Serious Cocktails: Pining for Pimm's
Last weekend, while tending bar at a private party near Seattle, I placed a drink on the menu that ultimately brought me much dismay. Not because of the quality of the drink; no, this is a venerable and world-class summer refresher. Rather, my dismay was prompted by the ho-hum approach many guests had toward the drink. "This stuff," the host said sympathetically at one point, holding the bottle of Pimm’s No. 1 Cup in his hand and shaking his head, “this stuff is so unappreciated.”
By many people, perhaps, including the guests at that party; but as Jonathan Miles noted in Sunday’s New York Times, the fan base for Pimm’s may be narrow but it is deep.
A gin-based spirit flavored with herbs and fruit, Pimm’s is akin to a bottled punch. First introduced nearly 200 years ago, Pimm’s was at one point produced in six varieties, each with a different base spirit. Today only Pimm’s No. 1 remains in wide production; Pimm’s Winter Cup, based on brandy, is seasonably available in the UK.
Lightened with a little sparkling lemonade or ginger beer, and dressed up with a slice of cucumber or a strawberry and maybe some other summer-appropriate garnish, Pimm’s is inordinately refreshing. This eponymous Pimm's Cup is a staple drink at Wimbledon and enjoys certain popularity in the UK; but while Pimm’s couldn't be described as rare in the U.S., it also isn't quite common.
That Pimm’s is usually enjoyed only in a Pimm’s Cup could be a big reason for its limited appeal. Fortunately, as Miles writes, bartenders are exploring different ways of mixing this underappreciated spirit. At Nios in Times Square, Pimm’s is mixed with red zinfandel and ginger beer in a Zin Cup, and other bartenders are mixing it with everything from apple cider to the rum-based Creole Shrubb to blanco tequila and Irish whiskey.
Miles had good luck finding a decent Pimm's Cup on a hot day in Charleston, and in New Orleans—where I’ll be in two weeks for the annual Tales of the Cocktail event—I make it a habit to fight the heat outside by sipping icy Pimm’s Cups in the Napoleon House. Are you a fan of Pimm’s, and if so, who serves your favorite cup of satisfaction? Let us know.
About the author: Paul Clarke blogs about cocktails at The Cocktail Chronicles and writes regularly on spirits and cocktails for Imbibe magazine. He lives in Seattle, where he works as a writer and magazine editor.
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23 Comments:
I am a huge fan of the Pimm's Cup, thanks to some European friends. Finding one here in Boston is just as difficult as finding an Aperol Spritz, an equally refreshing summer drink.
MariaVII at 3:45PM on 06/24/09
I haven't seen or thought of Pimm's in years! Pimm's Cup. Yep. Love it!!!
arm1970 at 3:51PM on 06/24/09
I love the Pimm's Cup, and always say it with a ridiculous British accent! Even more fun!
rachelbeth at 4:03PM on 06/24/09
Rouge Tomate in NYC makes a really delicious cucumber drink with Pimms.
laurelie at 4:13PM on 06/24/09
This takes me back to the 60's, when I first tasted Pimm's Cup as a young kid. Not kidding! It was just a sip though, and it tasted awful to me, of course.
For some reason my dad got a taste for the stuff--how I don't know, he was just a working-class guy and so were all his friends--and he would mix it with 7-up or some other "white" soda.
Just the thought of it brings back memories of childhood summers. I think I tried it as an adult, and still didn't like it....but maybe I should give it one more chance.
Thanks for the memories!
Barbd at 4:16PM on 06/24/09
Café des Artistes has a great Pimm's drink too. I think it's called the Tarzen or something. Made with fresh, mixed berries. Yum!
jordyw at 4:23PM on 06/24/09
The saying here in jolly ol' is "(crikey) it's Pimm's o'clock!" Very popular here, you can even get a tshirt that says that.
