Pimm's have recently relaunched Pimm's No 3 by calling it Pimm's Winter Cup. However, Pimm's No 3 is not a new product. It was first sold in Britain a good few years ago. However, it was discontinued until very recently. It's a brandy based drink blended with orange zest and spices, and designed to be served either hot or cold. You may well have seen the actor Alexander Armstrong (and a St Bernard dog) serving it up on the Pimm's recent TV advert.

** PIMM'S SPIRIT DRINKS **
Pimm's No 1 Cup was the original Pimm's and it was first served by James Pimm in his London Oyster Bar in 1840. It was originally sold in tankards and advertised as "tonic to aid digestion". However, it was (and still is) a gin based drink containing a secret mixture of herbs and quinine. Pimm's No 1 Cup was later bottled and sold commercially, quickly becoming fashionable with the middle and upper classes. It was during the war years that Pimm's really began to expand their range. US servicemen posted to Britain loved Pimm's No 1 so much, that Pimm's began a whole new line of different "cups" using different spirits as bases. There was Pimm's No 2 (scotch), Pimm's No 3 (brandy), Pimm's No 4 (rum), Pimm's No 5 (rye) and Pimm's No 6 (vodka). Sadly, most of these variants have now been discontinued.

Today, Pimm's No 1 (gin) and Pimm's No 6 (vodka) still continue to be sold, and after years of inactivity, Pimm's No 3 (brandy) has recently been relaunched as Pimm's Winter Cup. However, whether it takes off, or appeals to the public, remains to be seen.

** PRICE & AVAILABILITY **
Pimm's No 3 is still based on the original 1840 Pimm's recipe, which is essentially a spirit base mixed with a cocktail of secret spices. The recipe still remains a closely guarded secret, only known by six people (known mysteriously as 'The Secret Six').

As Pimm's No 3 is a recently relauched product, it is currently available in most good supermarkets and off licences. At the moment you can buy a 70cl bottle for £10.99 at Waitrose and Tesco, but it is on special offer. The normal retail price will be £12.49.

It's sold in a clear glass bottle with a white, gold and dark orange label. Like all Pimm's products it bears the very distinctive Pimm's logo in large red capital letters, as well as the printed autograph of its inventor James Pimm.

** SUGGESTED SERVING METHODS **
Pimm's No 3 is brandy based, and therefore has a fuller palate ideal for winter drinking. The brandy is flavoured with orange zest and a mix of different spices.

Undiluted, Pimm's No 3 is a rich amber brown colour. It has an indecently fruity smell - spicy, heady and extremely rich. You can detect a faint underlying aroma of brandy, but it is buried under the sweeter tones of orange peel. You can detect faint whiffs of those decadent winter spices - cinnamon, nutmeg and cloves. It does, in fact, smell like just like Christmas, you know, rich fruit cake, mince pies and nuts.

Pimm's doesn't taste all that wonderful on its own, it is better diluted with a variety of different mixers. The recommended serving is 1 part Pimm's to 3 parts lemonade, ginger ale or warm apple juice. One 70cl bottle will give you approximately 28 glasses of Pimm's or 14 glasses if you serve doubles. As Pimm's No 3 is being marketed as Pimm's Winter Cup, it can be served either hot or cold. In order to give it a fair review, I tested both serving methods thoroughly.

** SERVED HOT AS A WINTER WARMER **
- 1 part Pimm's No 3
- 3 parts clear apple juice
- Heat gently until warm but do not boil (makes the alcohol evaporate and you don't want that)
- Garnish with slivers of apple and orange to enhance the fruity flavour
- Serve in thick walled tall glasses (so you can warm your hands around it)

It's a rather dull brown in colour and looks rather like cold tea. Adding a few slices of orange and apple can help lift it out of its winter gloom, and put some colour into the glass (as well as add to the fruity flavour). You can also try throwing a few cloves into the mix, as they always bring a nice flavouring to the party. Similarly, cinnamon sticks not only act as an interesting "cocktail stirrer", they also intensify the aroma and flavouring.

It does smell absolutely glorious as it is gently warming on the Aga. This drink is rendolent with the smell of spices (those that spring to mind are nutmeg, cinnamon and cloves), and gently warming them just seems to make their fragrant aromas even headier. The slightly acidic smell of apples and grapes are countered with a nuttier, buttery smell of caramel and toffee. It really does smell most inviting...

The beverage does taste sweet, but it is tempered with the acidic undertones of apples and brandy. Initially it tastes buttery, rich and fruity - the honeyed tones of caramel and toffee are there in the taste as well. The aftertaste is slightly bitterer - acidic hues from the apples, grapes and the brandy kicking in. There are similarities in taste with mulled wine, as it is just as fruity and grapey. However, I found that is it a little bit spicier than mulled wine. You can definitely detect the orange zest and taste hints of cinnamon.

This drink would appeal to those that enjoy mulled wine, but it will pack more of a punch. It certainly is very warming, giving your insides a healthy glow and putting some colour in your cheeks. The smell alone makes it more than inviting.

** SERVED COLD AS A SUMMER COOLER **
- 1 part Pimm's No 3
- 3 parts chilled lemonade or chilled ginger ale
- Garnish with lemon, apple and orange slices
- Add ice cubes and then pour into long glasses or half pint mugs
- Serve with a straw and a cocktail stirrer (so that you can fish out the fruit and eat it)

As you pour the lemonade or ginger ale into the glass (or jug), a thick layer of pale creamy froth appears, which will lace the top of the glass. Pimm's becomes a paler golden brown colour once diluted.

Although it smells pleasant enough, the chilled version is nowhere near as heady in aroma as the heated beverage. Served cold, you can indeed smell the oranges and brandy, but the spices are barely discernable.

Tastewise, it's as fruity and sweet as you would expect, with citrus flavourings to the fore. The orange flavouring is very obvious, but the spiciness is just not so apparent in the chilled version. There is a definite edge to the fruitiness, and it gives way to a drier and somewhat bitter finish as the brandy kicks in. Pimm's No 3 makes an extremely refreshing drink, and although it does indeed taste very fruity (as opposed to alcoholic), it is also surprisingly strong (25% vol) so you do need to pace yourself.

Some further decent Pimm's recipes for the different cups can be found at:-
http://www.spittoon.biz/pimms_and_pimms_based_coc ktail.html

** RECOMMENDATION **
It's an extremely clever marketing idea to come up with a beverage that is versatile enough to be served all year round, and I like the idea of being able to drink it both hot and cold. I did like the novelty of being able to serve something a little bit different to our guests on Christmas Day, and it certainly went down a treat. The kitchen smelled wonderfully welcoming, as the aromas given off by the warming Pimm's on the Aga were absolutely delightful. As a chilled drink, though, I very much doubt that Pimm's No 3 will successfully ever knock Pimm's No 1 off its perch as one of Britain's favourite summer thirst quenchers. It's a pleasant enough drink, but nothing particularly special. I must say that as a cold drink, I prefer the gin flavours of Pimm's No 1. However, as a winter warmer, I think Pimm's have excelled themselves and come up with a great idea. This drink will appeal to those that enjoy a mulled wine, or enjoy serving something that little bit different. And it certainly does warm the cockles of your heart.

** FURTHER DETAILS **
Pimm's Spirit Drinks
Office 30
78 Marylebone High Street
London
W1U 5AP

Email: response@pimmsinfo.com
Website: www.anyoneforpimms.com
Telephone: 0845-6014558