Don't you just love those Pimm's adverts we've had on the TV for the last couple of years? Alexander Armstrong plays the upper class twit with the picnic hamper containing his Pimm's mixing kit. He encounters a variety of different groups including motorway protesters, prostitutes, farmer workers and rave DJ's and every advert ends with him crying "one of me - four of you - I make that Pimm's O'Clock".
** BUILDING UP A THIRST **
The Pimm's tradition is now as well established within British culture as cups of tea, cucumber sarnies and Chicken Tikka. At the first sign of a heatwave, all the supermarkets put Pimm's and punnets of strawberries on special offer. Pubs and bars chalk up their "specials" and start serving gallons of the stuff - usually in half pint mugs. I used to work at a racecourse and we always found that Pimm's (and champagne of course) was one of the essential ingredients to make the punter's day - even if they didn't get a winner. Evidently, 80,000 half pints are served at Wimbledon every year, closely trailed by race
meetings at Royal Ascot, Goodwood and boating at Henley.
** ISN'T IT A BIT EARLY FOR A DRINK? **
Pimm's No 1 Cup has been made in UK since 1840. James Pimm opened an Oyster Bar in the city of London where he served good food and a unique drink from his own recipe. He sold it in tankards and called it a "tonic to aid digestion", but essentially it is (and was) a gin based drink containing quinine and a secret mixture of herbs.
Later in the century he began to bottle and sell it commercially as Pimm's No 1 Cup. It quickly became fashionable with the upper and middle classes. The war years heralded a new market for Pimm's, as US servicemen posted to Britain began to drink it, finding it similar to some of the cocktails they drank back home in the States. After the Second World War, Pimm's extended their range, utilising a number of other spirits as bases for new "cups" :
- Pimm's No 2 cup was based on Scotch
- Pimm's No 3 cup was based on Brandy
- Pimm's No 4 cup was based on Rum
- Pimm's No 5 cup was based on Rye
- Pimm's No 6 cup was based on Vodka.
Today the only cups still in production are Pimm's No 1 (gin based), Pimm's No 3 (brandy based) and Pimm's No 6 (vodka based).
** IT REALLY MUST BE SIX O'CLOCK (SOMEWHERE IN THE WORLD) **
The Pimm's of today is still based on the original 1840 recipe and it remains a closely guarded secret only known by six people.
It's sold in a clear glass bottle so you can see the amber brown liquid within. It has a white, gold and red label around its middle and the very distinctive Pimm's logo in large capital red letters. Each bottle has a white screw top - again bearing the familiar red Pimm's logo on it. All the Pimm's products bear the printed autograph of its inventor James Pimm on both the label and lid.
~ Pimm's No 1 (gin based) ~
70cl of Pimm's No 1 = £11.99
1 litre of Pimm's No 1 = £15.99
And if you're feeling lazy or going on a picnic you can now buy pre-mixed Pimm's No 1 in can form:
250ml can = £1.49
Four pack of 250cl cans = £5.79
** THE BAR IS NOW OPEN FOR REFRESHMENTS **
Please note that Pimm's tastes fairly revolting on it's own and is always best served diluted with either lemonade, ginger ale or tonic. Recommended serving is 1 part Pimm's to 3 parts lemonade, ginger ale or tonic water. Its best served in a tall glass or half pint mug, so that it makes a nice long refreshing drink.
In my book the best way to serve Pimm's is as follows:
- Grab hold of a large jug and about six long glasses
- Slosh some Pimm's in the bottom of the jug
- Chop up a lemon, apple and orange into slices (or strawberries if you're feeling extravagant)
- Peel some rind off a cucumber and pick some sprigs of Mint or Borage
- Throw all the fruit and herbs into the undiluted Pimm's
- Top the jug up with lemonade, tonic water or ginger ale - roughly 3 parts to 1 part Pimm's - but depending on how strong you want it
- Add ice cubes and then pour into glasses
- Serve with a straw and a cocktail stirrer (so that you can fish out the fruit and eat it)
I won't bore you with a load of alternative recipes, but if you're interested then go to www.andys-scribblings.co.uk as there are more than a few to choose from.....
** JUST A SMALL SNIFTER THEN **
It has an interesting smell - sweet and syrupy. I cannot make out any discernable gin smell nor does it have a strong alcholic odour. Undiluted Pimm's is a rich amber brown colour.
Once you add the mixer (be it lemonade, ginger ale or tonic), a satisfying layer of pale cream froth appears at the top of the glass. Once diluted the Pimm's becomes a paler golden brown colour. It has a very fruity taste and you really cannot taste the gin (unless you make it as strong as paint stripper). It's an extremely refreshing drink and one (or three) slip down a treat on a lazy summer afternoon. However, one word of warning - although it tastes like a fruit punch, it is surprisingly strong (25% vol) and one too many can lead to a very snoozy summer evening.
One 70cl bottle will give you approximately 28 glasses of Pimm's or 14 glasses if you serve doubles.
** ANOTHER? DON'T MIND IF I DO**
Pimm's No 1 is made and produced in Great Britain. United Distillers and Vintners UK Ltd distribute it. It can be bought at most off licences and supermarkets nowadays.
Pimm's Spirit Drinks
Office 30
78 Marylebone High Street
London
W1U 5AP
Email: response@pimmsinfo.com
Website: www.anyoneforpimms.com
** JUST ONE MORE FOR THE ROAD **
I don't drink much alcohol, as I don't like really the taste. However, I always make an exception if someone is making a jug of Pimm's. It's extremely moorish - you can never have just one glass. It's surprisingly deceptive, as it doesn't really taste alcoholic - more like a fruit cup. However, believe you me, it is surprisingly potent (about 25% vol) and to quote Monty Python "it has a kick on it like a mule".
It might be expensive but it's a quality and unique product. I give it a full five stars for its originality, delicious taste and history. Cheers and lets raise a glass in honour of this good old British tradition. Thanks for reading - hic.
Pictures of Pimm's No.1 Cup Liqueur
by (13%):
by (2%):
10.04.2009 12:28
I'm yet to try this...I may do over the summer though if it's very refreshing : ) Eleanor x
29.08.2005 14:08
I have never tried this, maybe one day I will.
11.08.2005 13:38
Fantastic review, well deserved E. You get alot of reads dont you will read and comment on more of your reviews, get the feeling I will enjoy!!! Nereesa xxx