Friday, May 27, 2016

HOLIDAY WEEKEND...A PIMM'S PARTY

 
I know what your thinking. What, the Mistress is stepping out with someone other than Gin?!? Why yes I say. What with the Memorial Day Weekend about to commence and the welcoming of summer, what better time for one of my other favorite drinks....PIMM'S! And it's gin based, why of course.
 
I came across these fascinating archives of vintage adverts showing the birth of the so-called 'Pimm's party' that emerged to mark the launch of the drink's first new flavor in 190 years. The adverts date back to the 1950s when the economy took a nosedive after the Second World War and many people socialized at home to save money. It is thought the marketing team behind the gin-based drink realized this and launched the idea of a Pimm's party as a way to encourage sales of the beverage.
The company sent out leaflets in 1950s to the 1960s which included top tips for the perfect social gathering. The marketing campaign worked and The 'Pimm's Party' soon became popular. Party suggestions included games such as Flipping The Kipper,(we have our own version of this at the casa which takes place in the pool) where guests were instructed to race paper fish by flapping them with cardboard. Another was the Match Box Race, in which two rows of people passed a matchbox from their nose to another person's, but DON'T ASK how we play this at the Casa!!!!!
 
Pimm's soared in popularity because it cost just around $12 a bottle which served 14 half pints when mixed with lemonade. Even today Pimm's is still cheap, I got several bottles today, at around $18. The drink was deemed a perfect accompaniment to small snacks at parties because it was initially invented as an aperitif. The recipe for Pimm's was created in the 1840s by James Pimm, who was a fishmonger and owner of an oyster house. He came up with the secret concoction of gin, herbs and liqueurs and served it in a small mug known as a Number One Cup as an aid to digestion. There were also other variations of the drink made with rum, scotch, brandy, rye, and vodka, but they were later discontinued.
 
I myself find it to be a wonderfully refreshing summer beverage, which I will be making today later when I have the Lad and four of the clan coming, and staying over tonight before we head to a mountain retreat for the holiday weekend, quite a change from the usual beach kick off.
I make mine with a good dose of Pimm's, mixed with plenty of ice, lemon -lime soda, and add a nice lime wedge and cucumber slice!!! I can't tell you how refreshing these are and go down like mother's milk!
 
I can't think of a better way to kick off the summer then with some of these cool drinks, a simple and cool luncheon, and some good friends for some debauchery.

40 comments:

  1. I loved this post!! Those vintage adverts are adored. Pimm's has long been a summer staple for my family in the summers, my father was originally from England. And that spread looks might delicious.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Cucumber sandwiches pair so nicely with Pimm's.

      Delete
  2. I could use a Pimm's party right now. Never mind the fact I still have to put in a full day at work.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. It's never too early for a cocktail....or too late.

      Delete
  3. As you know, I've had house guests for the past week and a half. Bless them though. They brought Pimms.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I sure hope they brought you multiple bottles!!! And their helping fluff those pillows.

      Delete
  4. Well, it sounds as if you have all the proper ingredients for kicking off the season: A sleepover with The Lad and "other guests," then off to the retreat, where I know the atmosphere will go from cool to sizzling hot! I'm jealous, of course. But, in a good way...
    Have a wonderful weekend - Hoist a toast to the men and women who served and sacrificed that we may do these things. I know you will do them proud.
    Hugs, my beautiful mistress.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Lovely comment! I sure will, and I make sure to carry some ice....here's to a freeing , relaxing weekend, cheers 🍸

      Delete
  5. Great post and great advertising. I remember those from my childhood but I don't remember my parents ever serving PIMMS at their cocktail parties. I wonder if I should give it a try.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you for stopping in Mitchell! By all means, YES you should try if you get the chance. Very simple to make. In a glass, I fill it with ice, pour two jiggers of pimms, add some lemonade and top off with choice of lemon lime soda. I then add in a slice of lime, cucumber, and a lemon sometimes. REFRESHING BEYOND BELIEF. Cheers🍸

      Delete
  6. Oh man, I had a,Pimms drink once....very refreshing! Love the games ideas. Matchbox race. How do you keep four matchboxs on your dick?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. please during the last matchbox game, we used his cock as the on ramp.

