The Pimm’s Cup is the quintessential British summer cocktail, beloved at garden parties, Wimbledon, and warm-weather gatherings across the UK. This refreshing drink combines Pimm’s No. 1, a gin-based liqueur infused with herbs and citrus, with lemonade or ginger ale and an abundance of fresh fruit and herbs. The result is a light, fruity, slightly spicy drink that’s dangerously easy to sip on hot days. What makes the Pimm’s Cup special is its versatility and the beautiful presentation of floating fruit and cucumber that makes each glass look like a garden in a cup. Whether you’re hosting a summer party, attending a British-themed event, or simply want a sophisticated yet approachable cocktail, the Pimm’s Cup delivers refreshing elegance with every sip. It’s festive, photogenic, and tastes like sunshine in a glass.
Serving Quantity: Makes 1 cocktail (easily multiplied for pitchers)
Cooking Time: 5 minutes (no cooking, just assembly)
1. Ingredients for Single Serving
- Two ounces Pimm’s No. 1
- Four to six ounces lemonade or ginger ale (or half and half)
- Ice cubes
- One-quarter cup fresh strawberries, sliced
- One-quarter English cucumber, sliced into ribbons or rounds
- One orange slice or wheel
- One lemon slice or wheel
- Fresh mint sprigs (3 to 4 leaves)
- Optional: fresh raspberries, blackberries, or blueberries
- Optional: apple slices or chunks
2. Understanding Pimm’s No. 1
Pimm’s No. 1 is a gin-based liqueur that’s the foundation of the Pimm’s Cup. Created in 1840 by James Pimm in London, it has a complex flavor profile with notes of spices, citrus, and herbs. At 25% alcohol, it’s relatively low-proof compared to straight spirits. The exact recipe is secret, but it contains gin, liqueur, fruit extracts, and herbs. Pimm’s originally made six different numbered varieties based on different spirits, but No. 1 is the only one still widely available. It’s sold in distinctive dark bottles and is essential for an authentic Pimm’s Cup.
3. Choose Your Mixer
Traditional British Pimm’s Cups use lemonade, but this means British-style lemonade which is similar to American Sprite or 7-Up, a clear, lemon-flavored carbonated soda. American lemonade (the cloudy, non-carbonated kind) doesn’t work well. For authentic flavor, use ginger ale, lemon-lime soda, or a combination. Some people use half lemonade and half ginger beer for extra ginger spice. Others use champagne or prosecco for a more elegant version called a Pimm’s Royale. The mixer should be well-chilled and carbonated for the best results.
4. Select Fresh Fruit
The fruit is what makes a Pimm’s Cup visually stunning and adds fresh flavor. Strawberries are traditional and essential. English cucumber adds refreshing crispness and is equally important. Orange and lemon slices provide citrus brightness. From there, you can add whatever fresh berries or fruit you like: raspberries, blackberries, blueberries, or apple chunks. Use whatever looks best at the market. The fruit should be ripe, fresh, and cut into attractive pieces. Don’t skip the cucumber as it’s a defining characteristic of the drink.
5. Prepare Your Glass
Use a tall glass like a highball, Collins, or even a large wine glass. Some people serve Pimm’s Cup in tankards or mason jars for a rustic garden party vibe. Whatever glass you choose, it should be large enough to accommodate plenty of ice, the drink, and generous amounts of fruit and herbs. Chill the glass in the freezer for 15 minutes if you have time, or fill it with ice water while you prepare ingredients, then dump it out before building the drink.
6. Add the Fruit First
Start by adding the fresh fruit to your glass. This method ensures the fruit is evenly distributed throughout the drink rather than floating on top. Add the sliced strawberries, cucumber ribbons or rounds, orange slice, lemon slice, and any berries or apple pieces you’re using. Use a muddler or the back of a spoon to very gently press the fruit just once or twice. You’re not trying to completely muddle it like a mojito, just lightly bruise it to release some juices. Don’t over-muddle or you’ll end up with fruit pulp instead of pretty garnishes.
7. Add Fresh Mint
Take a sprig of fresh mint with 3 to 4 leaves. Hold it between your palms and give it a good clap or slap. This bruises the leaves and releases the aromatic mint oils without tearing the leaves into pieces. Drop the mint into the glass with the fruit. The mint adds a fresh, herbal note that brightens the entire drink. Don’t skip it as mint is traditional and essential to the flavor profile. You can also tear the leaves gently with your fingers to release more oils.
8. Fill with Ice
Add ice cubes to the glass, filling it almost to the top. Use fresh, solid ice cubes that will melt slowly and keep the drink cold without over-diluting it. The ice will hold the fruit and mint in place and chill everything properly. Make sure the glass is packed with ice as a Pimm’s Cup should be served very cold. The more ice, the colder and more refreshing the drink will be on a hot summer day.
9. Pour the Pimm’s
Measure two ounces of Pimm’s No. 1 using a jigger and pour it over the ice and fruit. The Pimm’s should be at room temperature or chilled from the refrigerator. Pour it evenly over the glass so it distributes throughout the fruit and ice. Two ounces is the standard measure, but you can adjust slightly based on how strong you like your drinks. Less Pimm’s makes it lighter and more sessionable, more makes it boozy and more spirit-forward.
10. Top with Lemonade or Ginger Ale
Pour your chosen mixer over the Pimm’s, filling the glass almost to the top. Pour slowly to preserve the carbonation. Leave about half an inch of space at the top to prevent spilling when you stir. The standard ratio is about one part Pimm’s to two to three parts mixer, but this is flexible. More mixer makes it lighter and more refreshing, less mixer makes it stronger. For the best balance, start with four ounces of mixer and add more if desired.
