Giada De Laurentiis is busy this summer. Between launching her new cookbook, “Super-Italian,” and debuting her show “Giada In My Kitchen,” the celebrity chef keeps moving. Most recently, she teamed up with Peroni to release a boozy Italian ice—a refreshing twist that caught my attention, especially with temperatures soaring into the high 90s.
The icy treat transports me straight back to my childhood memories. Summer always meant walks with my grandpa to our neighborhood corner store for Italian ice. Day after day, I dug into blue raspberry slush that stained my mouth and fueled a sugar rush strong enough to keep me playing in the sprinklers at the park nonstop.
De Laurentiis shares a similar nostalgic reverence. Her love for Italian ice also ties back to time spent with her daughter, Jade.
“Ten years ago, while filming ‘Giada in Italy’ on the Amalfi Coast, my daughter came and spent three weeks with me. After each episode, we’d walk down to the water in Positano. A little stand there sold Italian ice in lemon, strawberry, and raspberry flavors. We’d sit on the beach, enjoy our ices, and talk about the day,” De Laurentiis told Allrecipes in a recent interview.
And for those looking to bring that same joy into their kitchens, De Laurentiis insists that Italian ice comes together with just a few simple steps. With the right prep, this humble dessert becomes something more—a meaningful treat that leaves lasting memories.
Peroni/Allrecipes
What Is Italian Ice?
“Every time I see Italian ice, I feel like a kid,” notes De Laurentiis. This nostalgic frozen treat begins with finely shaved or granulated ice, which is then infused with sweet, often fruit-based syrups—like strawberry, raspberry, or lemon juice.
“Italian ice is such a big part of summer,” she adds. “There’s something so exciting about watching the syrup pour over the ice and slowly soak in.”
How To Make Italian Ice at Home, According to Giada De Laurentiis
If you want to make Italian ice at home, it’s actually really easy. First, start by buying or making an infused syrup, De Laurentiis suggests. Think: lemon, raspberry, or blueberry syrup, for example. Most infused syrup recipes call for two parts fruit, one part sugar, and one part water. Combine these ingredients in a saucepan, bring them to a boil, and then let them simmer until they have reduced to a syrupy consistency. Afterward, you can strain the syrup to make it smoother or leave it as is.
Next, pour your syrup over shaved ice, explains De Laurentiis. To make shaved ice, simply place ice cubes into a blender or food processor (some even have a pre-programmed slush setting!) and process until the ice reaches a fine, fluffy texture.
With just these simple steps, you can create a refreshing homemade Italian ice to enjoy on hot summer days or to share with your loved ones when you’re hosting.
How To Make Italian Ice a Showstopping Dessert
“Italian ice is quintessential to summer because it requires very little prep and makes for a great way to entertain,” says De Laurentiis. To upgrade your Italian ice even further, she suggested swapping the fruit-infused syrups for a boozy version, especially when hosting a party. Instead of water in the syrup, you can add beer, such as Peroni, or stir in a dash of rum or tequila to the finished syrup before drizzling it over the ice.
Don’t forget the toppings, either. “Any kind of fruit will work—pomegranate seeds could be fun because you can chew on them,” De Laurentiis explains. To really surprise your guests, she recommends topping it with crumbled potato chips, popcorn, or peanuts to kick it up a notch.
Whichever route you choose for this nostalgic dessert, during the heat of summer, nothing satisfies quite like digging into a refreshing, cold Italian ice bursting with flavor.
