London Olympics 2012, doing it British style with A Pimms Cup!

People have barely put away their bunting from the Queens Jubilee celebration and it’s time to take it out again, only this time, it’s for the London Olympics. Great Britain played host to the Olympics back in 1908, 1948 and of course now 2012.

Knowing London is to know that it is not symbolic of vast spaces and a low density population. It is an already bustling city that right now is bustling on steroids to make space for this mammoth event. When 205 nations participate in 300 events, improving transportation to include an almost $40 million cable car and taking over parks and royal properties are just some of the initiatives deemed ‘essential’ (the cable car is perhaps debatable). This city is pushing its limits to accommodate every sport possible from archery to wrestling, it is show time and people are under the gun.

Momopeche

But the excitement does not come without controversy which is already in full swing with the immediate departure of Chief Executive Andrew Altman after the games are over. The London Olympics logo also caused quite a stir with its rapidly changing colors, causing fits of epilepsy. But controversy is no stranger to the Olympics. Here is a snapshot of just some of some of those marquee moments in history:

- 1916, Summer Olympics had to be cancelled due to the eruption of World War 1

- 1924, Germany not allowed to participate

- 1956, Boycotting of the games by Egypt, Iraq and Lebanon because of the Suez Crisis

- 1964-1992 South Africa prohibited to enter games due to apartheid

- 1976, Host city Quebec racked-up a $1.5M debt which was paid off in December 2006

- 1998, Ben Johnson lost his medal after testing positive for the use of Stanozolol

- 2008, 2 Chinese female gymnasts ages are thrown in to question

Edoardo Costa

Most of us will be hooked over the next few weeks, whether it is in support of our favorite contestants, patriotism or gossip. Either way, when emotions are running high and low, what could be better than a ‘British Pimm’s’ to take of the edge? Get in to the Olympic spirit this summer and do it the British way with a chilled, cucumber-y and fruity drink with a lick of Pimm’s to let those emotions be tamely expressed.

Pimms Cup Recipe

Ingredients

2oz Pimm’s

4oz Sprite or 7up or any other lemon-based soda

Lemon slice, 1 wedge cut into 2

Orange Slices, 1 wedge cut into 2

Cucumber, 1/4” piece, cut into thin rounds

Ice cubes

Method

1) Take a chilled glass. Add the ice, citrus and cucumber slices

2) Pour the 2 parts lemon soda to 1 part Pimm’s over the top

3) Mix and serve

Saira Malhotra is a classically trained French chef and graduate from the French Culinary Institute. A British born Punjabi, Saira has grown up around food which started from her family pizza business in a small suburb of London. Having studied in France and Italy and living in the Big Apple for the past 12 years, Saira has brought her European, Asian and American influences together via the palate and communicated through her food blog ‘Passport Pantry’.