Pimm’s Cup

Pimm’s Cup is a British cocktail synonymous with summer in Britain and tennis at Wimbledon where it is the official drink of the tournament and served by the pitcher.

A Pimm’s Cup is what’s known as a ‘built drink’ where everything is made in the glass. It’s made with Pimm’s No. 1, a gin-based liqueur. It’s mixed with lemonade or ginger ale and includes fresh cucumber, citrus fruits, and strawberries. It’s garnished with a sprig of mint.

A sweet, fruity and refreshing-tasting punch. Pimm’s No. 1 is rich, herbal and fruity, while the lemonade or ginger ale adds both a mild sweetness and effervescence. All in all, it drinks very much like a fruity and spicy soft drink.

The origins of the Pimm’s Cup traces back to an oyster bar in London during the 1840s. The establishment became famous for its seafood and a drink made with Pimm’s No. 1, a gin-based digestif that was invented in the 1800s, together with herbs, fruits, and spices. At the time, it was (erroneously) introduced as a digestive aid. 

As its popularity grew, the drink was bottled for home enjoyment, leading to the expansion of Pimm’s Oyster Houses across London, each offering unique versions of the Pimm’s Cup.

Over time, new versions of Pimm’s No. 1 were created, each identified by a unique number. Pimm’s No. 2 through No. 6 featured different bases: Scotch whisky, brandy, rum, rye whiskey, and vodka, respectively (though not all still exist today).

The Pimm’s Cup is synonymous with the UK summertime and today it’s enjoyed all over the world.

• Fresh fruit
  While it may seem obvious, using fresh fruits in your Pimm’s Cup is essential for the best flavor.

  We suggest sticking to tradition by including freshly chopped cucumber, lemon, orange, and strawberries, and finishing with a mint sprig garnish.

• Give everything a good stir
  Once you’ve ‘built’ your drink in the glass, be sure to give everything a good stir so all the flavors have a chance to blend.

• Use ginger ale instead of lemon-lime soda
  You’ll notice that the recipe you’ll find on this page includes lemon-lime soda. However, in the video, you’ll see that we use ginger ale. It all comes down to personal preference.

  Ginger ale adds a sweetness and spiciness while the lemon-lime soda adds sweet, citrusy taste. Both are delicious – try them both and see which you prefer!

• The best of both worlds
  Why choose one when you can enjoy both? Go 50-50 and mix ginger ale with lemon-lime soda.

  Our recipe originally calls for 120 ml (4 parts) of lemon-lime soda, so simply split it into 60 ml (2 parts) of ginger ale and 60 ml (2 parts) of lemon-lime soda.

• Use ginger beer instead
  If you want your Pimm’s Cup to be spicier, swap ginger ale for ginger beer for some extra zing.

• Serve your Pimm’s Cup in a tall glass, like a highball glass, to comfortably fit the ginger ale or lemonade along with all the fruit pieces.

• While the fruit pieces in a Pimm’s Cup might seem sufficient, a sprig of mint adds the perfect finishing touch, enhancing the drink with a refreshing minty aroma as you sip.