Something Other Than Wine? Pimm’s, Please…

Whether it is meeting friends after work or entertaining guests by the garden, wine will always have its place. As I mentioned a few weeks ago, a glass of chardonnay can always be a refreshing change of pace from that usual red, especially during warmer weather. And surely, mojitos, margaritas and other mixed drinks will please one’s company, but sometimes you’ll find yourself wanting “something else.” So this week, I decided to broaden the scope of this column and introduce to some, and remind others of a wonderful summer treat: Pimm’s No. 1 Cup. This is the perfect summer drink to give that next social gathering some out-of-the-ordinary flavor.

I am not telling anyone to put away the wine. In fact, I encourage you to bring out a flavorful red. I think a bottle of Pimm’s compliments a wine gathering quite nicely, and you can even serve it in a sangria-type fashion. A Pimm’s cocktail, or rather a pitcher of a Pimm’s concoction would serve as a great way to break the afternoon heat before opening that first bottle of wine.

Pimm’s was created by James Pimm in 1829 and soon became the “house cup” at his oyster bar in London. What is available to us today is called Pimm’s No. 1 Cup. This is based off the original Pimm’s recipe and is a gin-based liqueur said to contain quinine, fruit extracts, and herbal blends. However, the company boasts the secrecy of the actual recipe. I know no substitute.

Throughout the past 180 years, Pimm’s tried using different alcohol bases with their recipes, hence the “No. 1.” Although they are no longer available, scotch and brandy—among others—also served as bases for their beverage line. Currently, a winter seasonal is reported to make its rounds come that time of year, though I have yet to see it.

If the idea of a gin-based liqueur does not sound appealing, but hear me out. It does not taste like your typical gin drink—it is much more palatable. In fact, it was gin’s lack of slow-drink quality that led to the creation of this tonic; it is even very easy to enjoy a glass of Pimm’s on the rocks—it is only 25% abv, which is almost half that of normal gin.

I prefer my Pimm’s as a mixer, though, and there are plenty of recipes for this liqueur. You can even find a short list of recipes on their official website, including the Pimm’s-styled sangria I mentioned earlier. But let me offer you the recipe my friends and I prefer because even the recipe on the label is not quite right if you want the fullest experience with your bottle.

You will need the following things: 1 bottle of Pimm’s No. 1 Cup (about $15), ginger ale, fresh cucumber, fresh mint, fresh lemon and ice. I use near-equal amounts of Pimm’s and ginger ale and adjust to taste if necessary. The trick is to finely chop and mash the cucumber, also to taste, but this is the key ingredient—combine the cucumber juice and pulp with the mix and pour over ice. Lastly, garnish it with freshly ripped mint and a spritz of lemon. It kind of feels like a fancy iced tea of sorts. I’ve never met someone who has tried and disliked this drink. I am only uncertain as to its availability, but I imagine the better bars and restaurants will have a bottle of Pimm’s on hand. I know I do.