Pimm's Cup

Name: Pimm's Cup
Prep time: 3 min
Total time: 3 min
Yield: 1 serving
Ingredients: 50 ml / 2 oz Pimm's No. 1 Cup; 150 ml / 5 oz Lemonade; 1 sprig Mint; 1-2 slices Cucumber; 1 slice Orange; 1-2, hulled and sliced Strawberries

Ingredients Instructions

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.

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.