It’s time for Friday Happy Hour, highlighting a drink we’ve recently enjoyed, every Friday at 4pm! Please share your favorites as well.
Some of my favorite things: London, gin, ridiculous hats, men in morning dress, and pomp. I have even been told I am “a bit of a princess” (though that may not have been meant as a compliment). In other words, I have somewhat greater than a passing interest in this morning’s Royal Wedding.
I am writing this column whilst drinking Bellocq tea – No. 35, naturally – from a William and Catherine commemorative mug purchased at my favorite store in the world, Liberty.
Of course, that does not make for nearly so good a happy hour as a Pimm’s Cup.
A Pimm’s Cup is the essential British summertime drink. The official cocktail of Wimbledon, after all, where it is said that the refreshing qualities – and relatively low alcohol – make it a terribly appropriate and respectable beverage to slurp up all afternoon long.
Wanting to sip a Pimm’s Cup in honor of the festivities, I headed to AGAINN. During my AGAINN stop for the ARTINI tastings, my companion ordered the Pimm’s Cup No. 13 off their standard cocktail menu and really enjoyed it. I sampled a sip and decided it would be my official Pimm’s Cup of the season.
In a slight update on the usual Pimm’s Cup, the Pimm’s Cup No. 13 includes Pimm’s No. 1, fresh English cucumber, mint, lemon, ginger, bitters, and Fentimans ginger beer, along with one’s choice of spirit. I chose gin. What else?
Poured over a pile of crushed ice in a curvy pint glass, the drink is juicy, fruity, and very refreshing. It is also – as people have been saying about the Royal Wedding itself all day – very British. Best enjoyed in the shade of an outrageous hat, of course.
I LOVE pimm’s cup. Such an underrated drink! It’s perfect and refreshing for the summer.