IN this heatwave summer, it can always be Pimm’s o’clock. But the posh tipple has competition brewing. Supermarkets sell copycat versions at lower prices, but how do they compare?
Telly drinks expert JOE WADSACK tested them blind for The Sun, using the traditional recipe of one part liqueur to three parts lemonade.
He shares his verdict and gives marks out of five.
Pimm's No.1 (Original) 70cl
- 25% ABV, £15 from Pimm's — buy now
- Rating: ★★★★☆
“Doesn’t smell of much. It’s got a persistence of flavour even though it’s not very aromatic.
"Not as exciting as some of the others but perfectly good.”
Pimm's No.6 Vodka Cup, 70cl
- 25% ABV, £19.99 from Pimm's — buy now
- Rating: ★★★☆☆
“A very well-made product. There’s nothing bad about it, nothing hollow.
"It’s a complete drink though a little bit on the sweet side.”
Best overall
Sipsmith London Cup, 70cl
- 29.5% ABV, £20 from Sipsmith — buy now
- Rating: ★★★★★
“Nicely blended, with attractive hints of demerara sugar and caramel.
"It’s classy, with notes of ginger and cardamom.
"It’s not trying to be someone else.”
Best bargain
Austin's Summer Punch, 1l
- 17.5% ABV, £5.99 from Aldi — buy now
- Rating: ★★★★☆
“It has a nice, long aftertaste. There’s nothing out of whack, exactly how you want it to be.
"You’d almost believe it’s the real deal.”
Peyton's, 1l
- 17.5% ABV, £6.99 from Lidl — buy now
- Rating: ★★★☆☆
“Has a strong, Pimm’s-like colour, and that’s important.
"But it’s less sweet, it’s trying to be a grown-up drink.
"Ultimately unrefreshing, it tastes a bit dull.”
Pitchers, 1l
- 25% ABV, £12 from Sainsbury's — buy now
- Rating: ★★★☆☆
“I like its balance, even though it tastes like it’s low-alcohol, a bit diluted.
"But I like it overall, it has a Pimm’s-iness to it.
"Very drinkable and well-proportioned.”
Summer Cup, 70cl
- 25% ABV, £8 from Tesco — buy now
- Rating: ★☆☆☆☆
“There’s a sense of disappointment of what could have been.
"It’s like they have said, ‘Life’s too short, so why bother with this drink?’ It’s the taste of regret.”
MOST READ IN FABULOUS
Biggest loser
The Great Summer Cup, 70cl
- 21.9% ABV, £7 from Asda — buy now
- Rating: ★☆☆☆☆
"There’s a bizarre liquorice and toothpaste-like mintiness.
"There are no flavours here that feel like they go well with fruit.
"I think I have found the worst.”
Alcoholic Solero slushies have been invented and they could be the perfect summer drinkncG1vNJzZmivp6x7tbTErKynZpOke7a3jp%2BYm62cpMK0e8Wopp1nZm6Aen6PcGapoZ2iwG6%2F1Kmcq6WRp7imwIycpqmxk5bBbr7Er6Cer12nrrW1zaCqaA%3D%3D