Pimm's & Cherry Lemonade

This Pimm's & Cherry Lemonade is a sweet taste of summer. Made with a classic British liqueur and lots of fresh fruit and herbs, it will help you instantly tune into the slow summer vibe.

When I think of summer, I think of langorous days of gentle sunshine. I think of trailing a hand into a lazy river, lying under the shade of an ancient tree, and grazing all day on a picnic that just keeps growing as more friends arrive to celebrate the slow summer pace. Of course, these are the perfect days.

More often than not, it's sweating profusely while you try to carry on with the endless grind of commerce. But as a witch, I've learned that perfect days rarely just happen. They are made with intention and care. Things go right because we will them to be so. That means we get to make our own ideal summer days. And maybe that starts by making a pitcher of Pimm's & Cherry Lemonade.

What makes Pimm's & Cherry Lemonade so awesome?

This simple drink is made with just two ingredients, barely a cocktail. But the liquids are just the beginning. What makes a Pimm's Cup perfectly aligned with slow summer energy is all the extras. It's the fresh fruit and herbs. It's serving outdoors in the (rare for Britain) sunshine. It's sharing it with friends.

This is a low-alcohol drink that you can sip on throughout the afternoon. It's sweet and a bit sour and goes down easily. Feel free to get creative with the fruit you add. Make it as simple or as complex as you like. But most importantly, make it something you'll enjoy. Also, work with any cherry soda you can find. Don't go out of your way to find the exact brand. We're being lazy after all.

Magical Properties of Cherries

According to The Kitchen Witch's Guide to Healing & Self-Care by Maggie Haseman, cherries are ruled by the element of fire and the planet Mars, but I've also seen other sources that associate them with Venus. So if you're looking for a bit more passion in your cherry spell, you can definitely call on that Mars energy. They're great in spells for attraction and love and bring a stimulating energy to your magical workings.

For more on the magical properties of the ingredients in this recipe, check the Kitchen Magick page.

Ingredients

Here's everything you'll need to make this drink. The full details are in the recipe card below.

• Pimm's - If you're in the UK, you'll probably be able to get a generic version if you want to save a bit of money.
• Cherry soda - Cherry 7-Up is great because it also has citrus flavors, but if you can't find that, choose whatever cherry soda you can get your hands on.
• Garnishes - I like to use fresh or frozen cherries, but maraschino cherries will also do. I also love to add lemons, limes, and fresh mint. Use what you like and what you can find.

Tips for making Pimm's & Cherry Lemonade

I think, especially if you're going to the trouble of adding all the fruit and herbs, this drink is really best made by the pitcher. Also, it's not an exact science, so adjust ratios to your liking. Have plenty of ice on hand so you can drink this nice and cold.

Fill your glass, pitcher, or jug with 2 parts Pimm's and 3 parts cherry soda. Then start adding sliced of lemons and limes, as well as plenty of cherries and fresh mint. Let it feel abundant. The flavors from the fruit and herbs will infuse into the drink as it sits in the pitcher. Serve in a tall glass over ice.

Summer is calling. Meet it at the park with Pimm's & Cherry Lemonade. It's gonna be awesome.

Looking for more awesome summer drink recipes? Try this Vodka Lime Slush or a non-alcoholic Italian Cream Soda.

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