It’s as British as Fish and Chips and it’s time to get acquainted with the legendary drink, Pimm’s Cup! Invented in the early 1820s by an oyster bar owner in London, England, Pimm’s Cup has had a long, hazy, boozy history that has luckily seen it grow into a timeless treat.

What Exactly Is Pimm’s Cup?

For those of you who don’t know, Pimm’s Cup is a gin-based fruit cup made with a variety of herbs, spices and fruit juices. The rather smooth and refreshing drink is traditionally served as a summer sip, with crushed ice and a slice of orange, ready to be enjoyed in great British beer gardens across the country. Pimm’s Cup can also be recreated at home for fun nights in!

The Origin Of Pimm’s Cup

The drink we now love and know as Pimm’s Cup was actually invented by James Pimm, the owner of an oyster bar in London, England, in the early 1820s. According to Pimm, his special concoction was intended to act as a digestive, which could be consumed at the end of meals.

Known originally as the “House of Pimm’s”, the original recipe Pimm concocted was a dark golden spirit called Pimm’s No. 1. It consisted of gin infused with fruit extracts, herbs and spices, and was designed to be drunk neat or as a cocktail. While Pimm sold a number of other “House of Pimm’s” drinks, including a gin, brandy, whiskey, rum and port version, it was only Pimm’s No. 1 that became popular.

The Evolution Of Pimm’s Cup

By the mid-19th century, Pimm’s No. 1 had become an integral part of British tavern life, with customers drinking it neat or in cocktails. One of the most popular of these cocktails was Pimm’s Cup, which was made with a generous measure of Pimm’s No. 1, with added lemon or lime juice, fresh fruit and carbonated water, either ginger ale or lemonade.

By the 20th century, Pimm’s Cup had evolved into the refreshing, seasonal bevvy we know and love today. Although the recipe may have changed over the years, the essence remains the same – Pimm’s Cup is still seen as a refreshing, delicious and timeless quencher.

How To Make Your Own Pimm’s Cup At Home

Making a Pimm’s Cup at home is incredibly easy, and all you need is some Pimm’s No. 1, various fruits and herbal fruits, ice and some form of citrus flavoured carbonated drink. Here is a classic Pimm’s Cup recipe courtesy of The Spruce Eats that you can follow at home:

“Ingredients:

1 part Pimm’s No. 1 Cup

3 parts sparkling lemonade

Generous slices of fresh seasonal fruit (lemon, lime, orange, strawberries and cucumber)

Large handful of fresh mint leaves

Instructions:

Fill a tall glass with ice cubes. Pour over the Pimm’s No. 1 and top with the lemonade. Add the fruit and mint leaves and stir lightly. Garnish with slices of fresh seasonal fruit, if desired.”

Conclusion

So there you have it folks, the fascinating and boozy origin story of Pimm’s Cup. From its invention in London’s oyster bars in the 1820s to its evolution into a must-have summer sip, Pimm’s Cup continues to remain a timeless classic. Why not try making your own at home this summer and allow yourself to be transported back to the days of the “House of Pimm’s”!

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