How to duplicate Pimm's and lemonade?
 

I became addicted to Pimm's and lemonade while in London a few months back and now I'm trying to make it at home and it just doesn't taste the same.
I noticed that a lot of pubs used R Whites lemonade which I can't get here and I've emailed them asking if it's available in the U.S. but have gotten no response.
I'm using Diet Sprite and adding a slice of lemon and a slice of orange but it still isn't quite right.
Any suggestions?
Other than buying a plane ticket to the U.K.?

Hi tudorprincess, I have never had Pimm's and lemonade but was wondering if you have ever made your own lemondade? Easy to do and imagine it would be a big improvement over Diet Sprite with a citrus slice.

If you really want to get the R Whites Lemonade, I know of a British food store where you can order it:
http://www.pennyhapenny.com/catalog/...f307ba48b5c69d

Ah! One of my favourite mixed drinks.

Unfortunately, its all in the 'lemonade'. All NA versions of what the British call lemonade (that being Seven-up, Sprite, etc.) are too sweet and less citrusy than the real thing.

The closest I've come to it is by mixing the Pimms (and beware, there are different types of Pimms, so check the number on the bottle), soda water and fresh lime and lemon juice until it tastes how I like it. I served this to guests last summer and we all drank nothing else for most of the evening.

I also had a great recipe for a Pimms punch which I remember being served the first time in a tea cup with a slice of cucumber.

Makes for a great 'sundowner' on the African plains while on safari.

You know! I am gonna have to stop reading these threads on here!
Thanks to you all ( and you know who you are) I have become fond of Kir ( used to like it then quit drinking them) tried Prosecco and Limoncello and now back to Pimms!
I had a Pimms #1 a long time ago and loved it..is this just a sweet version?
I will do my best to work with you on perfecting it :D

I always make it with fresh lemonade and soda water, far superior than some syruppy concocation achieved with soft drink style lemon flavoured beverage.

Thank you M_K..measurements?

I use the Pims number one and when I first had one it was served, oddly, with a cucumber stick.

I second Mathieu's approach - I like it with just soda and lemon juice. You can add a little simple syrup (equal parts sugar and water heated until the sugar dissolves and allowed to cool) if it's not sweet enough.

Also give it a try with ginger ale and a squeeze of lemon or lime.

Finally, if you don't have any Pimm's, you can make a "Cheat's Pimms": three parts sweet vermouth, two parts gin, one part Cointreau, one part ruby port (if you have any), Angostura bitters to taste. Combine these and add soda and lemon juice as you would to Pimm's; it's not exactly the same, but it's quite a good drink, especially if you include the port.

Nothing odd about cucumber in Pimms (No. 1) - you need to add a couple of sprigs of freshly torn borage leaves for the nil plus ultra Pimms effect - and a half measure of Hendricks Gin will add a kick to the pleasure!

Dr D. :)

The cucumber stick is the most important part (after the Pimms)...every summer I forget how I made them last year and half the fun is figuring it out all over again. My son suggested Mountain Dew (mmmm, not quite) one night, I've also used "sour" mix, which tends to be too sweet. Grapefruit soda tastes nice with it...I guess it's time to start experimenting again. We put up our gazebo last night.

If I remember correctly, the Pimm's cup was traditionally garnished with borage, an herb with a fragrance reminiscent of cucumber. If borage wasn't available, a strip of cucumber skin or a slice of cucumber was used; I don't usually bother.

Once upon a time there were, I think, six varieties of Pimm's available, based on gin, vodka, Scotch, rye, etc.; but the only one I ever see in the United States, and maybe the only one that's still made, is Pimm's No. 1, which is based on gin.

