Simple "Hard" Pimm's Cup

Intro: Simple "Hard" Pimm's Cup

When thinking of mixed drinks, few remind me of summer the way a Pimm's Cup does. The smooth iced tea-like flavor, the cool crispness of the cucumber. When I was a bartender, it was my favorite summer drink recommendation... well that and I was tired of making mojitos!

STEP 1: Ingredients

As if the ingredients for a traditional Pimm's Cup aren't simple enough, this recipe uses Mike's Hard Lemonade in place of the ginger ale, sugar and lemon. Not only does the Mike's Hard Lemonade provide the carbonation, sweetness and tart of the aforementioned ingredients, it also adds a little extra umph!

What you'll need:
- Collins glass 3/4 full of ice
- Spoon
- Knife and/or mandolin slicer
- Cutting board
- 2 oz. Pimm's No. 1
- Mike's Hard Lemonade
- English Cucumber

STEP 2: Cutting the Cuke

The trick to a well made Pimm's Cup, aside from the Pimm's of course, is the addition of thinly sliced cucumbers. Using a knife will suffice, but if you really want to do it right use a mandolin (think Pauli slicing garlic in Goodfellas). You'll need 3-4 cucumber slices. Oh, and like most fun things in life, don't forget to use protection. You don't want your hand looking like the third picture (don't worry it's only ketchup, but that did happen to me the first time I used it).

STEP 3: Add the Pimm's

Now add the 2 oz. of Pimm's to the cucumber and ice, then top off with Mike's Hard Lemonade. Stir, then serve.

STEP 4: Relax

Now all that's left to do is relax. Oxymoronically, this "Hard" Pimm's Cup couldn't be any easier to make!

Many thanks again to my talented wife Sara for the photos and a bit of hammock modeling!

Comments

[The SuperTenders]

I'm going to have to give Pimms a try. Thanks for the recipe!

[alanjsims]

Great suggestion, and have been drinking pimms cups off and on for 20 years..I have had it with a peeled cucumber spear soaking in it and eating the cuke is delicious after its soaked up the fluids. When my bartender was out of pimms he would use Lilet, which wasn't bad either. Just a twist different but looking forward to trying your twist. Thanks

[zymurgeneticist]

Mmmm a Lilet cup, that sounds like a treat! Thanks for the post alanjsims!

[mspeller1]

My favorite Summertime, anytime beverage! Now made even better thanks!

[zymurgeneticist]

Thanks mspeller1, glad to meet another person who appreciates a great beverage!

[Danger is my middle name]

This looks really good! I've never heard of it but it looks like the perfect summer drink!

[zymurgeneticist]

Thanks Danger! True, it's not as common as the usual summer concoctions, but then again we preferred the more eclectic slings.

That being said, if you want to try one with a little less octane, mix the Pimm's with 1/2 tsp sugar and 1/4 squeezed lemon then top off with ginger ale. That's the traditional recipe and I guarantee it's just as tasty!