The winter months do have their upsides, mulled wine, sloe gin and stouts...but it can not just be me who is craving for a bit of sun, is it?
So when we were out shopping the other day it was an easy decision to pick up a couple of the Cider Cups from Pimms. Like a lot of brands out their, Pimms are cashing in on the alcopop craze that is fruit ciders. Personally I am a real ale drinker, however Liz enjoys cider above all else so from time to time I do dabble into cider.
Previously I have talked about Kopparberg's 'Frozen Fruit' ciders, which were a bit 'meh' to say the least (as I wanted to add Gin just to make them feel like an alcoholic drink). So naturally I was a bit sceptical about the new offering's from Pimms.
We started with the 'original' Pimms Cider Cup 4%. On pouring this into our branded jam jar the smell took over our kitchen, I wish I had cucumber, strawberries and mint to hand ! Ideal over ice this 'cider' was very refreshing with the summery Pimms flavour that we all know and love. I use the word cider loosely here as there was no cider taste at all, but that to me was not a problem...this was essentially an alcopop designed to replicate the Pimm's and lemonade flavour, but as a pint. Liz really enjoyed this drink, it reminds us of our annual trip to the Great Yorkshire Show, where by 11am Liz has a glass of Pimms and I have a pint of Black Sheep to hand. For £2 a bottle I am quite torn as to whether I would buy this again or not, for 'something different' to drink this ticks all the boxes, the price is not too over the top either...but I wonder, will it not just be economical to buy a bottle of Pimms for the bar and mix it as it usually is made?
This next offering surprised me, sticking with the alcopop theme we have Plum & Red Apple 4%. The traditional Pimms summer flavour is present, but very much in the background. The fruit flavours of the Plum are not as sweet as you could imagine and very easily drinkable. We both enjoyed drinking this and would definitely purchase it again. Poured over ice (giraffe straw optional), it was slightly more refreshing than the first Cider Cup, but that is because it does not taste as strong.
These drinks are not for everyone, but if you see these in the run up to the summer it would be worth a try. Unlike the Kopparberg Frozen Fruit drinks, the Pimms Cider Cup's have more than a subtle strength to their flavour to put them one up on other AlcoPop's.
We were impressed and now counting down to Summer 2016 when it really will be Pimms O'Clock.
