Danger! Danger! Pimm's Cup Ahead.

By Jeannette Ordas of Everybody likes Sandwiches
It's really starting to feel a bit like summer and what better way to celebrate than with a Pimm's Cup. This drink gets its name pretty much from the name on the bottle: Pimms No. 1 which is a gin-based drink made with a secret blend of herbs, spices and citrus (apparently there are only 6 people who know the actual recipe). Mixed with lemonade and something fizzy, and it becomes the quintessential English drink of the summer: The Pimm's Cup.

Normally a Pimm's Cup isn't meant to be a dangerous drink as the liquor was actually developed as a health tonic and has only a moderate amount (25%) of alcohol. However, this weekend I must have been blinded by the sunshine and believed that this drink also included an equal amount of gin. Hooo-weeee! This drink, as I made it, is a true killer, so share with your friends and only have one or two or you'll be in some serious kind of pain tomorrow. If you want to skip the headache and want something to sip on all day long, then cut out the gin and stick with the original liquor instead.



Make this mix in a pitcher and garnish the glasses to the hilt. We're celebrating summer here, so live it up!

Killer Pimm's Cup
3 inch knob of ginger, minced
1/4 cup fresh mint leaves
4 slices of cucumber, cut in half
large handful of strawberries, roughly chopped
1 cup Pimm's No. 1
1 cup gin
ice cubes
gingerale
lemonade
garnishes of lime & lemon wheels, cucumber wheels and strawberries

In a serving pitcher, muddle the ginger and mint leaves together. Add in the cucumber and strawberries and top with the gin and Pimm's. Let sit for 30 minutes to let the flavours meld.

Pour about 2 ounces of the Pimm's mixture into each glass. Add ice cubes and top with an equal amount of gingerale and lemonade. Garnish glasses with fruit and cucumber. Serves 8 sensible adults.