the pimms cup cocktail : cocktails in context
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Today begins our celebration of all things New Orleans cocktails, as we prepare for Mardi Gras on March 1st! Did you know that Mardi Gras is actually the end of carnival season in New Orleans, and that it starts early in the year? That means that the perfect time to break out all things celebratory! This fizzy, herbal, sweet, and tart sipper that leans on the mysterious Pimms no. 1 is the perfect warm-weather drink. So whether you are experiencing an unseasonably warm February like we are, or whether you are battling frigid temps by dreaming of the next time you can stroll the French Quarter, it is the perfect time for a Pimm’s Cup.
The Pimms Cup
I hate to brag, but honestly, the weather has been great in Vegas this week! While it may seem like the weather here is always great, winters can be windy and cold, and a week of 75 degree weather is very welcome. While I’ve been spending these beautiful days at work and not walking around vibrant city streets, it brought a lot of joy. Throwing together a Pimm’s cup was the absolute perfect thing to do to get us excited about carnival season.
About the Pimms Cup cocktail
I first tried the Pimm’s Cup in New Orleans, where it is one of the quintessential cocktails, but it is actually from England. The other sunshine-filled event that is closely associated with this easy sipping summer cocktail is Wimbledon, which I have never been to! I can see how it is a perfect fit though. The edges of the spicy, savory pimm’s filled with mysterious herbs are eased by cucumber, strawberries, lemon juice, and soda. It’s also a digestive aid so whether you are watching exceptional athletes at the height of their game or bar-hopping in the Big Easy, you won’t end the day with an upset stomach!
The fun, fruit-filled nature of this cocktail means it can be adapted in endless ways. Throw some seasonal fruits and herbs in, or even get wild by mixing the Pimms no. 1 with another spirit like tequila, rum, or whiskey for more variety in your Pimm’s cup.
History of the Pimm’s cup in New Orleans
The Pimm’s cup was brought across the Atlantic and made famous at The Napoleon House bar in the French Quarter in the late 1940s. Lore says that it was chosen for its refreshing nature and its low abv, so that folks who were drinking all day would have a better chance of staying afloat. Honestly, both of those traits make it seem like perfect for Vegas as well, and I’m sure I’ll revisit it this summer when I will be desperate for some cool air! I wonder if it will ever catch on on the strip? In New Orleans the Pimm’s cup is commonly prepared with one-part Pimm’s No. 1, three-parts lemonade, a splash of 7up and a cucumber garnish.
History of the Pimm’s cup in England
In fact, 320,000 Pimm’s cups are consumed during the two weeks of Wimbledon. Often sold in charming red and white bars, this sports event-cocktail connection is similar to how the Kentucky Derby and the Mint Julep are so deeply tied in the States (check out my peppermint julep here!). In England, the Pimm’s Cup is commonly prepared with Pimm’s, lemon juice, and sparkling lemonade (which is similar to lemon-lime soda).
What is Pimm’s no. 1?
James Pimm created Pimm’s no. 1, a gin-based liqueur, at his London oyster bar in the mid-1800’s. This 25% abv liqueur can be served over ice or in cocktails, it has a reddish amber hue and a citrusy, spicy, fruity, flavor. In fact, Pimm didn’t stop with gin - he made a few other Pimm’s with other bases such as vodka, whiskey, brandy, and more, named Pimm’s no. 2, no. 3…..all the way up to no. 6! You can still get no.6 with vodka base, but the gin centered Pimm’s no. 1 is the most common by far. It has secret herbs and spices that only a few people on earth know, and has a bit of creative business saavy to it’s backstory. When Pimm opened his oyster bar, his license to distill and sell booze was not granted immediately, and he had to work pretty hard to get a license eventually. Even when it was eventually granted, it was insisted that his oyster bar was not allowed to become not become a booze-centered business. So, Pimm decided to create a “digestive aid for his oysters” instead, thus leading to the creative and unique mix of flavors enjoyed by so many today. Pimm’s was purchased by Diageo in 2006 and they launched the great marketing campaign that led to Pimm’s being synonymous with Wimbledon!
Image courtesy of Ewan Munro via Wikimedia
Should you use lemon soda or ginger beer in a Pimms cup?
It’s common to use both sparkling lemonade or ginger beer, but they make a pretty different cocktail. Ginger beer makes a spicier, less bright version. I recommend San pellegrino limonata for the lemon route and Bundaberg or Fever Tree for the ginger route!
How to make the pimms cup
Grab a highball glass and gently press cucumber against the sides of the glass with a bar spoon to release the flavor. Fill the glass with ice, pour your Pimms no. 1 in, and throw in some strawberries, thin lemon slices, and whatever else you’re using! Add the lemon juice, top with sparkling lemonade or ginger beer, and garnish with mint, basil, or whatever other herbs you have around! I used basil this time, because the mint wasn’t looking too hot at Trader Joe’s this week, but you can get creative!
So there you have it! The perfect cocktail to start celebrating carnival, to grab for a picnic, or to batch for a bbq. What are your favorite New Orleans cocktails? How do you look forward to warmer days during the cold of winter? Let me know in the comments below! And be sure to tag us on Instagram @ kindred.spirits.cocktails if you try it!
pimm’s cup recipe
the pimm's cup
Ingredients
- 2 oz Pimm's no. 1 liqueur
- 3 ounces sparkling lemonade or citrus soda
- ½ ounce freshly squeezed lemon juice
- Sliced or strips of cucumbers
- Thin lemon slices
- Cucumber slices, strawberry slices, lemon slices, mint leaves, basil leaves for garnish
Instructions
- Grab a highball glass and gently press cucumber against the sides of the glass with a bar spoon to release the flavor.
- Fill the glass with ice and pour in the Pimms no. 1
- Throw in some strawberries, lemon slices, and whatever else you’re using!
- Add the lemon juice and top with sparkling lemonade or ginger beer
- Garnish with mint, basil, or whatever other herbs you have around!
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