Napoleon House Pimm's Cup

Want to get the “I don’t drink gin” fellow to drink gin?  Well then serve him a Pimm’s No. 1 Cup.  Most people who are drinking Pimm’s don’t even realize that they are drinking a gin based beverage because the drink is so pleasant, refreshing and almost fruity. Qualities the average drinker doesn't associate with gin. 

The Pimm’s Cup is a English specialty drink usually mixed with a lemonade, ginger ale or soda. In England this style of beverage commonly known as a “fruit” or “summer cup.” Summer cups are created by adding a special blend of herbs, spices, and fruit to a base liquor (most often gin). 

Pimm’s recipe for it’s herbal botanical concoction is a closely guarded secret known by very few in the company.  Since it’s original creation by James Pimm at his London based oyster house in 1823, the Pimm’s Company has produced several different numbered cup varieties.  Pimm’s Nos. use base alcohols of gin, brandy, and vodka but Pimm’s No. 1 is the original, the most popular, and has proven the test of time. 

The original “English” version is simple: Pimm’s No. 1, a twist of lemon, filled with ginger ale over ice.  The "New Orleans" version credits the Napoleon House (500 Chartres St.) as it’s creator.  The website gives their secret away (not that it’s too hard to figure out) and is sure to mention that theirs is still the best “...be warned, home concoctions of the Pimm's Cup, no matter how accurate, for some reason, never taste as good as those at the Napoleon House.”

The Napoleon House Pimm’s Cup

Glassware: 12 oz tumbler

Ingredients:

1 ¼ Pimm’s No. 1 Cup

3 oz Lemonade

Fill 7up soda

Garnish: Cucumber slice

Some recipe’s call for mint, oranges, ginger ale, ginger beer, soda, muddling and the like. And the possibilities seem endless in creating one’s own special Pimm’s Cup.  For this beverage MiddleBar serves the classic using fresh lemonade and often substituting Sprite for 7up.  

MiddleBar Lemonade

Glassware: 1 large pitcher

Ingredients:

4-6 large fresh lemons

3/4 cup white granulated sugar

filtered water

stir

The Pimm's cup is a wonderful treat with oysters on the half shell and better be, it was created at an oyster house!!

CheersYa’ll!