      Delete
  7. They needed to show them taking their keys and rolling them out the door :-)
    Have a great weekend!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. as refreshing as they are, these will most certainly hit will after about four or five. It's hard to stop at one, their some refreshing.

      Delete
  8. Anonymous5/27/2016

    Can you believe I thought Pimms was non-alcoholic? I have terrifying memories of the effects of it to this day. Bottoms up.
    JP

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. his bottom is always up

      Delete
    2. OH DEAR. I'm trying to think the last time I had a non alcoholic beverage...but lets not waste the afternoon. and ignore Ms Moorecock.

      Delete
  9. Pimms and you wonder line of food items all look so delicious. This reminds me of an episode of Mad Men where Betty Draper and a neighbor were making snacks while for her sons birthday party, all the while smoking and drinking, it made me laugh. The adults meanwhile ended up getting smashed. Of course. I do love me a refreshing Pimms.

    ReplyDelete
  10. I have heard this drink is very refreshing. And I have to have a matchbox race at my next party of course....casa style!

    ReplyDelete
  11. I absolutely love Pimms. If you love gin I don't know how you can't love Pimms. It the perfect alternative to a strong gin drink in the afternoon. Are we too assume your having a long weekend?

    ReplyDelete
  12. Those cucumber sandwiches and eggs look delicious! I wish I was off today too!!!! I am so trying this Pimms too.

    ReplyDelete
  13. mistress, your a regular walking wet bar. now rest up there are boys coming

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Don't ask me where Ive hidden the olives.

      Delete
  14. "go down like mother's milk!" - I know someone else who likes to go down. and I have never tried pimm's.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. WHO?WHO? YES, YOU SHOULD TRY IT!!!! I think as hot as you get, it would be refreshing.

      Delete
  15. A long weekend.how nice. I love some of the ideas for parties in the adverts. And of course Pimms is good....its gin based!!!! Cheers!

    ReplyDelete
  16. What an interesting ost! That spread looks phenomenal....its making me hungry.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I didn't think you guys could see me bending over from there?

      Delete
  17. I must be stupid. We didn't know you could buy Pimms here. We love it! Couple of years ago we were in England at a fancy food store and thought we saw higher numbers , but were told they were no longer made. #1 is synonymous!

    ReplyDelete
  18. A very enticing post, as always. I've never had Pimms..... but I've known a few pimps.

    Why am I always last? Because your posts seldom show up promptly on my Dashboard. Blogger seems to be acting very bizarre.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. That's been happening here two...certain blogs show up and other are showing up hour later. I have looked into it, and their seems to be no fix for it, so I find myself having to just click my links to see if my friends have updated....while drinking Pimms of course. And your never last in my book!

      Delete
  19. Looks refreshing. I've never had Pimms ....that I can remember. Have an extra for me since these days I'll just stick to the soda and take your word on its mixability.

    ReplyDelete
  20. I never had Pimm's till you brought me a bottle last summer....now it's the drink of summer for me. Unbelievable how refreshing it is.

    ReplyDelete
  21. Just bought some Pimms for party night...per your advice, I'll let you know how it pans out. I love those ads too.

    ReplyDelete
  22. Pearl Shaghopple5/28/2016

    In England we put strawberries and mint leaves in too. Enjoy your Pimm's!

    ReplyDelete
  23. I've never tried Pimm's, but you make it sound necessary. I'll have to look for it. Sounds great. I hope my liquor store has it.

    ReplyDelete
  24. Anyone else notice how empty the bottle on the island is already?

    ReplyDelete
  25. I was introduced to Pimm's by a lady called Daphne Wayne-Bough. I wish she was still blogging, Mistress - you and she would have hit it off like a house on fire!

    ReplyDelete
  26. Did someone say PIMSS'S???????

    ReplyDelete

Go ahead darling, tell me something fabulous!