Patrick

Elaine, I must be honest. I don't drink Fresca. I rarely drink any carbonated drinks, in fact. Years ago my mother was a Fresca freak -- mixed with bourbon usually.
Just a couple weeks ago they put Fresca into our soft drink machine at the theatre in our green room and everybody is "discovering it" for the first time. I thought they had stopped making it years ago and hadn't noticed it in ages -- but then I wasn't really looking for it. Is there a current Fresca rebirth going on?

cambe

When the sun comes out here in Ireland (OK, rare, but it doesn't rain everyday, nothing beats a G&T in a tall glass with lots of ice and a slice of lemon. Beats sickly Pimm's anyday!!!

elaine

cambe, I don't know, Burrell's recipe above calls for both Pimms AND gin, doesn't sound too namby-pamby to me.
(except for the fruit)

Patrick, I am SO disapointed in you about the Fresca!
But a Fresca Renaissance is in the offing?
I'm in!

cambe

Elaine,
It has seven up or sprite added which will make it very sweet. Even worse Champagne!!! What a waste!!

Anyway as I look out of my window on a cold, damp, miserable day in Belfast I can only dream of better weather and a G&T on the patio.

Cheers whatever your tipple!!

marcy_

The best substitute I've found for British/ European lemonade here in the US is Schweppe's Bitter Lemon, if you can find it.

I't also pretty good with vodka or gin,

marcy_

That would be "It's"

sj

topping

Kayb95

Elaine, I'm not a real big pop/soda person, but Fresca is one I like. Have you tried Lilt in the UK? It's kind of pineapple-y. Tastes good if you're not really into the colas.

kvadragon

So, how does one go about ordering this in a pub? Do you ask for a Pimm's and Lemonade? It sounds like a good drink for someone who doesn't like beer (that would be me).

By the way, I like Fresca too. I've been drinking it for years.

fairfax

Yummy! I just adore Pimms and soda, with a little bit of lime. The IRA-irish bar near my old house actually served it, although i think i was the only one who drank it. they did have the royal warrent blacked out, though.

and i adore fresca. we used to have it as children, but i only remember drinking it in vermont where we spent summers. the first time i drank it again after 30+ years, it swung me right back to that time.

Sammie

I'm keepin' this post! Pimm's was one of the first drinks to which I was introduced. Ah, sweet memories. I drank it on the rocks without anything mixed in and thought it mighty good.

fairfax

I was just in Waitrose in Kensigton, London and they had Pimms & Lemonade in a can. So, of course, I bought one. Haven't tried it yet - still working, but will report on it.

TexasAggie

I am also a HUGE Fresca fan. It is sold in CocaCola vending machines here in Denver. I've never seen an ad either, but almost every grocery store carries it so people must drink it!

julia_t

Ready-mixed Pimms in a can - it's okay as a quick fix, and for lazy picnics, but doesn't really work. Think of those bottles of ready-mixed Bucks Fizz and Bellini and pina colada - not the same thing at all.

julia_t

My last message about Plymouth Fruit Cup didn't seem to get posted, must have pressed a wrong button hic! Try again...

julia_t

OK, that message somehow got missed. What I said was that after a lovely warm sunny day here in England, I thought I'd have a Pimms. While rummaging in the drinks cupboard, I found my amazing discovery of last year, Plymouth Classic Fruit Cup ("full strength plymouth gin carefully blended with fine liqueurs, pure fruit extracts and aromatic bitters". I can't believe I had forgotten about it - a wonderful refreshing summer drink very reminiscent of Pimms, but yet different, and at 30% abv a bit stronger too. I can buy it at Waitrose, but it isn't available at other supermarkets, but wine merchants will stock it. Try www.plymouthgin.com

Kayb95

Our first encounter with Pimm's was several years ago on a hot summer day at Kew Gardens. We stopped by the cafe in the gardens for something cold to drink. My sister and I got bottled water, but my parents saw what they thought was a pitcher of iced tea, which looked nice and refreshing. We all sat at a table and Mom opened a packet of sugar substitute and added it to her "tea". When she tasted it, she knew immediately it wasn't iced tea and told my dad not to add sugar to his.

We asked the cashier what it was and she told us &quot;Pimm's.&quot; I guess they should have know it wasn't iced tea - we don't <i>ever</i> recall seeing iced tea in England.

Mom now likes Pimm's, but she doesn't add sugar to it.