Classic Pimm’s Cup – a must have, British-summer cocktail. Sweet, spicy, and incredibly refreshing! Load up your cup with fresh fruit, lemonade and a shot of Pimm’s and enjoy.

Rainy weather be damned. It’s time for a Pimm’s cup!

If you could see my view out the window right about now you’d never guess that it’s mid June. It’s gray and rainy and it’s showing no signs of stopping. That’s English weather for you right there.

So I’m just going to pretend that I’m poolside back in Arizona with my sunglasses on and the sun beating down because that’s how a drink this refreshing deserves to be enjoyed. It’s like summer in a cup but without all the usual unbearable sweatiness of summer.

What’s a Pimm’s Cup?

Like most traditional English things, I had never heard of Pimm’s before my first visit to Sheffield. I’m sure my sister-in-law still fondly remembers the time I asked her what a ‘pim’ was having only heard it mentioned in passing. It gave everyone a good laugh and an excuse to buy a bottle of Pimm’s No 1 so that I could try it for myself.

As it turns out, Pimm’s is both a brand and a gin based liqueur that has become synonymous with British summers, strawberries & cream and Wimbledon spectating. All the markers for a classic summer cocktail in my book. Oh, and apparently it was originally sold as a digestive aid, so…like, it’s good for us, right?

How’s to Make a Pimm’s Cocktail

Making a traditional Pimm’s cup (or pitcher) is basically fool proof. Essentially it’s just a combination of Pimm’s and fizzy lemonade over ice, often times with fresh fruit in the glass.

The general ratio I’ve found when making a Pimm’s cup is 3 parts lemonade to 1 part Pimm’s (3:1). So if you’re making a single cocktail you would need 2 oz Pimm’s and 6 oz Lemonade.

What Type Of Fruit Should You Add To A Pimm’s?

Commonly used add-ins include:

• strawberries
• cucumber slices
• lemon and/or orange slices
• fresh mint leaves

Load up your cup full of fruit and enjoy the Pimm’s soaked strawberries leftover at the end!

Other Pimm’s Variations

• Ginger-ale is a popular substitute for lemonade.
• You can make a Pimm’s Royal Cup by using champagne or sparkling white wine in place of the lemonade.
• A Pimmlet can be made by subbing the Pimm’s No 1 for gin (like a gimlett).
• Make a Pimm’s Mojito by replacing the lemonade with soda water and muddle limes.
• Add sorbet to make a Pimm’s Cup Float!

Thirsty yet?

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Recipe

Classic Pimm’s Cup

Yield: 1 drink Prep Time: 5 minutes Total Time: 5 minutes

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A classic British summer cocktail

Ingredients

For One Drink

• 2 oz Pimm's No 1
• 6 oz fizzy lemonade or ginger ale
• Ice
• garnishes for the drink - fruit slices of your choosing, orange, strawberry, lemon, cucumber slices, crushed mint

Need help converting to weights? Check out my cups to grams Conversion Guide.

Instructions

For One Cup

1. Add the ice and garnishes to a glass. Add the Pimm's and then top up with the lemonade. Stir and enjoy

For a pitcher

1. Use 1 cup Pimm's to 3 cups lemonade. Fill a pitcher about 1/3 of the way with ice. Add your fruit & veg garnishes followed by the Pimm's. Top up with lemonade and gently stir to combine. Top with any additional garnishes and enjoy!

Nutrition Information

Yield: 1

Serving Size:

drink Calories: 141

This website provides approximate nutrition information for convenience and as a courtesy only. Nutrition data is gathered primarily from the USDA Food Composition Database, whenever available, or otherwise other online calculators.

© A Saucy Kitchen, Sarah Nevins

Course: Drinks Cuisine: British