pimm’s cup cocktail

How about an easy refreshing cocktail that is perfect for the summer heat? An original Pimm’s Cup is one of our favorites! A tradition at Wimbledon, it’s also nice for our US summer holidays. We decided to have a festive cocktail hour with Pimm’s and some tea sandwiches just because. It’s all in fun and a good excuse to gussy up the new island-style bar cart too!

Pimm’s originated in England during the mid-19th century as an herbal-based apéritif liqueur ~ served in a No.1 tankard, so today it’s called Pimm’s No.1 Cup. It’s gin based, though a bit lighter and smoother, with a very distinctive flavor.

The traditional Pimm’s Cup is served over ice in a highball glass, and MUST include a variety of fruit garnishes. Strawberries, citrus, cucumber and mint are all traditional. You could also have apples, grapes, pineapple or even peaches ~ we are in the south you know!

I went all British island colonial with my set-up, because it really is a perfect island cocktail. Light, fizzy, refreshing and perfect for brunch all the way into evening time. A few tea sandwiches are an easy add-on, even if Bluwaterguy was a little skeptical {radishes? really?} as I was putting it together. 

Here’s the overhead shot ~ Pimm’s, ginger ale, ice, fruit, garnishes, sandwiches ~ ready for tennis watching on television or whatever floats your boat.

These are quick finger sandwiches with pineapple, ham, arugula and ginger mayo ~ a riff on this recipe from teamtimemagazine.com ~~~

I also made these simple canapés with veggie cream cheese spread on mini pumpernickel from the deli, with radishes thinly sliced on the mandolin. Don’t forget to trim the crusts from the bread! A snap to make, and you will be surprised at how good they are. Bluwaterguy is no longer a skeptic! 

And here’s the new island style bar cart. I had eyed it at Target all season, though I hadn’t said anything about it. Then on recent Saturday afternoon Bluwaterguy called me while out and about and said, “hey, did you know about this bar cart at Target ~ it’s on clearance”. I almost jumped through the phone. Needless to say it came home with him that day. 🙂

Our island style cocktail hour, complete with pineapple ice bucket! 

I can’t wait to use this with some of the tiki style barware too. You can check out a bit more of my tiki style here ~~~

The bartending deets are in the graphic below ~ and on the bluwaterlife~drink Pinterest board too.

This really is a nice way to enjoy a summer afternoon ~ a lovely bluwaterdrink and some bluwatereat nibbles ~ even better if there is some water near by, but good wherever you may be in the moment.

 

 

Details for the bartender ~ and pin to your favorite Pinterest board too!

Pimm’s No.1 Cup ~~~
1 ~ set up your ingredients ~ and don’t forget the ice!
2 ~ a highball glass is traditional, and you need it for all the extras
3 ~ start adding fruit, strawberries and citrus are always good, and I added pineapple for an island touch
4 ~ with cucumber and mint for tradition
5 ~ pour half a glass of Pimm’s No.1
6 ~ and finish off with your choice of lemonade, ginger ale or lemon lime soda {we went with ginger ale on this occasion, but all the choices are good!} and a garnish pick to top off

Stir and enjoy!