Break the rules with your summer cup, says Susy Atkins
Offer to make a summer cup or fruit cup and you might get baffled looks. Explanations of a pre-mixed punch, based on gin with added fruit, spices and other botanicals, topped up lemonade, might not get many takers. But say the single word “Pimm’s” and you’ll be knocked down in the rush.
The Pimm’s brand is as synonymous with this style of drink as Hoover is to vacuum cleaners. And the original Pimm’s No 1, said to have been invented by James Pimm in a City of London warehouse in 1840, is a definitely a decent drop, well balanced in its sweet, herbal, fruity and slightly bitter elements.
But what about other brands of summer cup? My favourite, by far, even over Pimm’s, is Sipsmith’s Original London Cup. The modern-day spirit pioneers have really cracked it with this – it’s delicious served neat over ice, though I do realise the ritual of topping up with lemonade and festooning with berries, mint and cucumber is much the point of a summer cup for many.
Other brands, particularly some of the supermarket own-label versions, are not nearly as appealing. Asda’s Summer Cup (£7 for 70cl) is very sweet and spicy – too confected in flavour for me. And Marks & Spencer’s Summer Cup (£12 for 75cl) is oddly melony – fine if you like a melon-flavoured drink.
I’ve recommended my favourite runners-up to Pimm’s here. Don’t forget to break the rules – top up with ginger ale or sparkling elderflower instead of lemonade perhaps, or substitute lemon verbena or lemon thyme for the ubiquitous mint. It’s your cuppa, after all.
SIPSMITH ORIGINAL LONDON CUP
(29.5%, £19.50 for 70cl, ocado.com)
A blend of Sipsmith’s classic London Dry gin with Earl Grey tea, lemon verbena and borage. Wonderfully aromatic with a herbal rush of botanical flavours finishing on a warming spicy note.
ABLEFORTH’S SUMMER FRUIT CUP
(31.2%, £25.95 for 50cl, thewhiskyexchange.com)
This version isn’t cheap, but tastes strong and appealing with its rich, lingering ripe strawberries and redcurrants. There’s a seam of cinnamon spice too.
TESCO SUMMER CUP
(25%, £8 for 70cl, tesco.com)
The best bargain buy of the summer cups, Tesco’s own-label version is well made with sweetness in good check and both spice and fruit in good balance. Its zesty edge is really refreshing.