Being British I've grown up with Pimms. There are many "recipes", but the way I like it, have made it for many years now and serve it (with no complaints from guests) is to slosh Pimms into a glass or jug up to about one third. Add the same quantity of apple juice, and top up with the same amount of lemonade (and I'd never before considered which brand - I just use whatever is leftover - diet, cheap brand, whatever!) Needless to say you have put plenty of ice cubes in the vessel first, and to finish you add sprigs of mint, chopped/sliced cucumber, slices of lemon/orange, sliced strawberries, chopped apple, whatever you feel like. (Cucumber and mint are traditional and essential, and the herb borage with its pretty blue flowers can be added). You can first prepare the fruit, cover it with neat Pimms and leave to macerate for a few hours before mixing. This makes the fruit quite alcoholic, when nibbling at later!
Friends of mine swear by Pimms and ginger ale (not ginger beer), others add gin or vodka (and I've been offered it with cointreau or grand marnier as well - quite nice but phew...!!) to get drunk quicker - personally I'm not a fan of added alcohol.
These approximate measures seem to work well regardless of whether you are just making a single glass to sip on a hot summer's evening, or a welcome drink for 50 people. You can reduce the apple juice, but it does make the Pimms go a lot further without making it taste weaker. Cheers!

Yes, a cucumber in my drink had me startled but then I was 19 and fresh from NC, what did I know :D
uhoh, congrats!!!

My British sister-in-law insists on cucumber and strawberries when serving Pimms, although she's been known to use fresh raspberries in a pinch (and fresh mint?).

I personally prefer No.6 which is a vodka base, and as such that much lighter and less "oily" than the gin based No.1. (there were originally 6 Pimm's, with bourbon/scotch/rye bases)

I've no idea about exact measurements, about 1:3 Pimm's to lemonade/accoutrements, although I can't be held to that, it's very much a case of judging by eye from previous times.

Pimm's No.6 is widely available (vodka) and just this last year the company re-launched Pimm's No.3 (Brandy) as a "Winter Cup." I believe it's available exclusively for the time being through Waitrose.

Dr D

(this doc, has whatever you need)wink, wink

I think I have the answer for the "Lemonade" mixer! We enjoyed Pimms and lemonade at the Chelsea Flower Show 3 years ago and bought 2 bottles of Pimms to try to make it here in the States, but to no avail. THEN we discovered the Italian lemon soda that is sold at Whole Foods under their label. We have also used San Pellegrino lemon soda and got the same excellent results. We add a sprig of mint. I hope this works for you!

My name is Patrick. I became an alcoholic by reading Fodors. Hic.

I have never been able to duplicate the taste of a Pimms prepared in the UK back home in the US. But now, I will have fun trying...each...and every...recipe, lol!

Have you tried Fresca? The only time I tasted that stuff they call lemonade in the UK, that's what it reminded me of -- lighter and less sweet than 7-up or Sprite.

Okay! I just went outside for a few beers and WOW! You people are a bunch of alcoholics! I will try all of these variations this weekend, or at least try to. But I'm afraid that my end result will be as seetheworld pointed out. Cannot duplicate.
Cruisinred- I will look into this link, thank you!
Scarlett- Let me know what you come up with.
LoveItaly- Never made my own lemonade. In fact, hate lemonade. Never touch the stuff.
Patick- Get help. The first step is admitting you have a problem.
Thanks all!

I am buying Pimms tomorrow and will try to post ( it gets harder after the 3rd drink) and let you know how it works out.
I will try with the Lemon soda from Whole Foods ( I love their orange soda-whatever that brand is)
So I will use M-K's recipe-
1-Pimms to 3 lemonade..and will throw some strawberries in for color~
Patrick, remember when you said that I was typing too well to have had too much to drink on my birthday?
Picture the way one walks when one has had too much and does not want to stagger- that is the way I typed :D
((D)) Cheers! Pip Pip~

Scarlett--you have found the key. Drink more than 1 Pimms and you won't care if it doesn't taste authentic and proper!

I just started with my own variation. Like James Pimm I began with gin, added herbs in the form of vermouth (1/6th or less of the gin) and topped it with a lemon twist. Lots of ice and stirred not shaken.

