Pimm’s is my favourite summertime drink – so it’ll come as no surprise that when a jar of special edition Pimm’s jam arrived on my desk, I was pretty excited. The strawberry, tangerine and mint preserve features all the key ingredients found in a jug of the fruity summer treat. Question is: how does that tastes when teamed with a slice of toast and melted butter?
We got busy at the communal office toaster to put this quintessentially British beverage-turned-preserve to the test – and yes, it does contain alcohol: 4% of Pimm’s No.1 Gin-based spirit drink, to be precise. The spread is gluten-free, and also suitable for vegetarians and coeliacs. It’s available from Waitrose and Asda all year round, with a RRP of £2.49.
Is it a flavour sensation or unworthy of our tastebuds’ attention this summer? Here’s what we thought...
“Lacking on the alcohol, but still 10/10.”
Sophie Gallagher, Life Reporter
“Is there anything more delicious for a weekend breakfast than lashings of fruity jam on an over-buttered slice of toast, washed down with a large cup of tea? I’d argue not. That was until I learned I could have alcohol added into the mix.
“As a lover of the summery beverage, I had high expectations for Pimm’s jam, but my first thought was that it tasted distinctly non-Pimmsy. Yes, it was delicious and packed a punch (think first taste of strawberry and raspberry conserve, with an aftertaste of tangy orange marmalade) but given its alcoholic USP, it is seriously lacking. Despite this, 10/10 would eat again, served with a side of Wimbledon.”
“Oh my goodness, it’s absolutely delicious.”
Daniel Welsh, Entertainment Reporter
“As someone who wouldn’t usually consider myself a Pimm’s fan, I really wasn’t sure what to expect – but oh my goodness, it’s absolutely delicious. The Pimm’s is quite subtle, whereas when you get those tinnies of pre-made Pimm’s it’s can be a bit overbearing. I never thought I’d be advocating for ‘jam on toast’ as a summer must-have, yet here we are.”
“Taking a sweet thing and making it sweeter.”
Vicky Frost, Executive Life Editor
“The best bit about actual Pimm’s is that you get a free fruit salad – plus bonus cucumber – with your drink. It’s what makes this sweet summer treat palatable; something more than alcoholic squash for a boozy summer Sunday. So I’m a bit sceptical about Pimm’s jam, which sounds like you’re taking a sweet thing and making it sweeter; sugar cubed, essentially.
“But in fact it’s not half bad. It starts off as a totally fine strawberry jam – not your Bonne Maman or homemade standard, but not just a smear of red-coloured syrup – and then you get a marmalade-y hit of orange. I miss the freshness that cucumber and mint bring to the Pimm’s party (there are flecks of something herbal lurking in there, but you can’t really taste them), but this is a perfectly pleasant pot for weekend-morning jam on toast.
“I didn’t get any additional boozy hints.”
Jessica Pitocchi, Deputy Audience Editor
“To be honest, it was a tasty jam but it was just... jam? I didn’t get any additional boozy hints or special fruity flavours – a bit disappointing when Pimm’s is the epitome of summer and it could have been an acceptable way of starting your day with a cocktail.”
“The love child of jam and marmalade.”
Natasha Hinde, Life Reporter
“This is basically the love child of jam and marmalade, thanks to the two key ingredients: strawberry and tangerine. There’s a slight tang of gin (?!) but I don’t taste very much mint – although weirdly I can see tiny flakes of mint wobbling about in the jam on my toast.
“The flavour isn’t overbearing like you might expect. It’s subtle, sweet and delicious. It really doesn’t taste like Pimm’s but, that said, I would definitely buy.”
Fancy trying it for yourself? Buy it here.
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