BS: Lemonade for Pimms?

Subject: BS: Lemonade for Pimms?
From: Richard Bridge
Date: 25 Jun 11 - 01:26 PM

A Pimms used generally to be made with lemonade and a few not too sweet things like cucumber. These days it is regrettably often more like a fruit salad crossed with a Sangria.

Be that as it may, summer seems likely to resume in Southern England and I fancy making an old-fashioned Pimms.

But these days in England "Lemonade" is a sweet transparent fizzy drink with much sugar or other sweetener and little if any taste of lemon.

So I may well have to make my own lemonade. Does anyone know how to make a fizzy LEMONade? Or where I can buy one that is more lemony and less sweet.

Subject: RE: BS: Lemonade for Pimms?
From: John MacKenzie
Date: 25 Jun 11 - 01:57 PM

Tesco's do a sugar free lemonade, but I suspect it's just sweetened with something other than suger. You could always try it and see.

Subject: RE: BS: Lemonade for Pimms?
From: GUEST
Date: 25 Jun 11 - 02:02 PM

Carbonated water and lemon juice? Add caster sugar to taste. Otherwise why not try using 'bitter lemon' from the mixers shelf (does what is says on the label), I'd avoid anything artifically (diet) sweetened though.

Subject: RE: BS: Lemonade for Pimms?
From: olddude
Date: 25 Jun 11 - 03:45 PM

Explain the term Pimm please ... never heard that before

Subject: RE: BS: Lemonade for Pimms?
From: Dave Sutherland
Date: 25 Jun 11 - 03:53 PM

Having spent thirty years in the trade I would suggest that you look on the supermarket shelves for a traditional lemonade (the sort that a purist would drink) or a cloudy lemonade as these are pretty much the same thing. There are sugar free versions of both descriptions available.
We did produce a Pimms base for Asda a year or so ago but I can't remember the exact name at present.

Subject: RE: BS: Lemonade for Pimms?
From: Manitas_at_home
Date: 25 Jun 11 - 04:01 PM

Pimm's is a brand of instant cocktails for want of a better descriptions. It's a very popular summer drink associated with traditional festivals such as Ascot (horse races), Wimbledon (tennis) and the Henley Regatta (rowing). They do various varieties or 'cups'.

Subject: RE: BS: Lemonade for Pimms?
From: GUEST,cats
Date: 25 Jun 11 - 04:06 PM

.. and is always a central part of every summer garden party or drinks in the garden at my cottage and campervan wherever I pull up. I use unsweetened lemonade with an extra shot of lemon juice or ginger beer for a change. Always only cucumber, strawberries, orange slices and mint, not a fruit salad, served with lots of ice and if at home I serve in a huge punch bowl or if in the van a large jug. the Asda version is called Jeeves

Subject: RE: BS: Lemonade for Pimms?
From: Wolfhound person
Date: 25 Jun 11 - 04:09 PM

Tesco do a cloudy lemonade with "real lemon" (which begs the question of what's in their other stuff - I know, don't ask)which isn't too sweet.
Diet lemonade generally has aspartane in it, which, IMO, is even more disgusting than the over-sugared variety.

Paws

Subject: RE: BS: Lemonade for Pimms?
From: Dave Sutherland
Date: 25 Jun 11 - 05:10 PM

Wolfhound - it will mean that they will have used a lemon juice or comminute lemon in the ingredients (and that will allow them to use pictures of lemons on the label) whereas the alternative made with lemon essence or flavouring will not.
Aspartame has been used as a sweetener in diet/sugar free drinks for at least twenty five years now and for all the initial scaremongering I have yet to come across it causing any ill effects.

Subject: RE: BS: Lemonade for Pimms?
From: Richard Bridge
Date: 25 Jun 11 - 05:31 PM

Guest cats, where so you get your unsweetened lemonade?

Subject: RE: BS: Lemonade for Pimms?
From: GUEST,Jon
Date: 25 Jun 11 - 06:10 PM

One suggestion for homemade fizzy lemonade is to make a concentrate (use less water) and use soda water to dilute for drinking.

