Harshawardhan_Bosham Nimkhedkar wrote: > Please tell me if the following is true - I'm sure many of you > have tried the Pimm's Cup. > > --- Harshawardhan_Bosham Nimkhedkar > Nagpur, India > > From > http://flatsoundofwoodenclogs.blogspot.com/2008/06/summer-afternoon.html > > Monday, June 30, 2008 > > Summer afternoon... > > Henry James said that the two most beautiful words in the English > language are "summer afternoon." But I'd have to add two more to > the list - "Pimm's Cup." > > Over the years I've read a number of novels set in India when it was > part of the British Empire. In the novels the British characters were > always dashing off to the club for a "Pimm's Cup." I never knew what > that was until my daughter showed up one hot summer weekend with > a bottle of Pimm's Cup No.1. She proceeded to make us the most > wonderful of summer drinks - lots of ice, Pimm's Cup and ginger ale, > with the addition of a thin slice of cucumber and a squeeze of lemon. > The drink has a slightly astringent/tart/sweet/herbal flavor which is > incredibly refreshing on a hot day. > > Serving Pimm's Cup is a summer tradition at our house now. Really, > if you haven't tried it, you are in for a wonderful treat! Harshawarden - Essentially true. I am pleased that the 'Blog Writer' advocated just the addition of a slice of cucumber and a squeeze of lemon to the concoction, rather than the gross 'mixed salad' assemblage so often used today. However, I would suggest a slice, rather than a squeeze, of lemon and the addition of an essential extra, a sprig of borage. As for the addition of such things as decorative umbrellas - well, they really are beyond the Pale. I have never sampled a Pimms made with ginger ale, or anything else other than lemonade. At one time there were a number of other Pimms Cups available, Nos 2 & 3 for sure, perhaps more, with a different alcoholic bases to the No 1' gin, such as brandy, vodka etc., these may have called for other 'mixers', but they did not meet with any great popularity. Many a person (especially young girls) have been led astray by the seemingly innocuous Pimms which appears to the uninitiated to be no more than an innocuous and pleasant thirst quencher, but it is a quencher with a hidden punch. One of my greatest friends still bears the scars on his face that he obtained when he tried to climb a telegraph pole, (in his car), after I had mixed the Pimms for my sister's 21st birthday party. In Britain this is the time of year for Pimms. I remember, many moons ago, sitting in the shade at Wimbledon, enjoying a mug of Pimms, (which even then cost an arm and a leg). Strawberries are the slightly cheaper option. The character went out of the Pimms concern some thirty or more years ago, at which time the managing director was a retired Royal Marine officer. Being a good Marine he offered job vacancies at all levels to other retiring members of the Corps. Although this led to a very convivial and closely knit company character it unfortunately was not overall a good business model, and a sale of the company was forced. Schweppes (before its amalgamation with Cadburys) bought it up; within a remarkably short space of time there was but the one No 1 Cup left on the market, and very few R.M.s on the staff. India was always a good market for Pimms, I am pleased to see that it still is. Yours Aye Andrew Sellon The springs and the fountains are all dried up in this land, and the cattle are drinking ale and porter. Rev. Sydney Smith 1771-1854, Canon of St. Paul's

G'day Andrew, Thanks for your very erudite msg about Pimms. I am also very pleased to note the return of the Reverend. ooroo If you don't hear the knock of opportunity - build a door. Anon.