Classic Pimm's Cup Makes a Comeback in Metro Phoenix
In this new series, Chow Bella blogger Nikki Buchanan shares what's hot right now -- and we're not talking about the temperature. Whether it's the latest trendy ingredient or the right dish for the season, she'll give you the backstory and where in town you can find it. 
courtesy of Windsor Why have a Pimm's Cup when you can have a whole pitcher?
It's official. Our five-month summer is here. A long haul of this proportion calls for cold, refreshing beverages -- preferably alcoholic. England's favorite summer drink is the Pimm's Cup, and like so many classic cocktails, it's making a comeback here in the States.
Although it's considered an aperitif (a low-alcohol cocktail drunk before dinner to stimulate the appetite), it's so light and refreshing, it makes a great sipper any time.
Here's the backstory:
James Pimm, who ran a popular oyster house in London in the 1820s, invented Pimm's #1 -- a gin-based liqueur with spicy, citrus-y, botanical notes -- for his customers, who were knocking back straight gin (and surely grimacing) with their oysters. Later, he invented a light punch using Pimm's #1, which he served in a tankard and christened "#1 Cup." It's entirely possible that Pimm was England's first mixologist.
Although the English make their Pimm's Cup with lemonade, in the States, we usually use ginger ale or ginger beer. A light effervescence is what we're going for here.
The Brits turn their glasses into a fruit salad, garnishing them with cantaloupe, oranges and cherries, although the traditional garnish is simply a thick slice of cucumber and a sprig of borage (a cucumber-flavored herb with medicinal properties). Nowadays, many bartenders substitute mint, which is in the same family.
Want to find out what the Pimm's Cup is all about? Here are three great examples to taste-test:
Location Info
Venue
Map
Windsor
5223 N. Central Ave., Phoenix, AZ
Category: Restaurant
|
1 user reviews
|
Write A Review |
| Save to foursquare |
|
Email to Friend
Write to Editor
Print Article
