Pimm's Cup

The Pimm's Cup is a famously refreshing and fruity long drink, synonymous with British summertime, garden parties, and the Wimbledon tennis tournament. It is a gin-based fruit cup liqueur mixed with a carbonated beverage, typically lemonade (the British, fizzy kind) or ginger ale. The drink is characteristically garnished with a vibrant medley of fresh ingredients, such as mint, cucumber, orange, and strawberries, making it as much a visual delight as a thirst-quenching one.
Pimm's Cup

Preparation

Preparation time: 3 minutes

Preparation time
Difficulty

Drink Classification

The Pimm's Cup is classified as a long drink or highball cocktail. It is a refreshing, low-alcohol cocktail typically served in a tall glass. It's considered a classic British summer beverage.

Serving

Served cold with plenty of ice in a tall Highball or Collins glass, this is a relatively large and low-alcohol drink. It's also commonly made in large pitchers for sharing.
Serving size
Approximately 250-300 ml / 8.5-10 oz
Alcohol content
Low, typically 5-8% ABV
Alcohol strength
Serving temperature
Cold
Glass type
Highball or Collins glass
Glass treatment
None

Backstory

Pimm's No. 1 was created in the 1840s by James Pimm, an oyster bar owner in London, as a gin-based tonic to aid digestion. He served it in a small tankard known as a "No. 1 Cup," which gave the drink its name. Its popularity grew, especially after it began being served at Wimbledon in 1971, cementing its status as the ultimate British summer drink.
Origin
London, England, circa 1840s.

Pimm's Cup

The drink is most commonly known as Pimm's Cup. Its full, original name is Pimm's No. 1 Cup, referring to the specific gin-based liqueur used. There are no other widely recognized alternative names for this classic British cocktail.
Original name
Pimm's Cup
Alternative name
Pimm's No. 1 Cup

Characteristics overview

The Pimm's Cup offers a refreshing bouquet of mint, cucumber, and fruit on the nose, leading to a light, fruity, and herbal flavor. It has a balanced sweetness and a clean, crisp finish, making it a perfect thirst-quencher for summer.
Flavor
Fruity, herbal, subtly spiced, refreshing, citrusy, sweet
Aroma
Minty, fruity, fresh cucumber, herbal
Taste balance
Sweet, slightly bitter, slightly sour
Aftertaste
Clean, refreshing, short, herbal
Fizziness
Lightly carbonated, bubbly
Color appearance
Amber, reddish-brown, clear, filled with colorful garnishes
Texture
Light, crisp, watery
Seasonality
Highly refreshing, summery

Flavor intensity & Experience

This drink is moderately sweet and very fruity, with low bitterness, sourness, and alcohol strength. Its pleasant fizziness adds to its refreshing character.
Sweetness
Saltiness
Sourness
Bitterness
Spiciness
Fruitiness
Creaminess
Carbonation

Ingredients

The base ingredients are Pimm's No. 1 liqueur and a carbonated mixer like fizzy lemonade or ginger ale. A generous amount of fresh garnishes, including mint, cucumber, orange, and strawberries, is essential to the drink's character.
  • Pimm's No. 1 Cup50 ml / 2 oz
    The essential base of the drink.
  • Lemonade150 ml / 5 oz
    Use British-style fizzy lemonade. Ginger ale or ginger beer are common substitutes.
  • Mint1 sprig
    Essential for the classic aroma and taste.
  • Cucumber1-2 slices
    Provides a signature fresh, cool flavor.
  • Orange1 slice
    Adds a touch of citrus sweetness.
  • Strawberries1-2, hulled and sliced
    Adds a fruity, summery flavor and color.

Ice type

  • Cubed

Mixing equipments

No special equipment is needed beyond a bar spoon for a gentle stir. A knife and cutting board are necessary for preparing the fresh fruit and cucumber garnishes.
  • Bar spoon for gentle stirring.
  • Knife and cutting board for preparing garnishes.

