A spicy, floral and complex cocktail, the Pimm’s Cup is a perfect complement to a warm summer evening.
Tonight’s cocktail is not just a classic, but a bit of history come to life in every sip. The Pimm’s Cup has been enticing drink enthusiasts for more than a handful of decades. In fact, the origin of this recipe goes back as far as the nineteenth century.
Back in the 1840s, James Pimm was the proprietor of a popular London oyster bar. Pimm had been experimenting with creating the perfect drink to accompany his delicious wares. Soon enough, he crafted a concoction comprised of gin and a secretive mix of herbs, fruit and spices meant to complement the molluscs that he served. Originally called the “House Cup”, that particular tipple is known today as the Pimm’s Cup.
You’ve probably heard of this drink, even if you’ve never had the pleasure of imbibing one. The cocktail proved so popular after it started being served that James Pimm soon began to bottle the base liqueur (known as Pimm’s No. 1) and sell it to patrons, so they could enjoy it in the comfort of their own home. The Pimm’s Cup is such a well-known dram that it’s been reinvented and adapted into a plethora of different sippers over the years, most notably in New Orleans during the 1940s.
Our recipe here is closer to the N’awlins take on the drink, which is also a traditional cocktail at Wimbledon. Even if you aren’t eating oysters or enjoying a game of tennis, it’s a cocktail worthy of contemplation.
What Is The Best Alcohol To Use In A Pimm’s Cup?
For the classic Pimm’s Cup, there’s only one real choice: Pimm’s No. 1 – the original gin-based liqueur. Over the years there have been a total of six Pimm’s variations, each with a different type of alcohol as its base. Sadly most are discontinued but you may be able to track down a Pimm’s No. 3 if you fancy a brandy-infused concoction instead.
Ingredients
- 2 ounces Pimm’s No. 1
- Slices of cucumber, strawberries and an orange
- 3 ounces lemon-lime soda (like Sprite) or ginger ale
- Mint sprig to garnish
Instructions
- Pour the Pimm's No. 1 into a highball or collins glass.
- Add ice followed by slices of cucumber, strawberries, and orange.
- Pour in the soda (or ginger ale) until the glass is full.
- Stir it all together gently with a barspoon, garnish with a sprig of mint, and serve.
Nutrition
What Glassware and garnish are used?
A highball or collins glass will carry this cocktail, along with its ample garnishes of fruit and cucumber, with ease.
Should I only drink a Pimm’s Cup during the summer?
This is a popular beverage during the summer months, and a garden party favorite. But it doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy this at any time of the year. In colder climes, you can replace the lemon-lime soda or ginger ale with apple cider and a dash of cinnamon to warm up your innards.
Other British Cocktails To Try
If this Pimm’s Cup has whetted your appetite for more cocktails from across the pond then take a look at these other Twist and Toast recipes which all hail from the UK.
- Espresso Martini – A modern classic, invented in London by Dick Bradsell in the 1980s
- Vesper Martini – Created by Ian Fleming (author of the James Bond novels), supposedly inspired by trips to Duke’s Bar, near Piccadilly.
- Pornstar Martini – Invented in London in 2002 by Douglas Ankrah, inspired by a trip to South Africa.
- The Gimlet – A simple sipper, with naval connections, said to be named after British Rear-Admiral Sir Thomas Desmond Gimlette
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