To be filed in the "If you mention, just one more time, how bloody hot you are I am going to tip this glass of pimms over your head".

Hot Passion

• 1 shot Passoa
• 1 shot Vodka
• 3 shots Cranberry Juice
• 3 Shots Orange Juice

Shake ingredients with ice and strain into ice-filled glass.

Niagara Falls

• 1 shot Vodka
• 1 shot Grand Marnier
• ½ shot Fresh lemon juice
• 1/4 shot sugar syrup
• Top Up With Ginger Ale

Shake first four ingredients with ice and strain into a glass. Top up with the ale and stir gently.

Summer Breeze

• 2 shots Vodka
• ½ shot Elderflower Cordial
• Top Up With 2/3 Cranberry Juice and 1/3 Cloudy Apple Juice

Pour ingrdients into ice filled glass. Lovely.

God, I'm hot.

To be honest it is far too cold in the UK for any type of garden party. Spring might be here in the form of daffodils and other spring flowers but the weather is not yet conducive for sitting outside. Not today anyway. Still the one thing, drink-wise, that sums up warmer days is Pimms. Quintessentially English - days of tennis, cricket, river regattas and lazy days sitting in fields or parks.

Created by James Pimm in his 1820`s Oyster Bar. Pimm began to market it ready-mixed in 1859, such was its popularity. It was taken as a digestive tonic, due to the high level of quinine and the mash of herbs involved in its production. Fashionable society began to drink Pimm`s as a cocktail during the later part of the 19th century, partially for the alcoholic lift and partially because it was weak enough to be drunk all afternoon.

There are innumerable cocktail recipes using Pimms; some place great play on shoving as much fruit in the cup as possible others are more understated. This is my classic version

Pimms Original

Mix and drink.