Instructions

To make a Pimm's Cup, simply fill a glass with ice and fresh garnishes, add Pimm's No. 1, and top with lemonade or ginger ale. A gentle stir is all that's needed to mix it before serving.
1. Fill a highball glass to the top with ice cubes.
2. Add the fresh garnishes: a few mint leaves, a slice of cucumber, a slice of orange, and a halved strawberry.
3. Pour 50 ml (2 oz) of Pimm's No. 1 Cup over the ice and garnishes.
4. Top up with 150 ml (5 oz) of chilled lemonade or ginger ale.
5. Gently stir with a bar spoon to combine the ingredients without losing carbonation.
6. Serve immediately and enjoy.

Garnishing

The garnish is integral to the Pimm's Cup, not just decorative. A generous mix of fresh mint, cucumber, orange, and strawberries is added directly to the glass, often referred to as a 'fruit salad'.
  • A generous mix of fresh mint, cucumber slices, orange slices, and strawberries placed directly in the glass.

Dietary Information

This cocktail is alcoholic but generally free from common allergens like caffeine, dairy, eggs, nuts, and gluten. It is suitable for both vegan and vegetarian diets.
✓ Contains alcohol
✓ Caffeine-free
✓ Dairy-free
✓ Egg-free
✓ Soy-free
✓ Nut-free
✓ Gluten-free
✓ Vegan-friendly
✓ Vegetarian-friendly

Nutrition information

A single Pimm's Cup is relatively low in calories, with most coming from the sugar in the Pimm's liqueur and the lemonade mixer. The carbohydrate and sugar content can vary based on the mixer used.
Calories
Averagely 150-180 kcal / 628-753 kJ
Calories level
Carbohydrates
Averagely 15-20 g
Carbohydrate level
Sugar
Averagely 15-20 g
Sugar level

Occasions

The Pimm's Cup is the perfect drink for warm weather and outdoor social gatherings. It is ideally suited for summer parties, barbecues, picnics, and watching sporting events. Its refreshing nature makes it a popular choice for daytime drinking.
  • Summer parties
  • Garden parties
  • Picnics
  • Barbecues
  • Watching sports

Pairing suggestions

The Pimm's Cup pairs wonderfully with classic British summer fare. Think afternoon tea items like cucumber sandwiches and scones, or light dishes for a barbecue such as salads and grilled chicken. It also complements cheese and fruit platters perfectly.
  • Cucumber sandwiches
  • Scones with jam and cream
  • Light salads
  • Grilled chicken or fish
  • Cheese platters

The Pimm's Cup: A Taste of British Summertime

The Pimm's Cup is the quintessential British summer tipple, a refreshing and easy-to-make highball cocktail. Its base is the gin-based liqueur Pimm's No. 1, which is mixed with fizzy lemonade or ginger ale. The drink's defining characteristic is its generous "fruit salad" garnish of mint, cucumber, orange, and strawberries, which infuses it with fresh, vibrant flavors. It's a low-alcohol, highly quaffable drink perfect for garden parties, picnics, and lazy sunny afternoons.

You May Also Like

Greyhound

A simple and refreshingly tart highball cocktail made with grapefruit juice and either vodka or gin.

Bahama Mama

A fruity, rum-based tropical cocktail that evokes the feeling of a Caribbean vacation.

Hemingway Daiquiri

A tart, complex, and refreshing rum-based cocktail created for author Ernest Hemingway, featuring grapefruit, lime, and maraschino liqueur.

Gin Mojito

A refreshing and aromatic twist on the classic Mojito, substituting crisp gin for rum.

Have You Tried These Yet?

Pollyanna Cocktail

A sophisticated, spirit-forward classic cocktail balancing the warmth of bourbon with herbal Bénédictine and dry vermouth.

Reversed Manhattan

A vermouth-forward twist on the classic Manhattan, offering a lighter, more aromatic experience.

Alice in Wonderland

A potent and whimsical cocktail combining tequila with a double dose of orange liqueur for a sweet, citrus-forward experience.

Rusty Compass

A refreshing and spicy bourbon highball that perfectly balances sweet pineapple, tart lime, and warm cinnamon-ginger notes.