So I needed a drink fast, and I didn’t want to mess around. At hand was some gin, 3 oz of ginger ale, and my mint plant. Presto change-o, I give you my very own drink, The Merlin. All the notes of the gin are on full display, sweetened by the ginger ale, and made magical by the barest hint of mint from the garnish. I hope you like it.
Pimm’s No. 1 Cup
The summer season is upon us, and a Pimm’s Cup is one of my favorite drinks for a mid-afternoon break on a Sunday. It is sweet, but not overly so, and has a bright, fresh quality to it, owing to the effect of the mint and cucumber garnish on the nose.
Pimm’s No. 1 Cup is a fruit and gin based liqueur that is most popular in England. The standard Pimm’s Cup cocktail can be prepared as follows:
- Fill a 10-12 oz. Collins or Highball glass with ice
- Add 2 oz. of Pimm’s No. 1 Cup
- Fill with ginger ale (I prefer Schweppes - lemonade, sprite, or 7up can also be used here)
- Garnish with a cucumber wheel and a mint sprig (these are the traditional, however other garnishes can be added or used in place of them.)
There are many variations on the Pimm’s Cup, but I tend to favor the simplest recipes for my cocktails, because less ingredients allows me to appreciate all the distinct flavors.
Traditionally Pimm’s Cup is enjoyed by spectators at Wimbledon, Polo matches, Regatta, and other quintessentially English events.
Personally, I prefer to take my Pimm’s outside on the patio or in my easy chair - it’s far more convenient.
Cheers.
Hi, I'm Nate. I'm trying to get better at internet-ing, so I'm going to make one post everyday, even if it's just writing the caption to a photo. Please send all comments by W.A.S.T.E. Thanks for visiting.
