Mardi Gras is next week and here’s a refreshing and light cocktail to get you ready for what lies ahead! The Pimm’s Cup was created in London by James Pimm in the 1840s but was adopted (and adapted) by the city of New Orleans! Here’s the Napoleon House version, which is now a New Orleans classic.

Pimm’s No. 1 is a tea-colored liqueur made with gin. Its said that the traditional version is made with “French lemonade,” which is basically a sparkling lemonade. The garnish is cucumber, but I’ve had fantastic variations that include strawberries, mint or orange slices. Go wild! That’s the Mardi Gras way. It’s a lower-alcohol cocktail that doesn’t skimp on flavor. Keep this recipe handy for when summer comes; you’ll be glad you did.

Ingredients

• 1 ¼ oz Pimm’s No. 1
• 3 oz lemonade*
• 7 Up (or other lemon-lime soda)
• Cucumber slices for garnish

Instructions

Fill a collins glass (about 12 oz glass) with ice. Add Pimm’s and lemonade, then top off with lemon-lime soda. Garnish with a cucumber slice.

*Make your own lemonade by mixing 2 oz fresh lemon juice with 1 oz simple syrup.

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