Subject: RE: BS: Lemonade for Pimms?
From: gnomad
Date: 26 Jun 11 - 08:27 AM

2-3 unwaxed lemons, halve and juice them and place the skins in a 1-2 pint non-metallic jug, together with about 1 desert-spoon of sugar per lemon, juice goes in the fridge for the moment.

Squash the skins about a bit with the end of a rolling pin, then scald with boiling water (about half-fill the jug) and keep mashing for a while, remove rolling pin and set jug aside to go cold.

Don't hurry the cooling, this is where the flavour is extracted, I sometimes reheat in the microwave, but don't let it boil. If using Epsom Salts for extra bitterness this is the time, but lightly does it as the laxative effects could be unwelcome. About a rounded teaspoon maximum for this quantity.

When the skins jug is cold, strain off the skins and stir in the juice, then refrigerate. Consume within 48 hours. This is a still drink, but soda water or tonic will fizz it up if required.

This also works well with limes, OK with grapefruit, but not really with oranges (IMO).

Subject: RE: BS: Lemonade for Pimms?
From: Charmion
Date: 26 Jun 11 - 09:25 AM

Gnomad's lemonade looks wonderful, but in Canada or the U.S. a potato masher is more likely to work than the most common form of rolling pin, the kind with an axle and a handle on each end.

I make something like similar, plus a few peppercorns and slices of raw ginger root; refrigerate for at least 24 hours to steep. For a cocktail of serious wallop, use a jigger of Pimms No. 1, a jigger of gin, and three ounces of lemonade over ice. Don't try to do anything involving machinery after imbibing.

Subject: RE: BS: Lemonade for Pimms?
From: Richard Bridge
Date: 26 Jun 11 - 01:20 PM

That looks very promising, Gnomad. Presumably, since I am lazy, I could after juicing blend the lemon skins to buggery and later strain out the bits with a fine sieve - or blend in altogether to leave cloudy.

I might be able to make it fizzy with a sodastream - I think I have one lying about somewhere.

And presumably rather than using Epsom Salts I could just use less sugar.

Subject: RE: BS: Lemonade for Pimms?
From: gnomad
Date: 26 Jun 11 - 02:23 PM

I haven't tried blending the whole skin into the drink. I suspect it might make the whole thing a bit soup-like, but by all means give it a go and tell us the results, anything to save effort is worth a try in my book.

I prefer it without the Epsom Salts myself, but taste is always very subjective, and many people like the tang.

Sugar quantities are adjustable to taste and vary with the bitterness/ripeness of your lemons anyway, but I wouldn't recommend omitting it entirely.

Incidentally, the more frugal drinker takes the strained-out skins and makes a further batch (about half the size of the first) but it won't taste as good.

Subject: RE: BS: Lemonade for Pimms?
From: Richard Bridge
Date: 26 Jun 11 - 04:50 PM

Och! You appeal to the MacDonald in me!

Subject: RE: BS: Lemonade for Pimms?
From: GUEST,Jon
Date: 26 Jun 11 - 06:50 PM

I'd think everything is adjustable and for a fizz, maybe drop one of those vitamin C tablets in it or maybe those potassium chloride ones I've had to take in hospital would do...

but. more seriously, I'd still think just make your "syrup". Can't really keep to the topic here but can give the elderflower cordial and blackcurrant cordial ones Pip makes here. Think they come down to "just boil some fruit juice with some sugar".

Subject: RE: BS: Lemonade for Pimms?
From: Q (Frank Staplin)
Date: 26 Jun 11 - 08:12 PM

Lemonade used to be very popular in North America, but the canned and bottled drinks have taken over.

Still, nothing better than fresh squeezed lemons, water and sugar to taste. Chill, and pour over ice cubes in a tall glass. Fizz? Haven't tried it, but bottled selzer water (Canada Dry Club Soda or the like) might do the trick, wholly or partially replacing the water.

