Makes 6 servings

Grapefruit and gin go together like rock stars and bad habits. Grapefruit brings out the whole spice rack of flavorings that are used to make gin, including lemon, orange, cardamom, coriander, orris root, angelica root and, of course, juniper berries. The combination of the sweet, tart grapefruit mixed with the dry floral notes of the gin make this adult-oriented slush a refreshing summer dessert to enjoy late into the evening. Send the kids to bed early, dip into the freezer and start your own bad habit.

1. Combine 1 cup (250 mL) of water with 3/4 cup (175 mL) sugar in a small saucepan and bring to a boil. Remove from heat, allow to cool, then pour over grapefruit segments and refrigerate until ready to use.
2. Combine 1/2 cup (125 mL) water and remaining sugar in a medium saucepan and bring to a boil. Add grapefruit juice and gin and pour into shallow baking dish and freeze for about an hour. To ensure even consistency mix granita every 20 minutes with fork, working from outer edges in.
3. Place a few grapefruit segments into martini glasses and top with 1 scoop of granita. Drizzle a spoonful of sugar syrup over each glass to serve.

The Grand Old Lady of Gin

The Black Friars distillery in Plymouth, England, is home to Plymouth Gin. It is the oldest working gin distillery with records going back to 1697. By 1850 Plymouth gin had gained worldwide exposure as the “Gin of the Royal Navy” and, in 1896, the first recorded recipe for a Dry Martini specified Plymouth gin as an ingredient (as printed in Stuart’s Fancy Drinks and How to Mix Them). By the 1930s Plymouth was the star of the cocktail era.