Pimm's Cup Recipe (With Video and Step-by-Step)

Prep Time:

10 mins

Total Time:

10 mins

Servings:

1

The Pimm's cup is one of the most classic—and beautifully garnished—British cocktails around. It's also one of the simplest drinks to make. Our version combines the base spirit, Pimm's No. 1—a gin-based liqueur that is simultaneously sweet, bitter, and herbaceous—with fresh lemon juice and ginger ale. The real fun comes when it's time to garnish, however. Classified as a fruit cup, this drink is meant to be served in a highball glass with plenty of thinly sliced cucumber, lemon, and strawberries, plus a sprig of mint. It's low in alcohol, unbelievably refreshing, and perfect for a summer gathering.

Three glasses of fruitfilled cocktail garnished with mint — Jason Donnelly

Ingredient Needs

Pimm's No. 1: The base spirit, Pimm's No. 1, is a gin-based liqueur flavored with spices, herbs, and caramelized orange. You should be able to find it at most liquor stores.

Lemon: Use fresh lemon juice, not bottled. It adds a welcome brightness and balances out the sweetness from the Pimm's. Before juicing, reserve a few slices for garnish.

Ginger ale: This drink is traditionally made with English sparkling lemonade, but locating a good substitute stateside can be difficult. Instead, we add ginger ale for effervescence. Seek out a high-quality option for the best flavor.

Cucumber: You can use either an English cucumber or a garden variety for this cocktail. Just be sure to scrub the skin well before slicing.

Mint: A few mint leaves flavor the cocktail, while a sprig is added as a garnish. There's no need to muddle it, which would release the herb's essential oils and make for an overpowering taste.

Strawberry: Use one strawberry—always fresh, never frozen—per glass. Thinly slice it before dropping it in.

How to Batch Pimm's Cup for a Crowd

This drink is easy to batch and wonderful for a large group. Combining the liquid ingredients with some of the garnishes infuses the drink with their fresh flavor; save some for garnishing each glass. This recipe is intended to be made ahead of time, which gives the ingredients time to mingle and chill, but you can also make it right before serving if desired.

In a large pitcher, combine 1 bottle Pimm's No. 1 with 1 1/2 cups plus 2 tablespoons lemon juice.
Stir gently to combine, then add 1 thinly sliced lemon, 5 sliced strawberries, 1 cup cucumber slices, and 1/4 cup mint leaves.
Refrigerate until cold, at least 1 hour and up to 8 hours.
When ready to serve, add 5 cups chilled ginger ale. Pour over ice-filled glasses and garnish with more cucumber, lemon, mint, and strawberries.

Directions

Ingredients for making a drink including cucumber slices mint strawberry lemon ice and liquids in glasses and a pitcher — Jason Donnelly

Fill glass with Pimm's, lemon, and ginger:

Fill a highball glass with ice. Add Pimm's, lemon juice, and ginger ale to fill.

Jason Donnelly
Add fruit and stir:

Add cucumber, mint, strawberry, and lemon. Stir to combine. Garnish with mint sprig.

Jason Donnelly

Pimm's Cup Variations

Ginger: Swap the ginger ale for ginger beer for a spicier Pimm's.

Fruit: Instead of the garnishes listed in the recipe, use other fruit like blackberries, tangerine segments, nectarine slices, or pitted cherries.

Herbs: While mint has always been the herb of choice for this drink, a sprig of basil would complement the cucumber just as beautifully.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Where did the Pimm's cup get its name?

The Pimm's cup got its name from James Pimm, a London-based fishmonger and oyster bar owner who developed the liqueur that bears his name in 1823. Originally created as a digestive aid for customers, it was served in a drinking vessel called a "No. 1 cup." The drink eventually was served as a "fruit cup," garnished with the strawberries, cucumber, citrus, and herbs it's known for today.
Is the Pimm's cup high in alcohol?

No, the Pimm's cup is relatively low in alcohol. The liqueur itself contains a lower ABV than other spirits like gin and vodka. When mixed with the other ingredients in the cocktail, it has an alcohol content of around 6 percent which is similar to a beer.
Does Pimm's go bad?

Pimm's won't technically go bad, but its flavor will degrade over time. Once opened, store it in a cool, dark place away from direct sunlight. It will stay good for up to 2 years.