Friday, July 10, 2009

Pimm’s (is) No. 1

Pimm’s No. 1 Cup is the popular British liquor behind the iconic Pimm’s Cup cocktail served at stodgy events such as Wimbledon. In the bottle, the liquor shines with such an otherworldly shade of dark ruby red that one immediately wonders “What is this stuff distilled from?” Unfortunately, the label primly refuses to divulge this secret leaving curious drinkers to consult the Internet to discover that Pimm’s No. 1 Cup is primarily gin and a proprietary blend of herbs.

[caption id="attachment_2848" align="aligncenter" width="300" caption="Pimm's Bottle courtesy of flikr user teamperks."]Pimm's Bottle courtesy of flikr user teamperks.[/caption]

In other words, it is a relative of Campari, a bracing apertif concocted from innumerable herbs and aromatics, which is enjoying a renaissance in serious bars. Understandably, the bitterness of Campari and its signature cocktail, the Negroni, make it a perfect ideological fit for the edgy bartenders and loyal denizens of subterranean cocktail lounges seeking to escape too many years of appletinis and cosmos.

Pimm’s, traditionally served with lemonade and fruit, requires a far less contemplative setting.

[caption id="attachment_2849" align="aligncenter" width="300" caption="Pimm's Cup courtesy of flikr user {dvc}."]Pimm's Cup courtesy of flikr user {dvc}.[/caption]

So as summer peaks, I urge all devotees of Campari and its bitter ilk to enjoy the sun and remember their fun loving cousin – Pimm’s.

What's your favorite Pimm's cocktail?

Pimm’s Cup: 1 part Pimm’s No.1 Cup, 1 part lemonade, 1 part club soda. Garnish generously with apples, nectarines, limes, oranges and/or watermelon.

1 comment:

  1. Try it with real gingerale - even better than lemonade. Then put on your sunhat and spend the day lazily watch some amateur cricket (with a good book in hand)...

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