Pimm’s No. 1 is a British gin-based liqueur made with quinine and a proprietary mixture of spices, herbs and fruit juices. The resulting flavor is unique: citrusy, herbaceous and spicy-sweet.
Created in 1820s London by an oyster bar owner named James Pimm, this reddish-brown liqueur was initially served in small tankards to aid digestion. It was so popular that they began bottling it in the 1860s. “No. 1” was followed by five other liqueurs (numbered 2 through 6 for whiskey, brandy, rum, rye and vodka, respectively), but No. 1 has always been the favorite.
With its low alcohol content (25%), Pimm’s No. 1 is ideal for sipping over ice or mixing into a refreshing cocktail. The most popular Pimm’s-based beverage is Pimm’s Cup, which is made by mixing one part Pimm’s No. 1 with three parts chilled lemonade or lemon-lime soda then garnishing with mint, cucumber, orange and strawberry. Pimm’s Cup is the go-to drink of Wimbledon, where more than 40,000 pints are consumed each year.
We’ve come up with a Pimm’s No. 1 concoction of our own called the Waterloo Sunset. Keep reading for the drink recipe and to find out how it got its name!
WATERLOO SUNSET
Mollie Stone’s Markets Original Recipe
Makes 1
In a tall glass filled with ice, mix together 1.5 oz Pimm’s No. 1, 3 oz pomegranate juice and 3 oz Fever-Tree Tonic Water. Garnish with pineapple and blackberries to mimic the colors of a sunset over Waterloo Station.
