pimm's & lemon

2 oz Pimm's No. 1
2 1/2 oz Lemon Juice
2 1/4 oz Simple Syrup (2:1)
7 oz Soda Water

Shake Pimm's, juice, and syrup with ice and strain into a Collins glass filled with fresh ice. Top with soda water, and garnish with a long cucumber slice, 2 small strawberries quartered into slices, 4-5 blackberries, an orange slice, and a straw.

For my second drink at Clio, bartender Todd Maul decided to make me a Pimm's & Lemon. The recipe was given to him by a guest from England. The gentleman requested one and when he discovered that Todd was not absolutely sure how to make this British drink, he provided his preferred recipe. Todd was a bit surprised how the recipe was less Pimm's forward than he had expected but was pleased at how the Pimm's played off the lemon. Todd improved on the request by making fresh lemonade with lemons and sugar instead of using a bottled brand. Moreover, Todd has been considering putting the drink on the menu as the weather gets warmer; however, he has been toying with idea of adding a little gin to make people happier with the alcohol content of the drink (Pimm's weighs in at 25% which puts this drink on the lighter end of the spectrum).
The garnishes paid dividends visually as well as in the aroma with the cucumber and strawberry notes being the strongest. As for the taste, the sip was a sweet and fruity Pimm's flavor, while the swallow was a citrus soda-like note. As can be expected from the recipe, the drink was on the sweet side instead of being crisp. Indeed, it was refreshing, flavorful, and light (save for the sugar content), and I could see this being a big hit especially in the summer months.