Photo by whitneyinchicago
Summer feels just around the corner! I don’t know about you, but the hint of sunny, warm weather makes me think of sitting outside with a cold cocktail in hand. Mark Bittman served us up some great summer cocktail recipes this week in this article. Like he, I encourage you to forgo to the sugary cocktail mixers from the grocery shelves! All it takes is some good liquor (not necessarily expensive), lemons/limes, and simple syrup (easy!) and you too, can make great cocktails at home. And I can’t forget to highlight Mark’s tip to make sure you taste the liquor. My friends and family would agree that I often make a strong cocktail, but what’s the point if you can’t taste the liquor?!
I thought I’d share with you a recipe for one of my favorite summer cocktails, the Pimm’s Cup. Pimm’s No. 1 is a gin-based fruit cup, with a beautiful reddish color and hints of spices and fruit. It drinks easily and can be tweaked with various mixers, fruits, and herbs. We drink this by the pitcher poolside in the summer, and serve them in mason jars for catered cocktail parties.
Pimm’s Cup
- 1 Part Pimm’s No. 1 Cup
- 2.5 Parts lemonade (or ginger ale, lemon-lime soda, or ginger beer!)
- cucumber, thinly sliced
- mint leaves
- optional: orange slice, strawberries, lemon/lime slice, apples…
Half-fill a Collins glass (or pitcher) with ice and a few slices of cucumber, mint leaves, or other garnishes. Add measure of Pimm’s, then top up glass with lemonade or soda. Stir gently and garnish with additional slices of cucumber.
Enjoy (and be prepared to make more)!
