by Addie K. Martin of Culicurious

While the Pimm’s Cup is a highly popular drink here in New Orleans, it didn’t originate here. We may have given it an expanded market, but we did not invent it. No, that was done long ago, across the pond in London, in the early 1800’s. The Pimm’s Cup is actually still widely consumed in England, especially in the summer at the annual Wimbledon Tennis tournament.

When closely examined, it becomes clear that the Pimm’s Cup’s connection to New Orleans is actually quite recent in the grand scheme of things. The Pimm’s Cup made its way to New Orleans via the Napoleon House, a large and looming French Quarter restaurant and bar. It’s debut came in the 1950’s when owner Sal Impastato’s father introduced it as a light libation for bar patrons. According a 2012 NYTimes interview with Mr. Impastato, even though his father was in the bar business, he wasn’t interested in his patrons getting hammered. He preferred them to leave in a more lucid state. That’s quite gentlemanly of him, and that also seems par for the course in the 1950’s.

Photo courtesy of amy jett, lover of the Pimm’s Cup.

But wait, let’s just back up a little bit here and talk more about Pimm’s No. 1, the base of said Pimm’s Cup. Some of you more experienced and exotic drinkers may know about Pimm’s No. 1 already, but I’m willing to bet it’s not known by everyone. So let’s get the rest of the class up to speed on the delicious subject of Pimm’s No. 1. First, let’s clear that it’s called Pimm’s No. 1 for a reason. It’s certainly not the only type of Pimm’s ever created or still produced, but it was the first created and is still, by far, the most popular variety of Pimm’s on the market. In all, there were actually six official iterations of Pimm’s, and each version had a different spirit as the base. Most have come and gone, but the No. 1 still lives on strong.

When Pimm’s No. 1 made its debut in the early 1800’s, it was touted as a digestive aid. It was served in a tankard (a large, handled mug, similar to a beer stein), which earned it the name “No. 1 Cup.” And with that, the Pimm’s Cup was born. The famed Pimm’s No. 1 is a tea-colored liqueur made of gin and a special mix of herbs and spices. Even though it’s gin-based, it’s a mild, mellow tasting liqueur. It’s best when mixed with other ingredients like a carbonated liquid (think soda), citrus (typically lemon) and fresh fruit.

According to the Pimm’s site, the “Pimm’s Original” cocktail is the equivalent of what we call still call a Pimm’s Cup here state-side. The official Pimm’s recipe for it is a mixture of Pimm’s No. 1, lemonade and garnishes of mint, strawberry and orange and cucumber. But the lemonade used in England is not the lemonade we think of here in the states. English-style lemonade is typically clear and carbonated, closer to a “soda” than a “juice” like we do here.

Here in New Orleans, you most often get a Pimm’s Cup with Pimm’s No. 1, American-style lemonade, and lemon-lime soda (or ginger ale) with a cucumber garnish. Some fancier places like the Carousel Bar in the Hotel Monteleone on Royal Street will put mint and strawberry in for garnish as well. According to their website, The Napoleon House, who gave New Orleans it’s first delicious swill of this heavenly elixir, uses Pimm’s #1, lemonade and 7-Up, and they garnish with a cucumber slice. They also serve it in a tall glass. At the Monteleone, though, it’s served in a highball glass. Since this isn’t an official IBA cocktail, it has no formal designated glassware or recipe for that matter. A tall glass is the most common way I’ve seen it served and it seems to work well for the drink because it typically contains quite a bit of ice.

Next time you’re here in New Orleans, especially in the summer time, grab a Pimm’s Cup for a cool, light, refreshing treat. I’ve included a list of top recommendations:

French Quarter:

• Napoleon House
• Hotel Monteleone’s Carousel Bar
• Ritz-Carlton Hotel
• Kingfish
• St. Lawrence - their specialty is a Pimm’s Cup daiquiri that’s to die for!

Uptown:

• Bridge Lounge
• Columns Hotel
• Cure
• Dante’s Kitchen

Make Your Own Pimm’s Cup:

recipe by Addie K Martin

Serves 1

Light and refreshing, the Pimm's Cup is a timeless classic cocktail!