Anyone for Pimm’s?
The skies are blue, the days are long and the strawberries and cream are flowing at Wimbledon. The British summer has arrived with fervour. This might seem a trivial thing, but on an island where even the sunniest regions get over 100 days of rain per year, (close to 300 days in other areas) we have an understandable appreciation of sunshine. Knotted handkerchiefs become customary headgear, our trousers rolled up to the knees, and we pour ourselves a long glass of that most essential of all summer accessories, Pimm’s.
Pimm’s is regarded to be epitome of English refinery, the drink of choice for the Wimbledon hat-wearers and every polo tournament frequenter in the Royal Shires. Order a pint of Carling at a polo match and you’re in for some stern looks. Shellfish monger-turned restaurateur James Pimm came about the idea for this gin-based cocktail in 1823 whilst searching for the ideal digestif for his oysters. Thirty years later and demand for the ‘No.1 Cup’ was such that the company moved to large scale production in order to keep gentlemen’s bars and officer’s messes well stocked up. Pimm expanded his range in the years to come, using his herbal recipe with other base liquors; vodka, scotch, rum and the like, although few of these survive to this day. Marketing variations on an original brand is a difficult proposition, one which only the KitKat Chunky has met with success in recent years.
So dust off your top hat and sock garters, stiffen your upper lip, go out in the midday sun and enjoy the taste of a very upper class England.
Toodle pip!
GDave
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GDave,
Delightful post. You write well and have a fine sense of humor. I’ll join you all and roll up my trousers, don my hippie bandana, pour myself a Pimm’s, eat some strawberries and cream and cheer for Andy.
What do you think Cid? Will I like Pimm’s? I’ve never had it before.
I’ll give it a try, it sounds like fun! And don’t fret, “I know my place.” Quirky American.
Go, Andy, go!
(Murray or Roddick? Which Andy will win?)
Pour me another round, please.
Melissa
Comment by Melissa − on Jul 1, 2009 at 2:52 am
Melissa,
Thank you so. I’m glad that even with your Scottish roots you’re happy to muck in with us Sasannachs.
Andy Roddick is a damn good outside bet. You’ll get 14/1 on him as we speak. Pretty tidy for a former world number one, I think. Mind you, after my Eurovision Song Contest betting failure I’d take my betting tips with a huge pinch of salt. Perhaps just put your feet up, enjoy your kale lasagne with a glass of Pimm’s and give the occasional ripple of approval for the better man.
GDave
Comment by greedydave − on Jul 1, 2009 at 3:55 am
Melissa,
Yes you’re going to love Pimms…. it’s a sort of up market fruity sparkler with a hint of Gin, topped up with either lemonade or elderflower presse with ice. On a hot day it always seems like a good idea until you realise you’ve had several pints and can’t remember your name
Cid
Comment by Cid − on Jul 2, 2009 at 7:54 pm
GDave,
I love your expression of ‘a ripple of approval’…. although by the time Melissa and I have downed a couple of modest Pimms, that ripple might spill over into a roar
There is no truth in the rumour that the two Andy’s have asked the pair of us to team up for a doubles match…. but if they had, personally I’d favour Melissa and I, the Andy’s wouldn’t stand a chance, distracted no doubt by our latest tennis kaftans, concealing an emergency flask of Pimms and a straw
Cid
Comment by Cid − on Jul 2, 2009 at 8:09 pm
You Brits are a lively bunch. I doubt I could keep up (actually, I know I couldn’t), but I’m definitely interested in trying this wonderful sounding refreshment. I have no idea what elderberry presse is, but I love lemonade. Real lemonade made from fresh squeezed lemons. I’ll meet you all at Wimbledon gardens tomorrow morning for the match between our Andy and yours.
GDave, you bring the Pimms. Cid can bring an assortment of fine cheeses and I’ll bring — I’ll bring — hmmm? I’m wondering what will travel well from this side of the pond. I’ll bring levi’s for the boys and a piece of Native American Indian silver & turquoise jewelry for Cid. It will go with her eclectic, global fashion look.
See you tomorrow.
Melissa
GDave — what are Sasannachs?
Comment by Melissa − on Jul 2, 2009 at 9:56 pm
GDave,
A very fitting post, nice to see you flying the flag.
Cheers!
Miles
Comment by Miles − on Jul 2, 2009 at 11:57 pm
Cid,
Ah well, it was the American Andy who won the day. Hats off to him! Let’s not cry into our Pimm’s. I look forward to the mixed doubles, it’ll be most entertaining and I just love the idea of an emergency Pimm’s flask. Perhaps Melissa can hang a Saint Bernard-style, miniature cask of Pimm’s from Fairbanks’s collar in case any of us need “rescuing.”
GDave
Comment by greedydave − on Jul 3, 2009 at 9:51 pm
Melissa,
I’ll take a pair of classic 501s in size 30W x 36L…. ummm, honestly.
‘Sasannach’ is a Scots Gaelic word to designate the English. It’s usually used either detrimentally or quite playfully. I’ve only ever experienced the latter. They’re a good bunch of folk here, albeit terrible at tennis.
GDave
Comment by greedydave − on Jul 3, 2009 at 9:51 pm
Thanks Miles,
Summer wouldn’t be the same without it. I’m very proud of our icons.
GDave
Comment by greedydave − on Jul 3, 2009 at 9:51 pm