A monthly roundup of things that give me life...
I've got a very special drinks edition for you today! A guest drinks edition brought to you by my British-American friend Julia Kelly to celebrate my new UK cover!
First, let's look at my beautiful cover, then you can fix a very British drink to celebrate it!
Isn't it fun? I love seeing my book re-interpreted in different ways! So if you are in the United Kingdom, Australia, any part of the English speaking world that IS NOT North America, this is the cover you'll see for THE ROYAL RUNAWAY, my novel that is releasing 9 October 2018! (see how I used the right date format?)
And now please welcome my friend, author Julia Kelly. I asked her to tell us about a quintessential British summer cocktail.
Author Julia Kelly and family. Probably role-playing scenes from THE ROYAL RUNAWAY.
Since moving to London, I’ve realized that there are a few reliable clues that summer is coming. People start wearing light jackets rather than heavy ones. Tennis players start thinking about dusting off their tennis whites. And the Pimms begins to flow.
If you aren’t familiar with Pimms, it’s an herbal-ish drink made from Pimm’s No. 1 Cup, lemonade, fruit, cucumber, and mint. Think British sangria, minus the wine.
In the UK, you can buy Pimm’s in cans, but that takes all of the romance out of the drink. Instead, break out your best water pitcher and mix up a batch. Just be careful. Depending on who’s mixing the drink and whether they add anything “special” to it (i.e. gin), it can be more potent than you think.
Julia’s Perfect Pimm’s
250ml Pimm’s No. 1 Cup
500ml British-style lemonade*
Orange, sliced
Strawberries, sliced
Cucumber, sliced
1 bunch mint leaves
Ice cubes
Slice your fruit and cucumber. (The beauty of Pimm’s is that you can customize how much fruit you really want). Place the fruit, mint, and ice into a large pitcher. Pour in your Pimm’s and lemonade over and stir. Pour out your Pimm’s and be sure to eat the liquor-soaked fruit when you reach the end of the jug. Enjoy with friends or (safely) by yourself. We won’t judge.
*British lemonade is not like American lemonade! It’s a slightly fizzy drink that’s more lightly sweet than sharp. In a pinch try flavoring sparkling water with a couple squeezes of fresh lemon.
