The weather in Beijing this year has been quite unpredictable. However, it seems that summer is finally making its presence felt, as evidenced by the high temperatures we experienced yesterday, highlighting how quickly things can warm up. One of my favorite ways to combat the heat is by enjoying a chilled drink or two, so here are three cocktail recipes you can try to help you cool off this summer.
**Pimm's Cup**
As a Brit, nothing embodies summer for me quite like a glass of Pimm's. For those who may not know, Pimm's, or its full name Pimm's No.1 Cup, is a gin liqueur infused with herbs, spices, and caramelized orange, created by James Pimm in 1840. This spirit is typically mixed with lemonade, fruit, and mint to form a Pimm’s cocktail. In the UK, it's a staple at any summer gathering, served at weddings, barbecues, festivals, and even during Wimbledon.
**Ingredients:**
- Ice
- 50ml Pimm's No. 1
- 150ml lemonade* (Sprite, 7-Up, etc.), chilled
- 2-3 mint leaves
- 2 slices of cucumber
- 2 slices of orange
- 1 strawberry, halved
**Method:**
1. Fill the glass with ice.
2. Add the Pimm’s.
3. Pour in the lemonade.
4. Lightly crush the mint leaves in your hand, then add them to the glass.
5. Add the cucumber, orange, and strawberry slices.
6. Stir with a straw and enjoy!
*For a variation, you can mix it with ginger ale instead of lemonade.
**English Garden Cocktail**
Continuing with the British theme, this is another of my preferred drinks for warmer days. It’s a light, floral, and refreshing gin-based cocktail featuring elderflower, apple, and lime, perfect for sipping in the sun.
**Ingredients:**
- 50 ml gin
- 10ml elderflower syrup (adjust according to your sweetness preference)
- 75 ml apple juice (cloudy is best)
- 15 ml freshly squeezed lime juice
- Lime wedges (for garnish)
- Fresh mint leaves (optional garnish)
- Ice
**Method:**
1. Fill a cocktail shaker with ice.
2. Add the gin, elderflower liqueur or syrup, apple juice, and lime juice.
3. Shake well until chilled (about 15 seconds).
4. Strain into a glass filled with fresh ice.
5. Garnish with lime wedges and a sprig of mint.
**Watermelon Margarita**
Shifting away from the British theme for our last cocktail, we have this delightful and refreshing drink. I fondly recall the first time I tasted a watermelon-based cocktail at the now-closed Ramo on Fangjia Hutong during a hot summer day—it was the ideal refresher.
**Ingredients:**
- 45 ml tequila (blanco is best)
- 30 ml fresh lime juice
- 60 ml fresh watermelon juice (blend watermelon and strain)
- 10 ml agave syrup (optional, adjust sweetness)
- Salt or Tajín for rimming the glass
- Watermelon wedge and lime wheel for garnish
- Ice
**Instructions:**
1. Rim a glass with lime and dip it in salt or Tajín, then set it aside.
2. In a shaker, mix the tequila, lime juice, watermelon juice, and agave syrup.
3. Add ice and shake vigorously.
4. Strain into a glass filled with ice.
5. Garnish with a watermelon wedge and lime wheel.
**Note:** To find Pimm’s or elderflower syrup in Beijing, you can check the following stores:
- April Gourmet
- Jenny Lou’s
- Jenny Wang
- Bob’s Select/Wine/Wine Cellar
- Bob’s Wine
- 1919
If you’re using a food delivery app, it might be useful to search for the Chinese name for Pimm's, which is 飘仙酒 (piāoxiān jiǔ), or the Chinese name for elderflower syrup, which is 接骨木花糖浆 (jiēgǔmù huā tángjiāng).
What’s your go-to summer cocktail? Share with us in the comments!
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Images: Canva, Unsplash, Freepik
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Combat the approaching summer heat with these three refreshing cocktails.