Try reading “Pimm’s Cup” in a British accent. Now, try it after you’ve downed a Pimm’s Cup or two, and good luck figuring if the accent has gotten better or worse. Talking of everything British, Pimm’s Cup is a classic cocktail that the people in England enjoy especially over the summers. In this blog we will journey through the story of Pimm’s. Maybe by the end of it, you’ll be so charmed by the story that you’ll fly to London on the next flight to try this for yourself.
The Origin Story
Think of a summer day in Britain, and there’s no way the Pimm’s Cup won’t be in the picture. A traditional British cocktail, it was created by James Pimm, the owner of an oyster restaurant and bar. Back in the 19th century, Pimm concocted this fascinating drink as an aid to digest his oysters. This mixture of gin, quinine, herbs, fruits, and spices gained popularity; so much so that everyone began to associate the cup with the man.
Pimm sure had an eye for business; he soon began to sell this digestif in bottles, and that’s how Pimm’s No. 1 was born. This gin-based tonic became the base for the famous Pimm’s Cup cocktail we know today. Want to know what exactly went into the OG Pimm’s No. 1? Grab an ouija board and let us know when you find out; old man Pimm took that secret to the grave!
Keep an eye out the next time you watch a Wimbledon tennis match, it’s not just iconic people you’ll spot but iconic drinks too! Yep, the Pimm’s Cup is one of two drinks available to sip on while you enjoy some tennis. In fact, the first ever Pimm’s Bar opened here. Now, it’s a thing to have this drink at the matches, but of course you can enjoy it whenever you like. Read on to find out how.
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How It’s Made
The Pimm’s Cup recipe is pretty easy to prepare; all you need to do is dump all the ingredients into a big glass and stir. That’s it! Now that we know the origin story, let’s dive into the steps on how to make this delicious cocktail.
1. Squeeze some lemon juice, depending on how much flavor you want.
2. Now pour Pimm’s No.1 and some sparkling lemonade into a pitcher with the lemon juice.
3. Add a few slices of cucumber, strawberries or any fruit of your choice, and add some basil leaves.
4. Let this mixture sit for a while (around 10 minutes), so that the flavors can come together.
5. Now take a tall glass, and fill it with ice up to half.
6. Pour the mixture into the glasses and stir lightly.
7. Finally, garnish with mint.
There you have it! The classic Pimm’s Cup cocktail.
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Pimm’s With A Twist
As the drink kept getting more attention, the brand thought of experimenting with different flavors to mix it up. Now we all know the traditional Pimm’s Cup No.1 which is a gin-based tonic, but there came many more after that. Let’s have a look –
1. Pimm’s Cup No. 1 – This is the original and the most popular type of Pimm’s Cup. It’s a gin based cocktail infused with herbs, fruits, and spices which makes it more refreshing.
2. Pimm’s Cup No. 2 – This drink was made with the base as Scotch whiskey. The rest of the ingredients could be similar to the original Cup. But if you haven’t tasted it already, then you are too late, because this version is phased out.
3. Pimm’s Cup No. 3 – This drink was made with brandy, which gives it a warm and rich taste. Today, we no longer have this version, but we do have a ‘Pimm’s Winter Cup’ variety of this staple which consists of orange peel and other spices. You enjoy this in winter, seasonally, if the name doesn’t make it obvious.
4. Pimm’s Cup No. 4 – No. 4 was a rum-based cocktail, which gave a more tropical flavor to the drink. Today, it has been phased out so there’s no chance for you to sip this one, but we’ll remember you Pimm’s No. 4.
5. Pimm’s Cup No. 5 – Rye whiskey was the base for this variety of Pimm’s Cup. But this is another one of the versions that is now phased out. So, we’re out of luck with this one too.
6. Pimm’s Cup No. 6 – This is the newest version of Pimm’s Cup. It’s vodka-based with a mix of herbs, spices, and fruits of your choice. This is a much lighter version of Pimm’s Cup No. 1, so if you prefer light drinks, this one’s for you.
Summing Up
Pimm’s Cup gives you both – sophistication and refreshment. This posh drink’s versatile nature makes it possible for you to customize this cocktail as per your taste. So go ahead, change up the herbs, fruits, and spices you put into the cocktail, and make your own Pimm’s Cup. Maybe you can share your recipes with us later!
FAQs
1. What is the main spirit in Pimm’s?
Gin is the main ingredient in a traditional Pimm’s Cup.
2. Can you get drunk from Pimm’s?
Pimm’s (the gin-based tonic) has an alcohol content of about 25%, which is not as strong as other gin tonics, but yes, it can get you drunk if you consume it too much at the same time.
3. Is Pimm’s an aperitif or a digestif?
Pimm’s is a digestif, a drink generally enjoyed after a meal.
4. Is there vodka in Pimm’s?
One of the Pimm’s variations is a vodka-based drink named Pimm’s No. 6.
5. How many types of Pimm’s are there?
There are in total six types of Pimm’s Cup, but only Pimm’s No. 1, 6, and 3 remain today.
6. What can I use instead of lemonade in Pimm’s?
Ginger ale or soda water is a common alternative for sparkling lemonade in Pimm’s.
7. Is Pimm’s vegan?
Yes, Pimm’s is vegan, that is, it contains no animal derivatives.
