Pimms O’Clock!

(It’s worth pointing out that when I was thinking about Friday Night Cocktail and when I took the pictures, it was last weekend and it was beautifully sunny and more hot than usual for an English May, if the weather has changed, I’m sorry, it’s England, you can’t rely on the weather!)

Before I get into the specifics of how I drink Pimms, I think we should have a little education. Pimms is a fruit cup or summer cup.  It doesn’t just come in Pimms, Plymouth used to make one (I’m sad that they don’t anymore) and Sipsmith do one that I’ve yet to try. Pimms No 1 Cup is the gin based one that’s well known (and the one I use generally) but there are others.

That’s enough education. Pimms is usually served with cucumber and lemonade (what we call lemonade in the UK is what Americans would call Sprite or Seven Up). I don’t drink it quite like that. I drink Pimms the way that Stef’s dad, Michael and Tina’s dad, Bill taught me. Bill and Michael both spent years in the Foreign Office and that’s why I call it ‘Foreign Office Pimms’, however, my friend Jo currently works in the Foreign Office and she doesn’t make it like this….what can you do?

Despite that, Stef made Pimms like this, I make Pimms like this, if Helene and Luc like Pimms when they grow up, they will I hope, make it like this. Little things like this, it’s how we live through others..

There are things to note, the maraschino syrup and cherries are key so please make sure you use them!!

What (for a large jug)

1/2 pint of Pimms

2 fl oz gin (if you are using vodka cup, use vodka)

1 orange

1 half a lemon

a jar of maraschino cherries (you won’t need them all)

lemonade or ginger ale (I favour the ginger ale)

mint (which I forgot – so it’s not vital if you really, really need a Pimms)

ice

How

Pour the Pimms and gin into your jug

Cut the orange into eight slices and add to the jug

Cut the lemon into 4 slices and add to the jug

Fill the jug with ice

Add eight cherries and a large splash of maraschino syrup to the jug

Add a handful of mint

Fill the rest of the jug with lemonade or ginger ale.

Stir well

Pour into glasses and enjoy