Pimm's Cup

[Mominatrix]

Not being a native, Pimm's is not something I normally make or reach for. However, with the sun out and the temperature high, I have been really craving a nice, icy pimms cup so I ordered a bottle to make a tall glass to enjoy in the sun.

I normally don't like Pimm's because the ones I have been given have been overly sweet and also the ones I have been given have been quite watered down. I looked up the recipe and found a variety of mixes - some ask for one part Pimms to 2 parts lemonade and others ask for one part Pimms to 3 parts lemonade. Some ask for apples, most do not. American recipes (I know, sacrilidge!) add additional gin. One suggested muddling the non soft fruit in the neat Pimm's mixture prior to making the jug.

What is the correct way? I am leaning towards 1 part Pimms to 2 parts lemonade to have a less sweet drink - will this make it too strong. I think I'll avoid the additional gin because I think it defeats the purpose of Pimms, but should I? Who knew a drink could be so confusing!

I make it with 1 part Pimms, 2 parts cloudy lemonade, juice of a lemon.

Also like it with brut Prosecco.

...If it's too strong, just add more lemonade.

Is cloudy lemonade better to use than the clear? What is the difference in taste?

I use clear lemonade. Or ginger ale for a change.
Yes to muddling the fruit, cucumber, mint in the jug before adding the lemonade and ice.

The bottle says 1 to 4 which is what I do. Cucumber, strawberries, fresh mint and ice. I don't muddle them and I use clear lemonade.

I add additional gin (or Cointreau) but I am probably a heathen - I just add a little. I usually go 1 part Pimm's to 3 lemonade, but when I have been being fed pimms that's very weak is usually been 1:5. I think 1:2 would be too strong, but you could make a sample at that ratio and alter it if it is.

I like the sound of the juice of a lemon option!

Pimms with cloudy lemonade is horrible! Normal lemonade only for me!

I vastly prefer cloudy lemonade so that's what I always use. Cloudy lemonade is more lemony and less sugary. YMMV

My husband makes it about 1:3 with clear non sweetened lemonade (as in no saccharin) but a large slug of gin added. Ice and strawberries/orange slices/cucumber/mint first.

My mum makes the best pimms. About 2/3 parts pimms, 1 part gin, 4/5 parts ginger ale.

Mint
Cucumber
Strawberries
Orange
Apple
Borage flowers

I think it's much nicer with ginger ale than lemonade.

After a taste test today, I decided that 1 part pimms which had macerated several hours in orange/cucumber/lime/mint to 2 parts lemonade, loads of ice and poured into a glass with strawberries, a couple slices of orange and cucumber, and crushed mint was the better mix. The 1 part pimms to 3 parts lemonade was too sweet.

I'll try with ginger ale tomorrow.