11. Stir Gently
Use a bar spoon or regular spoon to give the drink one or two gentle stirs from bottom to top. You want to just barely mix the Pimm’s with the lemonade and distribute the fruit throughout without flattening all the carbonation. Don’t over-stir. A couple of gentle lifts from bottom to top is sufficient. The drink should look like a beautiful garden in a glass with fruit and cucumber visible throughout and mint floating on top.
12. Garnish Abundantly
The final garnish is what makes a Pimm’s Cup Instagram-worthy. Add extra fruit on top for visual impact: more strawberry slices, additional cucumber ribbons, orange wheels, or berries. Stick a fresh sprig of mint right in the center as the crowning glory. Some people add a long cucumber ribbon that spirals out of the glass. Others add edible flowers for extra elegance. The more colorful and abundant the garnish, the more festive and appealing the drink. Don’t be shy, pile it on.
13. Serve with a Straw
Provide a straw or stirrer so people can mix the drink as they sip and reach the fruit at the bottom. A reusable metal or bamboo straw works well and looks elegant. Some people prefer drinking directly from the glass to get the aromatic mint with every sip. Either way is correct. Serve immediately while ice cold and the carbonation is still fizzy. The drink is best enjoyed slowly on a warm afternoon or evening.
14. Make a Pitcher for Parties
Pimm’s Cup is perfect for making in large batches for parties. For a pitcher serving 8 people, combine one bottle (750ml) of Pimm’s No. 1, three cups of lemonade or ginger ale, and add abundant sliced fruit, cucumber, and mint. Don’t add ice to the pitcher or it will dilute too much. Instead, keep the pitcher refrigerated and pour over ice in individual glasses when serving. Add extra fruit to each glass for presentation. Keep extra lemonade on hand to top off drinks as needed.
15. Variations to Try
The basic Pimm’s Cup formula is endlessly adaptable. Use prosecco instead of lemonade for a Pimm’s Royale. Add muddled watermelon for a summery twist. Use elderflower tonic for floral notes. Add a splash of gin for extra strength. Try it with Pimm’s Winter Cup (Pimm’s No. 3) for a different flavor. Add jalapeño slices for spicy heat. Use lime instead of lemon for a more tropical vibe. The fruit can be varied seasonally: use peaches in summer, apples in fall. Get creative while keeping the essential elements.
16. Non-Alcoholic Version
For a mocktail Pimm’s Cup, omit the Pimm’s and build the drink with lemonade, ginger ale, or a combination, plus all the fruit, cucumber, and mint. To add complexity without alcohol, include a splash of tea (cold black tea or herbal tea), a dash of bitters, or a squeeze of fresh lemon juice. The result is still refreshing, fruity, and festive even without the Pimm’s. Perfect for designated drivers, pregnant women, or anyone avoiding alcohol.
17. Seasonal Considerations
While Pimm’s Cup is synonymous with summer, the drink works year-round with seasonal adaptations. In spring, use strawberries and fresh herbs. Summer calls for berries and cucumber. Fall versions can include apple slices, pear, and cinnamon. Winter Pimm’s Cups might feature oranges and cranberries. The drink’s versatility makes it appropriate for any warm-weather occasion or when you simply want to evoke summer regardless of the season.
18. Food Pairings
Pimm’s Cup is the ultimate garden party drink and pairs wonderfully with summer foods. Serve it with afternoon tea sandwiches, scones, and finger foods. It complements British classics like fish and chips, Scotch eggs, or sausage rolls. The fruity, refreshing quality works with light salads, grilled chicken, or seafood. It’s perfect for picnics with cheese, crackers, and fresh fruit. The drink is festive enough for celebrations but casual enough for everyday summer sipping.
19. History and Cultural Significance
James Pimm created Pimm’s No. 1 in the 1840s as a digestive aid served at his London oyster bar. It became popular as a refreshing summer drink mixed with lemonade and garnished with fruit and herbs. The Pimm’s Cup is now synonymous with British summer events, especially Wimbledon tennis championships where over 300,000 glasses are served annually. It represents leisurely summer afternoons, garden parties, and British social traditions. The drink embodies a relaxed, elegant approach to warm-weather entertaining.
20. Nutrition Information Per Serving (2 oz Pimm’s, 4 oz lemonade, fruit)
- Calories: 185
- Total fat: 0 grams
- Saturated fat: 0 grams
- Cholesterol: 0 milligrams
- Sodium: 15 milligrams
- Total carbohydrates: 24 grams
- Dietary fiber: 1 gram
- Sugars: 21 grams
- Protein: 0 grams
- Alcohol: 10 grams
21. Helpful Tips for the Perfect Pimm’s Cup
- Use British-style lemonade (like Sprite) not American-style cloudy lemonade for authentic flavor.
- Don’t skip the cucumber as it’s a defining characteristic that adds refreshing crispness.
- Slap the mint between your palms before adding to release aromatic oils without tearing leaves.
- Use abundant fresh fruit and herbs for the most beautiful, flavorful, and photogenic presentation.
- Serve very cold over plenty of ice for maximum refreshment on warm days.
- Make pitchers for parties but pour over ice in individual glasses rather than adding ice to the pitcher.
- Adjust the Pimm’s to lemonade ratio based on how strong you like your drinks.
- Use whatever fresh fruit looks best at the market for seasonal variations.
- Add the fruit before the ice so it’s distributed throughout rather than just floating on top.
- Garnish generously as the visual appeal is part of what makes a Pimm’s Cup special.