Fizz sounds a little like gilding the lily. (I have added a little sapphire gin when no one was looking).

Subject: RE: BS: Lemonade for Pimms?
From: GUEST,Steamin' Willie
Date: 27 Jun 11 - 03:39 AM

Pimms.

The beer of choice for armchair socialists everywhere.

Or should that be medication, or even medicine?

Subject: RE: BS: Lemonade for Pimms?
From: GUEST,Steamin' Willie
Date: 27 Jun 11 - 03:39 AM

Pimms.

The beer of choice for armchair socialists everywhere.

Or should that be medication, or even medicine?

Subject: RE: BS: Lemonade for Pimms?
From: Richard Bridge
Date: 27 Jun 11 - 06:39 AM

I think, Mr Fluids, that you have the DTs, or premature encapsulation or something.

Subject: RE: BS: Lemonade for Pimms?
From: Stu
Date: 27 Jun 11 - 09:30 AM

M flute-playing friend and I were handed a fine cup of Pimms whilst playing at the market in town yesterday. A few Irish tunes, hot sun and a proper Pimms . . . bliss!

Subject: RE: BS: Lemonade for Pimms?
From: Q (Frank Staplin)
Date: 27 Jun 11 - 09:13 PM

The posts on Pimms, I must admit, thoroughly confused me. Looking it up, Pimms No. 1 Cup is a gin-based bottled liquor, 25% alcohol by volume, with some liqueur, fruit juice mix and spices. Price in Canadian liquor stores is about $18.00.

From some of the posts I had guessed that it was a lemonade based soft drink.
It seems to me, if one wishes to drink gin, Bombay on the rocks, or a Travis McGee cocktail, would be a good substitute.

Travis McGee-
Pour a good dry sherry over ice. Shake slightly.
Decant the sherry down the drain.
Fill with good Bombay gin.
Enjoy!

Subject: RE: BS: Lemonade for Pimms?
From: gnomad
Date: 28 Jun 11 - 03:32 AM

Q: as quite widely served in England during our brief summer (dunno about Wales and Scotland) the 'bottled liquor' you have identified is used as an ingredient in a long drink, the bulk of which is lemonade.
For some reason the long drink is known just as 'Pimms', presumably because the liquor is not served (AFAIK) as a drink on its own.

I suspect that caterers like it because they can charge cocktail prices for a rather diluted product, while reducing the number of obnoxious drunks they must humour. Serving by the jug also reduces staff costs.

As served among friends the recipe varies widely, as does strength, so it is wise to sample with caution.

Sorry if we have caused any cross-Atlantic confusion.

Subject: RE: BS: Lemonade for Pimms?
From: Charmion
Date: 28 Jun 11 - 08:17 AM

Gnomad, you're quite right about caterers' appreciation for Pimm's. The alcohol content is only 25% and even in Ontario it is not expensive (a little over $20 a bottle), plus it evokes high-class leisure -- when you think of Pimm's, you think of garden parties, cricket and lawn tennis. A winner on all the criteria that matter.

Subject: RE: BS: Lemonade for Pimms?
From: Q (Frank Staplin)
Date: 28 Jun 11 - 12:56 PM

Alcohol 25% by volume translates into 50 proof in Canada and U. S.
The better qualities of scotch, bourbon, "Canadian," etc. are 90-100 proof, or about double.
So the proper alcoholic must drink twice as much Pimms as the strong stuff to keep sozzled.

Thanks, Gnomad, for the explanation. The Pimms as sold in the bottle reminds me a bit about the much stronger "Southern Comfort" of North America, which also has spices and traces of liqueurs. Horrible stuff, but thar be them as drinks it.

Subject: RE: BS: Lemonade for Pimms?
From: GUEST,cats
Date: 28 Jun 11 - 03:39 PM

unsweetened lemonade from health food shops or real food outlets. cheaper version is soda water, lemons and citric acid mixed together