The perfect cold summer treat! YUM!
Beautiful recipe, Sommer! Love all the analogies in this post. Any infusion of flavors seems luxurious to me! As you mentioned, this is the perfect frozen dessert on a warm summer night. xo