Pimm's
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Pimm's is a brand of alcoholic beverages now owned by Diageo. Its most popular product is Pimm's №1, a gin-based beverage that can be served both on ice or in cocktails. The recipe of Pimm's №1 is secret; it has a dark tea colour with a reddish tint, and tastes subtly of spice and citrus fruit. A close approximation to Pimm's №1 can be prepared by mixing one measure of gin with one measure of red vermouth and half a measure of triple sec, although this will lack the spices that give Pimm's its distinctive flavour.
Pimm's is especially popular in some parts of Britain, particularly Southern England, where it has an important place in popular drinking culture. It is normally regarded as a summer drink, ideal for picnics, garden parties, or for spending an afternoon in the pub. It is also popular for serving at summer sporting events, such as rowing regattas, tennis tournaments or cricket matches.
Pimm's №1 is also the essential ingredient in the Pimm's Cup, which mixes one part Pimm's №1 with two parts lemonade or lemon soda (sometimes ginger ale or Indian tonic water), ice cubes, borage leaves (nowadays a wedge of cucumber is usually substituted for this ingredient), mint leaves and slices of lemon, orange and apple.
There are five other Pimm's products besides №1. The essential difference among them is the base alcohol used to produce them:
- Pimm's No.1 Cup is based on gin. It is 25% alcohol (50-proof) by volume.
- Pimm's No.2 Cup was based on whisky. Currently phased out.
- Pimm's No.3 Cup is based on brandy. Though phased out, a version infused with spices and orange peel marketed as Pimm's Winter Cup is now seasonally available.
- Pimm's No.4 Cup was based on rum. Currently phased out.
- Pimm's No.5 Cup was based on rye. Currently phased out.
- Pimm's No.6 Cup is based on vodka. It is still produced, but in small quantities.
Pimm's No.1 can also be purchased as a pre-mixed fortified lemonade (Pimm's & Lemonade) in 250 mL cans or 1-liter bottles.
[edit] History and culture
Pimm's was invented in 1823, by James Pimm, a farmer's son from Kent who became the owner of an oyster bar in the City of London. Pimm offered the tonic, (a gin-based drink containing quinine and a secret mixture of herbs) as an aid to digestion, serving it in a small tankard known as a '№1 Cup', hence its subsequent name. Pimm's began large-scale production in 1851 to keep up with sales to other bars. The distillery began selling it commercially in 1859 using hawkers on bicycles and a chain of Pimm's Oyster Houses was franchised in 1887.
Pimm's later extended their range, utilising a number of other spirits as bases for new 'cups'. In the 1850s Pimm's No 2 and Pimm's No 3 were introduced. After the Second World War, Pimm's No 4 was invented, followed by Pimm's No 5 and Pimm's No 6 in the 1960s. In 1946, the corks were replaced by twist-off bottle caps.
The brand fell on hard times in the 1970s and 1980s. The Oyster House chain was sold and Pimm's Cups products Nos 2 through 5 were phased out in the 1980s due to reduced demand. In 2006, Pimm's reintroduced Pimm's Winter Cup, which consists of Pimms No 3 (the brandy variant) infused with spices and orange peel. In 2006 the Pimm's Company brand was bought by Diageo.
[edit] Trivia
- Pimm's is credited as the inspiration for the name of the title character in the Pirate Pimm films.
- The Pimm's Cup cocktail is advertised as the specialty drink of Napoleon House, a bar found in the French Quarter in New Orleans, Louisiana.
