Strawberry Pimm's Cup Granita

This Strawberry Pimm's Cup Granita is a slushy cocktail that refreshes like no other. The frozen blend of Pimm's No. 1, fresh strawberries, cucumbers, mint, lemonade and ginger ale is the be-all and end-all of refreshing summer sippers. 

I had my first Pimm's Cup in my early 20's, lying on grass in my parent's backyard

My mom asked me if I'd like one and I had no idea what it was, so I impolitely declined. Because aren't all girls in their early 20's impolite to their mothers? Thankfully my mom had years of experience in my rude behavior so she ignored me and fixed me one anyway.

Minutes later she returned with a tall, slender collins style glass filled with a tea toned mixture topped with a fat slice of cucumber and an orange wheel. It looked lovely but I was skeptical. You have to understand, I was newly 21 and the only drinks I knew how to order were Midori Sours and Rum & Cokes. Shivers, I know.

That first experience with Pimm's planted the seed for this Strawberry Pimm's Cup Granita recipe

A Pimm's Cup was far more sophisticated than the well drinks I was used to. When my mom described it as the traditional drink of Wimbledon, I had a feeling it might be for me. Two years of playing tennis in high school and I fancied myself something fancier than I actually was. I barely looked up from my Cosmo magazine, rolled my eyes and shrugged in her direction as she set the drink down on my beach towel. But I was secretly intrigued.

I waited for her to go back inside before I had my first sip, followed by my second long and voluptuary sip. Before I knew it, the drink was drained and my Mom came back out to refill my glass. I was instantly smitten with the Pimm's Cup and haven't looked back since.

Pimm's No. 1 is an herbaceous gin based liqueur

Now anytime the temperature climbs over 70° and I see a Pimm's Cup on a bar menu, I order them without abandon. The herbaceous liqueur is refreshingly botanical with earthy notes of herbs and gin, tinged with a slight zing of citrus. When combined with lemonade, fresh strawberries and cucumbers it instantly becomes a bright summer sipper worthy of the best seat in Wimbledon. 

That first Pimm's Cup was a transformative moment for me. It opened up a space and excitement for all kinds of new and exciting cocktails. I started trying different drinks at bars, instead of only ordering the same neon green garbage cocktails over and over. However, it would still be years before I found my beloved Negronis and the Aperol Spritz. And a few more until I created this creamy dreamy Aperol Spritz Panna Cotta recipe.

This Strawberry Pimm's Cup Granita is the ultimate warm weather sipper

That first Pimm's Cup is still inspiring me to this day as is evident in this Strawberry Pimm's Cup Granita recipe. We are in the dog days of summer around here and cocktails over ice just aren't cutting it. I need something colder to the core and this slushy situation is instant air conditioning.

This Strawberry Pimm's Cup Granita has all of the things you want in a summery drink

• Ice Ice Baby - the slushy granita texture cools you down while quenching your thirst.
• Packed with Produce - my Grandma always asked for extra produce in her cocktails and this Strawberry Pimm's Cup Granita is absolutely brimming with fresh ingredients.
• Pimm's & Proper - Pimm's No. 1 is a classic case of proper English elegance. The gin based digestif is made with a special mix of herbal botanicals, orange and spices. It's just the right mix if you ask me!
• Zesty Zip - Lemonade layers in juicy fruitiness and a bright zip of sunny citrus
• Bubble Up - Ginger Ale adds an effervescence to the cocktail, giving it big bubbly energy.
• Strawberry Sweetness - What really makes this Strawberry Pimm's Cup Granita a standout is the fresh strawberry sweetness that is blended into the mix along with cucumbers, mint, lemon juice & lemonade. That concentrated strawberry flavor and pretty pink color gives this granita is poised personality.

This frozen cocktail has got all of the familiarities we love about a classic Pimm's Cup. But the real magic is the way the Strawberry Pimm's Cup Granita transforms from a sipping cocktail to a slush!

How to make the Strawberry Pimm's Cup Granita

• Blend: Combine the prepped cucumbers, strawberries, mint, fresh squeezed lemon juice and lemonade in a blender. Whizz together until smooth and juicy. Strain into a large measuring cup or bowl.
• Mix: Add the Pimm's No. 1 and ginger ale, stir to combine.

• Prep for freezing: Carefully pour the mixture into a shallow dish or baking sheet that easily fits in your freezer. To keep it really easy, I placed the quarter sized baking sheets in my freezer first, then carefully poured the mixture evenly into the sheets.
• Chill: Allow the granita chill for one hour, then use a fork to break up the icy bits that have started to form. Repeat the forking process a few times, every hour or so to create an icy, granita-like texture. Allow the mix to freeze for at least 8 hours or overnight before serving.
• Serve: Divide evenly into 6 pretty little cocktail glasses. Garnish with lemon wheels, cucumber slices or strips, and strawberries and mint.

When everything freezes together into an icy cool granita, this Strawberry Pimm's Cup Granita becomes the most refreshing drink/dessert this side of the pond. Cool as a cucumber.

I can only imagine this Strawberry Pimm's Cup Granita mix would be best served poolside. For now, I'll take it lying on the grass in my backyard, while flipping through a trashy magazine, wishing my Mom lived closer so I could make her one.

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