Pimm's Cup Ad Inspired by The New Avengers, 1960s Theme Song
The Avengers was a British spy TV show created in 1961. The Avengers initially focused on Dr. David Keel (Ian Hendry) aided by John Steed (Patrick Macnee). Ian Hendry left after the first series, and Patrick Macnee's John Steed became the main character, partnered with a succession of beautiful assistants. Steed's most famous assistants were intelligent, stylish and assertive women, including Cathy Gale (Honor Blackman), Emma Peel (Diana Rigg), and Tara King (Linda Thorson).
In 2003, the Pimm's Cup, a popular British cocktail orginally created by James Pimm in 1823, experienced a revival because of an advertisement in the U.S. that featured the catchphrase "It's Pimm's O'clock!" In 2010, the Pimm's Cup ad was updated, showing an Englishman in a red and white blazer, and three young women in yellow, with the theme tune of 1970s British television show The New Avengers playing in the background.
This classic British cocktail - made with Pimm's liquer - is still served today at the Wimbledon tennis tournament, the Chelsea Flower Show, the Henley Royal Regatta and the Glyndebourne Festival Opera, and is one of the main cocktails traditionally made at British and American polo matches.
A little history of the Pimm's Cup is in order...
According to sources: "Pimm, a farmer's son from Kent, became the owner of an oyster bar in the City of London, near the Bank of England. He offered the tonic (a gin-based drink containing a secret mixture of herbs and liqueurs) as an aid to digestion, serving it in a small tankard known as a "No. 1 Cup", hence its subsequent name. In 1851, Pimm's No. 2 Cup and Pimm's No. 3 Cup were introduced. Pimm's began large-scale production in 1851 to keep up with sales to other bars. The distillery began selling it commercially in 1859 and in 1865, Pimm sold the business and the right to use his name to Frederick Sawyer. In 1880, the business was acquired by future Lord Mayor of London Horatio Davies, and a chain of Pimm's Oyster Houses was franchised in 1887. Over the years, Pimm's has extended their range, using other spirits as bases for new "cups". After World War II, Pimm's No. 4 Cup was invented, followed by Pimm's No. 5 Cup and Pimm's No. 6 Cup in the 1960s."
Pimm's has been owned by Diageo since 1997. Its most popular product is Pimm's No. 1 Cup. In 2005, Pimm's introduced what they call "Pimm's Winter Cup," which consists of Pimm's No. 3 Cup (the brandy-based variant) infused with spices and orange peel.
Pimm's has a dark-brown color with a reddish tint; it's unique flavor comes from spices and citrus fruits. When a Pimm's Cup is served "English Style," the bartender uses clear, carbonated lemonade, adding many chopped fruit garnishes, such as apples, cucumber, oranges, lemons, strawberry and mint. Ginger ale can be used as a mixer instead of lemonade. When Pimm's is mixed with Champagne (or a sparkling white wine), it's called a "Pimm's Royal Cup".
In this video, check out Las Vegas Crescent bartending student Aaron Dean as he makes Crescent School of Gaming and Bartending's version of this British classic. Our recipe features:
Ice
3 oz. Pimm's #1
1 oz. simple syrup
1 oz. freshly squeezed lemon juice (with some water to activate the lemonade)
Club soda for fizz
Fruit - raspberries, blueberries, blackberries, orange slice, lemon slice, apple slice, cucumber slice
Garnish - Mint spring
It's such a refreshing drink, especially when you add whatever fresh fruit you have in your kitchen! If you're using cucumber, it can be muddled for extra texture and flavor. Enjoy!