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
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

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.