Pimm's #1

[evo-lution]

The abv dropped to 25% a couple of years after Diageo took over which would've (obviously) been related to cost in the UK due to the way that alcohol is taxed. Whether it was 40%abv when it was first bottled I'll never know but I guess that was to keep it in line with other spirits?

I believe I kind of said as much (when I pointed out that no one would use one of today's RTDs as an ingredient), but at the same time, I also see Erik's point that anything in a bottle was usually fair game in the quest for new cocktail ideas.

I said that in the post prior to yours. Those were different times where fruit cups (in this case James Pimm's No. 1 Cup) were very well known, I guess it would have been strange to use a pre-bottled drink as an ingredient in another (I'm still trying to ascertain exactly when they started bottling the No. 1 Cup). I don't really understand why that's odd to some.

As for the history of Pimm's that's not in question. If that's where the query stems from then it's a strange one.

Having said that, a Pimm's No. 1 Cup seems to be a kind of recursive cocktail, doesn't it?

"So, how do I make a Pimm's No. 1 Cup, then?"

"Well, first take 1.5 oz of Pimm's No. 1 Cup."

"Wait, what???"

No. 1 Cup was the original drink name, made by James Pimm. The Pimm's branding would've followed, likely due to the success of his drink (given the fact that it was then bottled for consistency when sold in other bars - James Pimm worked in an Oyster house if I remember right) and the fact that fruit cups were a big deal in early-to-mid 1800s Britain.

By what I've read it seems the original (No. 1 Cup) was made using gin, wine, liqueur/s and botanicals (quinine for one and I imagine various spices).

Bottled Pimm's is just that in a bottle. Hence the RTD reference. Add mixer, garnish and you're good to go.

Edited June 17, 2011 by evo-lution (log)

[brinza]

I said that in the post prior to yours.

And I was just agreeing with you, but it seemed like you didn't think I was. And I was joking about the recursive thing, mostly.

Anyway, Pimm's all 'round, then.

[thirtyoneknots]

I heard a rumor recently that the entire lineup of Pimms products are slated for US (re-)release in the not-too-distant future. Same source spoke of their being Pimm's Nos 1-7, I was previously only aware of 6. Anybody in a position to confirm or refute any of this?

[Frederic]

I even looked through the UK Bartender's Guild "Approved Cocktails" circa the mid 1930s, when Harry Craddock was president, figuring Pimm's would have to be mentioned.

But the only mention is in the Glossary, where it says, "Pimm's No. 1 Cup.--This is claimed by the manufacturers to be the original Gin Sling."

I do not recall it in Approved, but in the 1934 UK 1,700 Cocktails for the Man Behind the Bar, I did spot a few Pimms drinks including the Pimmeron.

I found this thread in hopes that any one had information to the cities & dates on the front of the label. there are 14 including two American cities (Chicago & New Orleans) that fall within the years of Prohibition (190, 1925). Any clue what these cities and dates mean?

[FrogPrincesse]

I made this Pimm's Cup a few days ago.

2 oz Pimm's No. 1 cup

6 oz homemade ginger beer

borage garnish

Very refreshing. It was my first time using borage and I liked it (despite it being very hairy!).

[FrogPrincesse]

Last night I tried the Three Seasons (Toby Maloney, via Bartender's Choice).

Gin, Pimm's No. 1, lemon, lime, and orange wedges, cucumber, mint, strawberry, soda, borage (my addition).

LOTS of fruit in the glass, which was fun. Light and refreshing.

[FrogPrincesse]

It's been a while...

 

This one was an occasion to use a few bottles that were gathering dust, for a Manhattan-like result.

Do-Right (Jared Fischer via Gaz Regan) with Crown Royal, Pimm's No. 1 Cup, Luxardo cherry liqueur, Regan's orange bitters.

 

 

 

[lindag]

I got a bottle of Pim's to make a cocktail with gin and lemonade; not something I cared for, however.  Now what to do with the rest of he bottle?  Any ideas?

[blue_dolphin]

14 minutes ago, lindag said:

I got a bottle of Pim's to make a cocktail with gin and lemonade; not something I cared for, however.  Now what to do with the rest of he bottle?  Any ideas?

 

There's a topic for it here.  Some is discussion of making a DYI Pimm's substitute but there's quite a bit of cocktail discussion as well. 

[Katie Meadow]

Aggrieved by  my daughter's low liquor supply we went out the other day and bought gin, tonic and Carpano Antica. It's very very hot here in Atlanta. I wanted a Porch Swing, but apparently the east coast is suffering from shipping issues when it comes to Pimm's. 

[blue_dolphin]

12 minutes ago, Katie Meadow said:

Aggrieved by  my daughter's low liquor supply we went out the other day and bought gin, tonic and Carpano Antica. It's very very hot here in Atlanta. I wanted a Porch Swing, but apparently the east coast is suffering from shipping issues when it comes to Pimm's. 

 

I'm sorry you weren't able to get the Pimm's but glad you posted.  When @lindag asked for suggestions for using her bottle of Pimm's yesterday, I knew I'd recently heard of something I wanted to try but couldn't remember what or where! 

@lindag, here's a link to the Porch Swing cocktail recipe on Deb Perelman's website. I have no Pimm's at the moment but the cocktail sounds nice and my Total Wine has it in stock.

[lindag]

I t

21 minutes ago, blue_dolphin said:

 

I'm sorry you weren't able to get the Pimm's but glad you posted.  When @lindag asked for suggestions for using her bottle of Pimm's yesterday, I knew I'd recently heard of something I wanted to try but couldn't remember what or where! 

@lindag, here's a link to the Porch Swing cocktail recipe on Deb Perelman's website. I have no Pimm's at the moment but the cocktail sounds nice and my Total Wine has it in stock.

I tried the Porch Swing and was disappointed with it.

I needed something more, but I don't really have any idea what it would be.

[FrogPrincesse]

2 hours ago, lindag said:

I tried the Porch Swing and was disappointed with it.

I needed something more, but I don't really have any idea what it would be.

Use different types of citrus (lime, lemon, orange - use wedges to extract the juice, rather than making lemonade), other fruit/ strawberry, etc, and some mint. See Toby Maloney’s Three Seasons. Or top with ginger beer.

 

 

[Katie Meadow]

5 hours ago, lindag said:

It's hard to go wrong with a G&T.

I dunno about that. I had a lousy one this evening at a pricey restaurant in Atlanta. A rather weird tasting gin and a wimpy tonic. No muddled lime and no mint, just a shrimpy wedge of lime on the rim. My husband makes a really good G&T.

 

As for the Porch Swing, before last month I thought they were made with bourbon, which I don't care for. But a few weeks ago at a wonderful converted farmhouse in Becket MA called the Dream Away Lodge I had one made with gin. They must have had  the very last bottle of Pimm's on the east coast. As soon as I get back to CA I'm going to pick up a bottle and I'll be in business. Recipes vary widely when it comes to the splash of soda. Some say ginger ale is good, which I do keep in stock. I find 7-Up too sweet.