When I was a junior at Kenyon College in Gambier, Ohio, I went on a Junior Year Abroad Program to the University of Exeter in England. Like any 20-year old moving to another country for the first time I was excited to be starting a new adventure, but scared to be leaving the comfort and safety of my college in small town Ohio. But to cut to the (romantic) chase, I fell in love many times. Once with Andy, who is now my husband, and hundreds of times with the beautiful country of England where I lived for nearly seven years.
First I fell in love with the accent (who doesn’t?). Then (despite that old joke about English fare) I fell for the food: fresh scones with clotted cream and jam, bangers and mash, fish and chips, roast dinners, Earl Grey tea and Victoria sponge cake. I fell in love with their one-of-a-kind gossip mags, the subtle, yet hilarious British sense of humor, and—of course—the Queen (well, the whole Royal Family). I fell for the rolling hills of Cornwall, the craggy cliffs and rugged beach. I fell in love with the foggy and soggy moors of Devon which called to mind Jane Eyre and Wuthering Heights. I fell in love with the warmth of real ale pubs with roaring fires in winter and their blossoming beer gardens in summer. Most days I felt unbelievably blessed to be living my life in England, but I never felt so lucky as I did in the summer months when Pimms was in season. I have so many wonderful memories of England surrounding just this one drink. Barbecues, birthdays, weddings, pub gardens and summer weekend camping trips.
For the uninitiated, Pimms is a liqueur made from a variety of herbs, spices and fruits. It is mixed with lemonade (Sprite or 7UP), mint, cucumber and fresh fruits such as strawberries or orange. It’s fancy enough to drink at Ascot or Buckingham Palace and simple enough to enjoy on your own back porch with friends in tank tops and bare feet. Either way, do yourself a favor. Soak up the last rays of the summer sun and make a jug of Pimms.
Thanks for introducing me to Pimms, Maggy. I bookended the summer with this drink–Memorial Day weekend and Labor Day weekend as well. I especially loved it second time around with the tonic, although those fresh local strawberries made the Memorial Day drinks pretty special too.
It’s more aperitif than stiff cocktail, making it possible to still fully enjoy wine at dinner.
The 3 many cooks enjoying a Gin based drink, shocking 😉
Hi Maggie
Loved your Pimms story . . . ah happy memories . . . although I am English, I grew up in the Far East and as a child was allowed to nibble on small pieces of Pimms flavoured fruit at the bottom of my parents’ glasses. My tastes were formed early! Sadly this summer in England has been a bit Pimms-free from my point of view . . . too cold and wet. Sigh.
A friend has a great tip for Pimms. She once asked me what I thought of her “secret” ingredient . . . I couldn’t work out what it was although noticed that perhaps the Pimms wasn’t as sweet as usual, which suits my palate down to the ground. The special ingredient? I was slightly horrified I must admit to discover that it was a can of John Smith’s Bitter! I don’t know what you would replace it with in the States, but some kind of dark micro brewery beer I am guessing. Try it, you may be converted!
Rachel
Aaah, Pimm’s.
Talk about a way to make me homesick. I’m going to pick up a bottle today! Cucumber and mint are absolute ‘musts’ and anything else is a bonus.
I have never found Pimms in South Carolina, but I do look for it occasionally. One day, when I find it, I will try this out. Sounds great!
BTW my kid’s swim coach is from Kenyon college also. I have now only heard of two people going there …had never heard of it before him. He might be close to your age, Matt Jacobssen, from Tennessee.
Pimms should be garnished with cucumber mint and purple borage flowers – and FYI Jane Eyre and Wuthering Heights are set on the Yorkshire Moors – try Lorna Doone for Devon – off to make Pimms
Somehow…every time Maggy and Mom are making this, I am not there. Perhaps it’s a plot!
At any rate, it’s embarrassing that I have an English brother-in-law and a *slightly* English (now) sister, and I have never had Pimm’s. Obviously, this should be remedied post-haste!
I’m never had Pimm’s but it sounds refreshing based on your description.
Oh and I Love Banger and Beans.
Mags, you’re so right about the Pimms… ‘two of you, one of me, I make it Pimms O’Clock’. I made gallons and gallons of it for our leaving party in the UK.
Cucumber, mint, strawberries and a splash of ginger beer are my must-haves for a good jug of this age-old English delight. I can’t get a good glass of Pimms in HK, it’s almost worth the flight home for!