Apr 12, 2016

Classic Pimm’s Cup Cocktail Recipe – Refreshing Summer Drink

Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 0 minutes
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A Pimm's cup is a refreshing summer cocktail made with Pimm's, lemon juice, simple syrup and fresh fruit. It's also the drink of Wimbledon.
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Also known as a Pimm’s & lemonade, it’s the official drink of Wimbledon often paired with a cup of strawberries and cream. Does it get any classier than tennis whites? Of course this cocktail is also popular at other summer events like festivals and other social gatherings. Pimm’s® No. 1 cup is a British liquor based on gin that is light and can even be bought in cans already mixed with lemonade. Unfortunately I haven’t been able to find the cans in the states so I made this recipe for those hot summer days. I also provide a non-alcoholic alternative below! For more tennis inspired drinks check out the US Open’s official drink, the Honey Deuce, here.

Pimm’s Cup

Key Ingredients in This Recipe

  • Pimm’s – Pimm’s is a British gin-based liqueur mixed with spices and quinine made with 25% alcohol. The liquor is made with herbal botanicals, caramelized orange, and a blend of spices (though the combination is closely guarded by the brand). If you can’t find it, Serious Eats provides a recipe for making your own at home here.
  • Simple syrup – Simple syrup is made by boiling equal parts sugar and water to form a sticky, smooth syrup that will mix easily into cocktails. The simple syrup can be easily made ahead of time to cut down on prep time. This is also beneficial since you want it to cool before mixing it into the drink so it doesn’t melt the frozen drink. Store it, refrigerated in an airtight container for up to two weeks in advance
  • Fruit – I add a mix of strawberries, cucumber and oranges slices with mint sprigs as it’s typically served though you can substitute any combination of fruit desired.
Pimm's Cup with fresh strawberries cucumber and orange slices in a crystal high ball glass

How to Make This Pimm’s Cup Recipe

  1. Add ingredients over ice. Add the Pimm’s, simple syrup, and lemon to a highball glass filled with ice.
  2. Stir and add fruit. Stir and pile in the slices of strawberry, orange and cucumber.
  3. Garnish and serve. Garnish with a sprig of mint.
Refreshing Pimm’s Cup cocktail with cucumber and mint

Tips and Tricks for This Recipe

How to make non-alcoholic Pimm’s cup

To make this recipe on-alcoholic, substitute cold-brewed black tea for the 2 ounces of Pimm’s No. 1 in the recipe below.

Swaps and Substitutions
  • Swap the cucumber, strawberry and orange for other seasonal fruit. Stone fruit like peach slices and blackberries also work well.

How to Make Simple Syrup

Making simple syrup is incredibly easy and only takes a combination of sugar and water. In a small saucepan over medium heat, whisk together sugar with 1 cup of water until the sugar has dissolved. Bring to a boil then lower heat to medium-low and simmer until thick and syrupy, about 15 minutes. Remove from heat and let cool completely. 

Other Recipes to Try

If you enjoy this Pimm’s cup recipe, I recommend checking out some of these:

Pimm’s Cup

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Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 0 minutes
Serves 1

Ingredients:

  • 2 ounces Pimm’s No. 1 cup®
  • 6 tablespoons freshly squeezed lemon juice
  • 2 ounces simple syrup
  • cucumber, thinly sliced, as needed
  • strawberry, sliced, as needed
  • orange slices, as needed
  • mint sprigs, for garnish

Instructions:

  • Add the Pimm’s, simple syrup, and lemon to a highball glass filled with ice.
  • Stir and pile in the slices of strawberry, orange and cucumber.
  • Garnish with a sprig of mint.

Notes:

*To make this recipe non-alcoholic substitute cold-brewed black tea for the Pimm’s.

Nutrition:

Calories: 314kcal | Carbohydrates: 48g | Protein: 0.3g | Fat: 0.2g | Saturated Fat: 0.04g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.02g | Monounsaturated Fat: 0.01g | Sodium: 34mg | Potassium: 129mg | Fiber: 0.3g | Sugar: 44g | Vitamin A: 5IU | Vitamin C: 35mg | Calcium: 13mg | Iron: 2mg
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