You can find more about the original Pimm's Cup and variations at:

http://www.viewlondon.co.uk/drink_feat_pimms.asp

Cheers!

As Dorothy Parker said......

Good grief, I think we need to start an AA chapter! LOL ((D))

Tudorprincess, I hate lemonade too! Vile stuff isn't it?

Actually the Pimm's doesn't sound to great to me either but perhaps it is to early in day??

Now about the Prosecco and Limoncello Scarlett, I will take the blame for that, but not all those other drinks. We are all bad influences on each other it appears.

Which reminds me, I don't even have a bottle of wine in the house.

Saluti per tutti!

Oh I forget to mention that of course you can make it with champagne instead of lemonade, but make sure you put a good squeeze of lemon juice to give it some zing.

I can't stand all this cocktail talk so I'm heading downstairs to make my homemade version. Thanks jahoulih for the recipe. Tomorrow, off to the liquor store for the real thing!

Pimm's 1 has beenn the ONLY one available here but maybe like the vodkas who now have so many variations, it too will change. Never saw the borage , only the cucumber but that maybe because herbs on the east coast aren't available til you are really in summer. But evn at that time it was only cucumber served So, what's the combo that's not so sweet?

My version!

First I make my MIL's simple lemon syrup.. 1 cup sugar, squeeze 2 lemon into measuring cup , fill with water to 1/2 cup,mix and add lemon peel from the lemons..heat till dissolved and bubbling. Cool. This can be used also for the best iced tea you will ever taste!

Fill tall glass about 1/3 with Pimm's, add 2 TBS of the lemon simple syrup, and fill with soda water , garnish with borage! Borage is so easy to grow in containers in your garden...and has a lovely blue flower!

I think Jody is really Martha Stewart posing as a troll!
I love to cook and garden, but I would not want to be cooking simple syrup on a hot summer afternoon, which of course is the perfect time for a Pimms. And then also growing my own borage in pots.....

(just kidding Jody, I'm sure your pimmms is yummy...yet another Pimms recipe for me to try before joining the AA sub-group on Fodors)

That's why I adore pastis ; pour a bit and some water, ice cubes, husband brings it down while I dig into the soil and hose off the squirrels who have dug up rhe newly planted plants or bulbs.

Hi Cruisinred!

I live in Florida..I just stick things in big pots and they grow all by themselves..the afternoon downpours water them! Simple syrup takes about 3 minutes ..I wish my MIL was still around! I have never duplicated her iced tea! She might have been English born and bred but her Sweet tea could make a Georgia Boy beg for more!!!!

jody, jody, jody, mimi has no sun back there

Patrick, I KNEW we were simpatico!!
You are the only other person I know who drinks Fresca, I was really beginning to think it is still made just for me. Love that grapefruit taste! It's never advertised,how does anyone besides you and me know to buy it?

Anyway, Miz Scarlett and you others leading the Lush Life
A few years ago Princess Di's butler, Paul Burrell, shared his Pimm's recipe. (not just with me, with the world) Here it is, as another basis of comparison:

Slice strawberries, apples, English cucumbers, oranges, and lemons into small pieces and place them about one inch deep in highball glasses. Add a few ice cubes and one crushed mint leaf to each glass.

In a pitcher mix 3 parts Pimm's No 1 Cup and one part gin. Top with Sprite or 7-Up (royals may wish to substitute Champagne sic), diluting the liquor to taste with the soft drink or Champagne. Pour into glasses. Garnish each glass with a slice of orange or lemon, a cucumber spear, and a strawberry. Serve with two colorful straws in each glass.

Whew!! Wonder if it will be ruined if I serve with only one colorful straw.

that sounds like an English sangria :)

Yes, it does sound knee-deep in fruit. Maybe it's Pimms plus Fibre.

We mix Pimm's with Squirt (reg or diet) when making it here in the US. Seems to taste the closest to the real thing.

We've even occassionally found Pimm's here in some of the larger wine/liquor stores. :)