Pimm's O'Clock...

 

This week lets all drink to the Olympics, other, athletic-type people's superb feats, and that heavenly place that is London in the summertime, rain or not. Pimm's anyone?

 The classic Pimm's Cup is the simplest of summer sips -  three parts "lemonade" to one part Pimm's mix, blended with thinly sliced cucumber, citrus, strawberry and mint. Together they create the effect of a twilit summer garden party in a glass. Straw boaters, gramophones, fragrant roses and all. A classier, more genteel sangria, if you will. Being a fan of anything involving gin, mint, quinine or strawberries, it's my kind of drink.

For us Americans, remember that in the UK, they call Seven-Up and similar, "lemonade" - hence why I was always getting around my mother's soda ban as a child by innocently ordering a lemonade at restaurants and then pretending to be disappointed but resigned when a fizzy glass of 7-Up arrived. I was secretly thrilled that the trick lasted as long as it did.  So the British will tell you that Pimms is made with lemonade, therefore confusing issues further, since I prefer it made with real, sparkling lemonade - the kind actually made with lemons. It's also lovely with ginger ale, should you feel like getting creative.

Serve with lots of ice, in a charmingly retro glass, and enjoy the Olympic feats from the safety of a comfy striped deck chair. I particularly enjoy the showjumping and swimming - the only two sporting endeavors I partake of myself - and will be mixing up some festive pitchers for each...

Which event is your favorite? Will you be toasting it with a Pimm's? 

Pictures via Pinterest

It's the weekend. Have a drink.

If we're going to stay in keeping with our theme, we should be drinking sweet mint tea, which is divine and will rot your teeth in about a week. Technically I suppose you could cool some, add a splash of gin or vodka, and some seltzer, and it would probably be quite nice. I'll have to try it out and see.

For something a bit more festive and exotic, my vote goes for a Rose Martini.They taste like liquid Turkish Delight. With gin.

I would use Hendrick's because the aromatic flavor will blend nicely with the rose - shake up your chosen ratio of gin, simple syrup, lemon juice and a few drops rosewater - you should be able to find this in most large grocery stores - if you can manage to find rose petals, scatter them in the glass, and if you're feeling adventurous maybe a slice or two of cucumber. That's it. Lay back on your cushions, and start trying to figure out which of your fellow guests had motive AND opportunity.

images via hostessblog.com and foodandwine.com

It's the weekend. Have a drink.

I'm a gin girl through and through, so I tend to not play around with anything else in cocktails - with the exception of Greyhounds. Like the name suggests, they're sleek and stylish and to top it all off, wonderfully pink. I like to think they're extremely healthy as well - loads of Vitamin C and Antioxidants, plus the antiseptic properties of Vodka on the throat. Or something like that. Regardless, as the days turn greyer and colder, these bring back some beautiful color into an evening. Or day, I won't judge.

My favorite mix is simply one large, juicy grapefruit, (no pallid and sallow yellow fleshed varieties please) one measure vodka, ice and a cocktail shaker. If the fruit is fantastic, you won't need sugar, but it often isn't, so you can dash in some superfine, or rim the glass. You want to keep the vodka light enough that it never overpowers the citrus, and you barely taste it - dangerous, but delicious. Only the cost of quality grapefruits keeps me from starting and ending my day this way.

The beautiful picture above is from the Kitchen Konfidence blog - it's a recipe for a tarragon and salt infused version, which sounds lovely, and one day when I'm less lazy and less desperate for a drink, I may try making one.