Pimm's No. 1 Cup (Guest Post by Food Lust People Love)

Hello, Hungry Couple readers!  Since Anita has already written some introductory words about me here, I’ll just thank her for the opportunity to guest post and get straight to telling you about the recipe I’ll share today.  I was first introduced to Pimm’s No. 1 cup, a classic English cocktail, when we were living in Abu Dhabi more than 25 years ago.  That won’t seem as surprising when I tell you that what is now called the United Arab Emirates was formed after the end of British protection in 1971.   And that mutually beneficial relationship dated back to the late 1700s. 

So when we arrived on the scene, folks had been making and drinking Pimm’s cocktails for a very long time.  Possibly since 1859, when commercial production began.  The important thing to note here is that it is the perfect hot weather beverage.  And if there is one thing you can count on in the UAE, it’s a long, fiendishly hot summer.  Every weekend, we’d pack up the cooler with lovely things to eat and an English friend would mix up a huge jug of Pimm’s, combined with lemon-lime soda (which the Brits call lemonade), loads of cut fruit, mint and some extra vodka or rum for more kick.  We’d sail our little boats out to the islands offshore Abu Dhabi to picnic all day, paddle about and get a little sunburned.  And drink Pimm’s.  It was idyllic.  The sail back was always more jolly than the sail out, as you can imagine.  We’ve been enjoying Pimm’s No. 1 cup all these years since and I hope you will too.

Ingredients per serving

Lots of ice

Several fresh mint leaves

1-2 strawberries

1-2 slices orange

1-2 slices of cucumber

1 1/2 oz or 45ml Pimm’s No. 1   

3/4 oz or 22ml vodka

5-6 oz or 150-175ml lemon-lime soda  (I used Sprite.)

More mint and strawberries to garnish, if desired.

Method

Halve your strawberries and slice your orange and cucumber. Start building the drink from the bottom in a long, tall glass, starting with an orange slice, a mint leaf or two, a slice of cucumber and half a strawberry, along with some ice.  Then repeat.  Pour in your measure of Pimm’s, then your measure of vodka.  Top up with the lemon-lime soda.  Garnish with sprig of mint and strawberry if desired.

Enjoy!