Riders Up, Bottoms Up
At the risk of sounding like a blog entry on StuffWhitePeopleLike.com, I can’t help but celebrate the annual coincidence of the Iroquois Steeplechase and the lesser-known cricket match between the Nashville Occasionals and Paget’s Marauders this weekend.
Like the thirstiest of Anglophiles, I’m already salivating for a tall glass of Pimm’s to sip as I ogle thoroughbreds and men in white trousers competing for glory on Nashville’s momentarily emerald fields. Currently, I’m busy devising a delivery system by which I will smuggle all the ingredients into the events without any glass bottles.
I’ve got it almost down to a science: Pour the Pimm’s No. 1 gin-based liquor into the plastic 2-liter bottle of the chosen mixer and carry the requisite mint, lemons, limes, oranges and cucumbers in a baggie, to be assembled on site in tall plastic glasses filled with ice.
But here’s the sticky wicket: What should the mixer be? I tend to go with sugar-free ginger ale, since I plan to be drinking a lot of the refreshing cocktail and don't want to OD on high-fructose corn syrup. But cases can be made for ginger beer, Sprite and 7-Up, and some folks like to top off with a splash of soda, which seems redundant on a hot day when the ice melts quickly.
I’m curious if any of you bartenders out there have a different spin on Pimm's. Wimbledon is coming up, and I hate to get in a rut.
Comments
I've always wanted to try Pimm's. I wholeheartedly recommend Buffalo Rock which I think is the best ginger ale I've had. Or, for something different, Ale-8-One from my home town in KY which is in the ginger ale family...Although Ale-8 is really only good in longneck glass bottles. Maybe I'll see you at Steeplechase, and I can give you some of my mixers for some of your Pimm's?
Posted 05/09/2008 at 04:27:35 PMI've always wanted to try Pimm's as well...I'm a gin drinker and like somewhat bitter, aromatic flavors in my alcoholic beverages...so I suspect I will like it...
Fox, don't ask me how I know this...but 1 cup plus 1 tablespoon of 80-proof booze substituted for an equal amount of liquid taken out of a two-liter bottle mixer of your choice...leaves you with a 5% alcohol solution (the alcohol content of your average beer)... =D
Posted 05/09/2008 at 04:59:20 PMAlso, judging from the color of it...you could probably buy 2-3 20-ish ounce Ocean Spray cranberry juice bottles from your favorite convenience store and put the Pimm's (full-strength) in there -- mixing it "fresh" at the park.
(I'm not that familiar with the Steeplechase so I'm not 100% clear on what rule you're trying to subvert -- no alcohol or no glass?)
Posted 05/09/2008 at 05:04:02 PMWow, that is excellent intel. Thanks! (Not trying to subvert any rules. As far as I can tell, booze is strongly encouraged. Just trying to abide by the no-glass rule. The thought of a shard in a horse's hoof makes me cringe.)
Posted 05/09/2008 at 05:36:57 PMYeah...I wasn't sure. Every time I'VE put alcohol in a plastic bottle of something-or-other, I've been subverting! So I just assumed! [COUGH]SECFOOTBALLGAMES[COUGH]
;P
Posted 05/09/2008 at 07:18:23 PMooh ooh 1/2 pimms and 1/2 7-up! add lots of fresh fruit like melon balls, strawberries, grapes, etc. delicious AND refreshing!
Posted 05/10/2008 at 11:13:21 AM2 parts good lemonade
1 part Pimm's
Top off with... a splash of Fresca (after much experimentation I've found this works better than soda or 7-up). Garnish with cuke slice.
Congratulations, you now know how I spent my Saturday.
Posted 05/11/2008 at 11:43:29 AMI nominate Fresca as the most underestimated diet beverage on the market.
For what it's worth, I was at Bricktop's this morning and noticed they do Pimm's with lemonade and soda water.
Posted 05/11/2008 at 12:25:27 PMStraight up Diet 7-up -- it's all natural now, you know, no preservatives.
Also at the risk of sounding like stuffwhitepeoplelike, did you see this photostream at flickr?
http://www.flickr.com/photos/wilsonh/page2/
Many familiar faces and great photos
Posted 05/14/2008 at 12:28:51 PMi used some pimms the other day in a chicken liver recipe and it was actually wonderful. i held the soda though...
Posted 05/15/2008 at 11:04:54 AM