Tropical Pimm’s Cup Cocktail

I’m fairly certain that what I’m about to type will cause doctors to tilt their heads in concern, but whatevs. Adulthood drives people to drink. This past week has done just that- driven me to drink. But, at least I’m doing it poshly. This Pimm’s Cup cocktail is the perfect twist of royalty and island-style.

I was just discussing “Adulthood” with a friend of mine and we realized the following:

• Adulthood does not mean you can eat whatever you want with no repercussions. I still have to hide in the pantry to scarf down cookies for fear of being seen and forced into sharing with my kids.
• Adulthood does mean paying for crap that you don’t care about but have to because it’s “important”. Water heater blown up? Pay for it “Mommy”. Catalytic converter on the fritz? Pony up, Buttercup. I don’t even know what the heck a catalytic converter is!!
• Adulthood means having to be the brave one when spiders attack your child in the bathroom. Bathroom visits and fear do not bode well for groggy eleven-year-old boys, nor for their mothers who have to clean up said “fear”. Not at all.

Adulthood does mean you can drink whenever you want to. In moderation, of course; we can’t drink at work or at the DMV; we’re not a bunch of savages here, people. Some days require more alcohol than others, and last Wednesday through Friday qualified for ample amounts of liquor. Once again, though, adulthood reared its ugly head and “Mom-guilt” kicked in. I couldn’t go full-on booze hound so I settled for a classy, posh drink: a quintessential British Pimm’s Fruit Cup.

Why Pimm’s? Well, because Pimm’s reminds me of Spring and Summer. It was a military spouse who first introduced me to the gin-based liqueur. Stacey came on the scene like a bulldozer and my life with her has been full of sarcastic, snarky comments and excessive eye-rolls. You can read more about Stacey in the cookbook. Suffice it to say, she’s my long-lost twin- only, she’s white and from Detroit. I digress.

Since the Army has yet to send us to England, I’d never experienced the joy of a herbal Pimm’s Cup until Stacey mixed one up for me. I fell in love with the light, effervescent mix and have been making it ever since. Pimm’s truly is the drink that takes the edge off without making you feel like a lush. My version omits the classic apples, oranges and strawberries, and instead incorporates my favorite tropical fruits: mangos and kiwis. I stay true to the original by keeping the cukes, lemon and mint, though. The great thing about Pimm’s cups is in the ease of making it. Add your favorite fruits and carbonated lemon-lime soda, lemonade or, as I do here, ginger ale and you’re good to go!

As they say in England, “It’s Pimm’s o’clock!”

Tropical Pimm's Cup Cocktail

Marta Rivera at Sense & Edibility

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A tropical spin on the classic British summer drink.

Servings: 1 serving

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Prep Time 5 minutes mins

Total Time 5 minutes mins

Ingredients

  

1x2x3x

• 1 slice of lemon plus more for garnish
• 3-4 slices of English cucumber
• 1/4 cup mango peeled and diced
• 1 kiwi peeled and diced
• 2 oz Pimm's No. 1 liqueur
• 4 oz carbonated lemonade lemon-lime soda or ginger ale
• 1 mint sprig
• ice

Instructions 

• 
• In a large highball glass, muddle the lemon slice and two slices of cucumber.
• 
• Add a liberal amount of ice.
• 
• Pour the Pimm's liqueur into the glass and add your fruits.
• 
• Pour the ginger ale into the cup and stir with a spoon or your mint sprig.
• 
• Enjoy!

Notes

The classic Pimm's Fruit Cup can be made by omitting the kiwi and mango and adding diced apples, oranges and strawberries.

A Pimm's Winter Cup can be made by omitting fruit and adding warm apple juice or cider instead of ginger ale or citrus soda.

Course Libations

Cuisine British

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Try these other adult libations to wind down.