This is how PIMM’S was invented

This legendary gin has been around for a few hundred years, but what many people don’t know is how it came to be invented.

Gin? IT’S GIN?

PIMM’s is one of our most popular alcoholic drinks here at taste.com.au (and we’re not afraid to show it). From our PIMM’S punch cheesecake to the strawberry PIMM’S spritz, it’s pretty obvious that we love the summery bevy.

You’d think that since we’re such big fans, we’d know everything about it, but we shamefully admit… that we didn’t. *Awkward*

We recently stumbled across some information about how this legendary drink was actually invented and we were SHOOK.

The history of PIMM’S

Let’s take it back a few hundred years, when a farmer’s son called James Pimm lived in 1840s London. Now, according to Town and Country magazine, Pimm “owned an oyster bar”, where he “created and offered his guests a secret mix as a tonic to aid digestion”. Yes, PIMM’S was originally sold as a (kind of) health drink. Obviously it’s changed a bit since then and has risen in alcohol content quite substantially, which means it’s not so healthy anymore.

Is PIMM’S really made from gin?

Yes, PIMM’S is described by the people who actually make it now as a “gin-based” drink. But it’s actually a concoction of a few different ingredients. Gin, a secret blend of warm spices and herbal botanicals, caramelised orange and also quinine, an ingredient famous for being found in tonic water but… get this… also used to treat malaria! Does that means you won’t be bothered by the mozzies when PIMM’s is around?

PIMM’S is described by the people who actually make it now as a gin-based drink.

What is a fruit cup?

If you look closely at the PIMM’S label, you’ll see that it’s also referred to as “No.1 Cup”. Apparently this stems from the fact that James Pimm used to call the tankard that he served his original tonic in “the No. 1 Cup”! PIMM’S is also sometimes referred to as a “fruit cup”, which in the UK basically refers to a drink consisting of a mixture of fruit juices, usually with pieces of fruit in it.

How should you serve PIMM’S?

In England, PIMM’S is served with lemonade and/or ginger ale and lots of fresh fruit such as strawberries, citrus fruit and cucumber (yes, cucumber). But as you can see from our many, MANY PIMM’S recipes on site, it’s very versatile and can be served a multitude of ways.

PIMM’S has an interesting histry.

PIMM’S: the cocktail of Wimbledon

The right-hand-man of Wimbledon, PIMM’s is more than just a great tasting gin, it’s an ICON. Ever since it’s rise to the spotlight in the 1800s, it’s become a quintessential part of Britain and started to make appearances at some fancy-schmancy events like Chelsea Flower Show and the Henley Royal Regatta. Oh, and since its Wimbledon debut in 1971, PIMM’s says that “now more than 300,000 glasses of the recipe are served to spectators every year.”! Now THAT’s impressive.

Anyone else feel like a glass of PIMM’S now?

Our best PIMMs recipes

PIMM’s pavlova roll

Frozen PIMM’s

PIMM’S and lemonade jello shots

For more recipe ideas, go to taste.com.au or check out the Taste Test Kitchen now.

Originally published as This is how PIMM’S was invented