Pub blogs

Wrote a clutch of blogs in 2013 for the websites of four South Coast pubs: The Anchor Inn in Cowes, The Lifeboat in East Cowes, The Grapes in Southampton, and The Mayflower in Lymington. These blogs ranged from guides to the local area, to posts on matching beer with food, what defines real ale, and how to taste beer. Their websites have since been redesigned, but a snippet of my content is below:

PIMM'S O'CLOCK

Lighter evenings, (marginally) warmer weather, and trees bursting into blossom - it can only mean one thing...Spring is finally on its way! It seems to have been a long time coming this year, but at last it seems like we will soon be enjoying those longed-for lazy days in the garden, al fresco dining, and trips to the beach. And what better way to celebrate some balmy weather than with that archetypal summer drink, Pimm's No. 1? Surely the most popular liquid refreshment since tea was introduced to the British Isles; nothing says summer quite like a jug of iced Pimm's. This fruity, iconic drink gives any gathering a sense of occasion, be it the beverage of choice at a garden party or a picnic.

It's also surprisingly versatile. Follow our tried and tested recipe below to make the perfect Pimm's - and if you fancy trying something a bit more creative with your favourite summer ingredient, we can recommend a Pimm's Royale or Pimm's lollipops!

How To Make a Perfect Pimm's

• 1 part Pimm's No. 1
• 3 parts chilled lemonade
• Ice cubes
• Mint leaves, thin slivers of cucumber or slices of orange
• Some halved strawberries.

Throw a few ice cubes into a tall (HiBall) glass. Fill it a quarter full of Pimm's and top with lemonade. Add a little mint and fruit. Cut a halved strawberry and place on the rim of the glass. (Or for a Pimm's Ginger, use ginger ale instead of lemonade and just add mint as a garnish).

Pimm's Royale

• 25 ml Pimm's No. 1
• Cava or champagne
• Strawberries

Pour the Pimm's into a champagne flute and top with your bubbly of choice. Add a strawberry or two, placing a cut slice on the rim, if you like.

Pimm's lollipops

These are great fun for a party but be sure to keep them away from the kids - or better still, only serve after dark when the children are safely tucked up for the night! They make a great palate cleanser between courses or a fun dessert after a BBQ supper.

• 300 ml Pimm's
• 850 ml lemonade or ginger ale
• Fresh strawberries, halved
• Mint leaves
• Zest of 1 orange
• Lolly moulds and sticks

Mix the Pimm's and lemonade together. Place a little fruit and mint leaves into each lolly mould. Top with the Pimm's mixture until just three-quarter's full. Freeze for one hour then remove and insert a lolly stick, before freezing until completely set (abut 2-3 hours).

Last updated 13:24 on 11 June 2019