Need advice on Lemonade in London

[Samuelinthekitchen]

Hi folks,

I'm a recent arrival in London and am hosting a party soon that will involve Pimms cups.

I'm sorted on sourcing good fruit and herbs, but as the only other ingredient besides Pimms is lemonade, I don't want to let my cocktails down with Sprite.

I'm rather hoping someone might be able to point me in the direction of a great quality lemonade to complete my cups.

Many thanks

[Samuelinthekitchen]

Thanks so much folks. It's my first time making Pimms cups, so I really appreciate the help.

[Theresa]

One other suggestion - I too hate lemonade in Pimms - try tonic water (NOT slimline), it's fab and tastes much more grown up!

[nanette]

Or champagne if you're a serious drinker.

[Robin Joy]

......and come from Essex.

But, seriously, "Pimms Royale"(?) is a truly horrible drink. Also, for the £/bottle equivalent (say about £25) you are getting into proper white Burgundy territory, a far superior tipple.

Hey, just my opinion!

[PhilD]

Robin, that is a new one on me. How much white Burgundy do you mix with the Pimms? Is Premier Cru OK or does it need to be Grand? And so you vary the fruit/herbs when you use Burgundy?

[nanette]

nothing wrong with Essex... I usually go with Prosecco.

[frogprince]

This may be sacrilege to some...but I find Pimms with Lemonade far too sweet so I usually use low-sugar Ginger Ale or even Ginger Beer. I find it gives the Pimms a little kick and complements the mint.

[greedygirl]

I like ginger beer in mine too.

[relizabeth]

me too!

[greedygirl]

For Pimms you just need bog standard supermarket lemonade and it should be fizzy. Go to Waitrose if you want to be posh.

[skut]

Making your own isn't hard at all. I'm sure one of the posh supermarkets probably has some good stuff, or sells Fentimans. Wild Caper/Franco Manca make excellent lemonade also. Would be interested to hear the suggestions of others.

[Robin Joy]

Pimms needs the clear carbonated stuff skutty, not the lovely real thing, which would taste very odd in Pimms, I think.

R. Whites has always been standard issue in the UK, but I doubt if anyone could tell if supermarket own brand was used. FWIW for Pimms I cut my lemonade with about 25% tonic water to pull back the sweetness a little.

[skut]

cheers guys, I guess I should sheepishly admit I'm not much of a pimms man.