The recipe was invented by the owner of a City of London oyster bar in the early nineteenth century. Originally there were other variations: No2 (whisky), No3 (brandy), No5 (bourbon) and No6 (vodka). Not strictly a liqueur, Pimms is a gin-based drink, infused with aromatics and mixed with lemonade for consumption. Pimms has a powerful social associations with the English, or London, ’season’, and the sort of people who take part in events such as Henley, Ascot, May Balls and wherever else the young (and not so young) in-crowds gather. Connoisseurs insist that only adding champagne as opposed to lemonade, makes a true Pimms No1 Cup.