Ingredients
- 2 oz Pimm’s No. 1
- 1/2 oz lemon juice freshly squeezed
- Ginger ale to top
Garnish
- Garnish: cucumber slice
- Garnish: mint sprig
- Garnish: strawberry
- Garnish: lemon wheel optional
- Garnish: orange wheel optional
Instructions
- Fill a highball glass with ice.
- Add 2 ounces of Pimm's No. 1 to the glass.
- Squeeze in 1/2 ounce of fresh lemon juice.
- Top the glass with ginger ale.
- Give the drink a brief stir to combine the ingredients.
- Garnish the drink with a cucumber slice, mint sprig, and skewered strawberry.
- Optionally, add lemon and orange wheels for additional garnish and flavor.
- Serve and enjoy your refreshing Pimm's Cup.
Estimated Nutrition:
Where it came from
The Pimm’s Cup traces its roots back to London, England, around the 1840s. James Pimm, an oyster bar owner, created the original gin-based liqueur as a digestif. It quickly became popular, especially among the British military and elite, establishing its place in British culture.
This drink sits comfortably in the long drink category, a close cousin to the highball but with a distinct character. What sets it apart is the proprietary Pimm's No. 1 Cup liqueur, which has a complex, secret blend of botanicals and spices that you won't find anywhere else, making it unique among its peers.
You'll typically find a Pimm’s Cup served at Wimbledon, garden parties, or any summer gathering where you want something light and thirst quenching. It’s a go-to for British pubs and a smart choice for a brunch cocktail, offering a taste of British summer regardless of your location.
What it tastes like
The Pimm’s Cup delivers a delightful mix of sweet, tart, and subtly bitter herbal notes. Pimm's No. 1 itself offers a complex, slightly spicy, and citrusy gin foundation. When combined with lemon-lime soda and a medley of fresh fruit, it becomes incredibly refreshing and easy drinking, with layers of fruit and botanical flavors.
Given that Pimm's No. 1 is only 25% ABV, and it's heavily diluted with soda and fruit, the Pimm’s Cup Cocktail is a remarkably low proof drink. Expect it to be on par with or even lighter than a standard light beer, making it perfect for an afternoon session without overdoing it.
The technique
Building a Pimm’s Cup is straightforward. Fill a large highball glass or a pitcher with plenty of ice. Add your measure of Pimm's No. 1, then top generously with lemon-lime soda or ginger ale. Stir gently to combine, then load it up with your chosen fresh fruit and a sprig of mint.
The one technique tip that matters most is simple: do not skimp on the ice or the fresh fruit. These aren't just garnish, they are integral to the drink's chill, dilution, and overall fresh flavor profile, ensuring every sip is as refreshing as the first.
Ingredient Spotlight
The bottles that make or break this drink.
Pimm's No. 1 Cup
- Use
- Pimm's No. 1 Cup. It's the original and the only one that truly makes a Pimm's Cup Cocktail.
- Skip
- Attempting to make your own with just gin and random mixers. You won't get the same complex, proprietary flavor.
- Why
- It's the unique, proprietary gin-based liqueur that defines the entire drink. Its secret blend of botanicals, spices, and fruit extracts is irreplaceable.
Fresh Fruit
- Use
- A generous mix of fresh cucumber slices, orange slices, strawberries, and mint sprigs. Apples are also a good addition.
- Skip
- Dried or canned fruit. They lack the vibrant freshness and texture that makes this drink so appealing.
- Why
- These fresh ingredients add essential aroma, flavor, and visual appeal. They infuse the drink as it sits, making it more refreshing and complex with every sip.
Three Variations
Three real ways bartenders riff on this drink.
Pimm's Royal Cup
- Sparkling celebration
- Substitute the lemon-lime soda with chilled Champagne or sparkling wine for a more celebratory and drier version of the classic.
Ginger Pimm's
- Spicier twist
- Swap the lemon-lime soda for ginger ale. This adds a spicier, slightly drier kick that complements the botanicals in Pimm's No. 1 beautifully.
Pimm's Lemonade
- Sweet and tangy
- For a sweeter, more tart profile, use still or sparkling lemonade instead of lemon-lime soda. It's a popular variation, especially for larger batches.
What if I don't have…
Quick substitutions for when the bottle shop is closed.
Try a gin-based cordial or a mix of gin, sweet vermouth, and a few dashes of Angostura bitters. It won't be the same, but it's a starting point.
Use ginger ale, sparkling lemonade, or even a dry sparkling wine for a different twist. Tonic water also works if you like bitter notes.
A few slices of green apple can offer a similar crispness, or just lean into more citrus and berries. Celery can also provide a fresh, green note.
Any tall drinking glass or even a large wine glass will do the trick. A pitcher is perfect if you're making a batch for a crowd.
Frequently Asked Questions
Direct answers to what people search for after Googling this drink.
What is in a Pimm’s Cup Cocktail?
Pimm’s No. 1 Cup, lemon-lime soda or ginger ale, and a variety of fresh fruits like cucumber, orange, strawberry, and mint.
Is Pimm's a gin?
Pimm's No. 1 is a gin-based liqueur, not pure gin itself. It has added botanicals, spices, and a lower ABV, making it a unique spirit category.
What fruits go best in a Pimm's Cup?
Cucumber, orange slices, strawberries, and fresh mint are the classic combination. Apples or lemon slices also work very well.
Is Pimm's Cup alcoholic?
Yes, it contains Pimm's No. 1 Cup, which is an alcoholic liqueur. However, the finished drink is low in alcohol due to significant dilution with soda and fruit.
What does Pimm's No. 1 taste like?
It has a complex, slightly bitter, herbal, and citrusy flavor profile, with notes of spice and a underlying gin character. It's unique and hard to describe without tasting it.
Can I use ginger ale instead of lemon-lime soda?
Absolutely. Ginger ale is a very common and popular mixer for a Pimm's Cup, offering a spicier, drier profile than lemon-lime soda.
Is the Pimm's Cup a summer drink?
It is traditionally considered a quintessential summer drink, perfect for warm weather and outdoor gatherings due to its refreshing nature and low alcohol content.
Do I have to use cucumber in a Pimm's Cup?
While cucumber is a signature ingredient and adds a refreshing crispness, you can certainly omit it if you prefer. Just adjust with more of the other fruits to compensate.
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