If you want to be authentically English, you say Pimm's and lemonade (which is more like 7up and Sprite), or simply Pimm's, not Pimm's cup.
london_janice at 4:30PM on 06/24/09
Oooh Pimm's Cup at Napoleon House, you helped me survive many a hangover in the crushing New Orleans heat.
erancili at 4:32PM on 06/24/09
PIMMS...in our liquor control state its unavailiable, so at my bar we make our own, affectionately called PIMMSIES...try 2 parts gin, 2 parts sweet vermouth, and 1 part orange curacao...mmmm...fools the most die hard fans.
StBernard at 4:36PM on 06/24/09
We encountered a very veggie-centric Pimm's Cup while on vacation in Maine. We spent a few nights in Damariscotta, and ended up at King Eider's Pub. Not only was the food there quite surprising, but the bar was very well equipped. After hearing the bartender gripe about how complicated their Pimm's Cup was to make we couldn't help but order one... :)
grahams at 4:41PM on 06/24/09
Napolen House in New Orleans the Pimm's Cup is awesome.
chazmo at 4:59PM on 06/24/09
I had my first one in Colonial Williamsburg and have been hooked ever sense. To me the cucumber seals it!
GretchinF at 7:26PM on 06/24/09
they'll serve you a pitcher of pimm's cup with mint and strawberries at the Darlo Bar in Sydney. a perfect way to spend an afternoon.
andshewas at 9:11PM on 06/24/09
My mom loves a good classic Pimm's Cup, but I am more partial to a Porch Swing, a drink invented at Blue Smoke that I read about the recipe online.
The Porch Swing:
1/2 oz. Hendrick's gin
1/2 oz. Pimm's No. 1
4 oz. homemade lemonade
Add a splash of 7-Up
Finish with finely sliced half-moon cucumbers
alex at kitchenlife at 11:01PM on 06/24/09
I tried introducing some Alaskans to Pimm's here two weeks ago - no dice. But it's amazing.
I also happen to love the Pimm's Royale - swap champagne in for the lemonade.
shoneyjoe at 12:59AM on 06/25/09
I don't care for the stuff myself, but the wife likes it.
A good dash of Pimm's, fizzy lemonade, chopped cucumber, lemon wedge, strawberries and mint leaves.
NotAmerican at 2:55AM on 06/25/09
Here in the UK we now get Winter Pimms which is slightly spicy and you drink it with warm apple juice - all year round Pimms fun for all!
PeckhamEater at 11:29AM on 06/25/09
Please tell me where I can get Pimms in Seattle. I've been looking everywhere!
tanaya at 1:26PM on 06/25/09
When I studied abroad in England, I used to drink this all the time! Anytime I see it in a liquor store in the US, I buy it! It taskes great with ginger ale and a squeeze of lemon juice.
eataholic at 2:41PM on 06/25/09
The thought of Pimms and Creole Shrubb is quite intriguing. That could almost be a Serious Cocktails post in itself.
Gunth at 8:49AM on 06/26/09
tanaya...the state liquor store at U-Village has Pimms.
JeriL at 1:01AM on 06/27/09
I am a true Pimm's Cup devotee. I've only seen it on offer in one Indian restaurant I frequented on a business trip in downtown San Francisco. That was thirty years ago and I have long ago forgotten the name of the restaurant but not their food or drink. I wonder if anyone knows which establishment I am talking about. Seems in was down in a basement setting...
I ramble, over the years I have maintained my love affair whenever I would find Pimm's in our local state liquor store; a rare occasion (Seattle). From my perspective, it is more refreshing and appropriate for hot summer days than a Mint Julip. Now my southern ancestors are spinning in their graves.
czken at 6:19AM on 06/28/09
From the horse country of Virginia I would like to add that Pimms makes the scene at many a race and polo match, as it should, of course. I love to take a couple of bottles along for a full afternoon of races, and believe me everyone who stops by leaves smiling. My recipe involves making my own sour mix of simple syrup, lemon AND lime juices, then pouring in a bit of that for each drink, add the Pimms, top with soda water, stir with the cuke. YUM.
Will be trying out adding mint and strawberries soon, sounds wonderful.
Gordo810 at 12:08PM on 07/01/09