Pimm's

It would be nice if they brought back the other varities of Pimms back as special editions every so often.

The winter one (#3, brandy-based) is in shops now, but perhaps not in the US.

Do you mean the winter one, oakesspalding? It can either be served with gingerale over ice, or else warmed with apple juice (cloves, star anise, etc. - anything else you'd like to throw in).

Good stuff!

OK. What is Pimm's?

History and recipes:

http://www.viewlondon.co.uk/pubsandbars/pimms-no-1-cup-feature-996.html

#1

Pimm's Cup played a big role in my personal non-fiction -- at least for a year of college spent in England. But I'll have to ponder actual literary instances . . . .

And, alas, as I live in the land of socialized liquor sales, I can't offer any suggestions for saving money on hootch.

Much to my delight, there is a 1976 book called Pimm's Cup for Everybody by Paige Dixon, although it doesn't show up here on LT. An Alibris listing for a used copy describes it: "A cynical young American and an elderly English bartender tour the United States together."

Pimm's Cup also strikes me as the kind of 70's-era brunch appropriate cocktail the charcters in Armistead Maupin's Tales of the City enjoyed. Along with things like a Bullshot (like a Bloody Mary but made with beef bullion instead of tomato juice) or a Salty Dog.

Now, that's poetry I can understand.

#4 - Pimm's is frequently over-garnished, but here's my favourite concoction for the 'No. 1 cup' version.

Into a large jug half full of ice, pour:

1.5 litres of good quality commercial lemonade (if you're English) or Sprite (if you're American)

750 cl of Pimm's No. 1 cup (I like to taste it...)

Halved coins of cucumber
Fresh strawberries, quartered length-wise
A handful of fresh mint leaves. I ball them up in my fist first to crush them a little.