Pimm's No 1 to Celebrate the Diamond Jubilee!

It was a thoroughly British Day.  The rain lashed down, the clouds were grey and thick but the Queen shone brightly.  The crowds seemed to cheer louder than ever and revelled in the glory of the day, embracing the frightful weather as a welcome old friend.

Three thousand miles away (it seemed more) on the East Coast of America the sun did shine and it seemed fitting to celebrate with a glass of iced Pimm's.  For those of you who haven't tried it, it's a sort of British Sangria, alcohol, lemonade (or ginger ale or sprite) fruit, berries and fresh mint. Of course you can adjust the alcohol levels to suit your idea of fun by adding a shot or two of gin. I've had quite a day, I intend to have quite a bit of fun.

My friend Ellen and I decided to have a Pimm's off.  She won. She had the technique down.  She crushed the fresh mint and strawberries before she poured in the Pimm's, the scent was enticing. She used ginger ale, I used fizzy lemonade, both worked. Then we sat back and sipped and sipped and watched a rainbow form.  This is just what Pimm's is made for.

Here's the basic formula;

1 part Pimm's No 1 to 3 parts lemonade or ginger ale or sprite.
1 shot of gin (if desperate)
A handful of chopped up strawberries
A few slices of cucumber
A couple of sprigs of fresh mint
A few lemon slices
A few orange slices
Ice cubes

Here's how you do it;

Line up your glasses with the mint, cucumber and fruit.  Ginger ale or lemonade at the ready.

Mash it up a little.

Add the ice cubes.

Pour in the Pimm's.

Add the ginger ale (or lemonade).

Put your feet up and sip.