Pimms with berries

pimms-berries

I associate Pimms with summer.  It is on sale in winter, but I never saw anyone drink it then.  Its popularity seems to have increased to such an extent that Sainsbury’s now offers its own brand equivalent, Pitchers, which seems to have pretty similar ingredients and the same alcoholic strength (25 percent).  My recipe is simple.  I measure out a double shot of Pimms and a single shot of gin (and call the result a “fortified Pimms”).  Next I put in the fruit, and sometimes cucumber or mint.  I cut the fruit so its surfaces can interact with the drink.  I might hull and halve a strawberry, halve and stone a cherry, and add a raspberry.  Next come two cubes of ice – the Pimms has been kept in the fridge anyway.  I then fill the glass most of the way with diet lemonade.  That’s it – instant summer in a glass.  For parties or barbecues I sometimes make up a jug, but using the same proportions.