Pimm's Cup Cocktail Recipe

A bottle of Pimm's No. 1, lemon-lime soda, and tons of garnish are all you need for this party-friendly classic.

By
J. Kenji López-Alt
Kenji Lopez Alt
Culinary Consultant
Kenji is the former culinary director for Serious Eats and a current culinary consultant for the site. He is also a New York Times food columnist and the author of The Food Lab: Better Home Cooking Through Science.
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Updated May 07, 2024
A bottle of Pimm's liqueur next to a fully garnished tall glass of Pimm's Cup cocktail.

Serious Eats / Robyn Lee

Why It Works

  • Customize your cocktail by switching up the garnishes or adding extra gin.
  • This is a great cocktail for batching, so don't hesitate to scale up and make it by the pitcher.

I lived in Northern England for a summer several years ago (there was a lack of employment and a girl involved in that arrangement), a period punctuated by drizzle, pretty gardens, well-done Sunday roasts, chippies staffed by nice ladies who'd never met a half-Asian kid before, more drizzle, and the occasional trip south to Cambridge where we'd hope to catch the one or two beautifully sunny days of the summer to spend sipping Pimm's cups by the River Cam.

For myself and many others, it's a drink that instantly evokes England. I see Pimm's and I think damp rolling green hills, punting down winding rivers, summer suits and boat races, manicured lawns and garden parties.

Its lack of popularity stateside has always surprised me, given how tasty Pimm's is. It might be because it has been pigeonholed into one cocktail and rarely mixed with anything else. Pimm's itself borders on the macho with its gin base, strong hint of bitter quinine, and citrus pith flavors. Meanwhile, the garnishes fall squarely into the "umbrella drink" category—sliced strawberries and apples, oranges and lemons, cucumber, and the occasional sprig of mint. But get over this odd juxtaposition, because what a drink it is!

Like many herbal liquors, Pimm's got its start in 1823 when James Pimm began serving the concoction as a digestive tonic to patrons of his London oyster bar. Flavored with citrus, sugar, and herbal extracts, it's essentially a bottled gin sling. By the mid 19th century, Pimm's No. 2 Cup and No. 3 Cup (the former based on Scotch, the latter on brandy) were introduced, and the line was further expanded to rum, rye, and vodka variants in the 1960's.

These days, only the original gin-based version remains widely available, though you can still occasionally find Pimm's No. 6 in England and a modified version of No. 3 (now known as the Pimm's Winter Cup) available seasonally in the winter.

The standard Pimm's cup is made by mixing Pimm's with "white lemonade" (a.k.a. Sprite or 7-Up) along with chopped fruit and ice. Fruit choices can vary, but for me, the three absolute essentials are cucumber, strawberry, and orange. Pimm's cups are not particularly strong (though they have a way of sneaking up on you), so when I feel like really tasting my drink, I'll cut it with a bit of extra gin.

Pimm's Cup is a cocktail well-suited for making by the pitcherful, by the way.

April 2011

Recipe Details

Pimm's Cup Cocktail Recipe

Prep 10 mins
Active 10 mins
Total 10 mins
Serves 4 servings

Ingredients

  • 1/2 small cucumber, sliced thin

  • 8 strawberries, sliced thin

  • 1/2 orange, sliced thin

  • 1/2 lemon, sliced thin

  • 1/2 green apple, sliced thin

  • 1 quart ice

  • 1 cup (8 ounces) Pimm's No. 1 Cup

  • 3 cups (24 ounces) Sprite, 7-Up, or other clear citrus soda

  • Mint sprigs to garnish

Directions

  1. Layer fruit slices and ice in a pitcher. Add Pimm's and soda. Stir gently with a wooden spoon to combine. Pour into glasses, making sure to get fruit and ice in each glass. Garnish with mint, and serve.

Notes

Feel free to change fruit and vegetable garnishes as desired. If you like your drink a little stronger, add an extra splash of gin.

Read More

Nutrition Facts (per serving)
313Calories
1gFat
83gCarbs
5gProtein
×
Nutrition Facts
Servings: 4
Amount per serving
Calories313
% Daily Value*
Total Fat 1g2%
Saturated Fat 0g1%
Cholesterol 0mg0%
Sodium 36mg2%
Total Carbohydrate 83g30%
Dietary Fiber 13g47%
Total Sugars 56g
Protein 5g
Vitamin C 296mg1,478%
Calcium 194mg15%
Iron 2mg11%
Potassium 905mg19%
*The % Daily Value (DV) tells you how much a nutrient in a food serving contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
(Nutrition information is calculated using an ingredient database and should be considered an estimate.)

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