Pimm’s Cup Recipe

In the early aughts, I found myself trying all sorts of classic cocktails for the first time. Maybe it was turning 30, maybe it was being in a flavor rut, maybe it was hanging out in a different part of town (Bayview, here’s to you), but whatever it was it dramatically expanded my cocktail horizons.

One such drink I discovered was Pimm’s Cup, and it’s so light, refreshing, and easy to make. It’s a drink that has stuck with me and I now make it at home.

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Who is Pimm’s and what’s in his cup?

As the story goes, a British man named James Pimm developed Pimm’s No.1 to serve at his bar in the mid-1800s. Gin-based and made with botanicals, the exact ingredients of Pimm’s No. 1 is still a secret to this day, and although gin-based it does not have an overwhelming gin flavor profile. At one point there were up to 6 Pimm’s elixirs (each number with a different base, No.1 being gin and No. 6 being vodka), but all have been phased out except the original, Pimm’s No. 1.

While exactly what goes into a Pimm’s Cup can vary by recipe, it always starts with Pimm’s No.1, is topped off with clear soda, and includes some sort of fruit garnish. I kind of like to think of it as an English sangria in the way that you get to drink the delicious cocktail, and then have the fruit at the end as a cherry (or strawberry) on top.

Clearly, it was popular in the mid-1800s and it had a resurgence with the Wimbledon crowd once the first Pimm’s bar opened at the tournament in the 70s. Even if you aren’t a tennis fan, Pimm’s Cup is a delightfully refreshing summer cocktail.

Enjoy!

Recommended Tools to Make Pimm’s Cup

• Metal Straw | By this point we all know that plastic straws are bad for the environment, right? We can do better. I love using metal straws since paper gets soggy and glass has the potential to break. And when it’s a metal straw for a cold drink, even better as the drink gets cooler as it transports through the straw. These are very affordable, come with a straw cleaner, their own pouch (handy for storage), and a quality 18/8 stainless steel (don’t want rust to get on your straw now do you?).

Pimm’s Cup Recipe

Servings: 1

Ingredients

• 2 oz. Pimm’s No. 1
• 4 oz. ginger beer
• squeeze of lemon
• Strawberry (garnish)
• Cucumber (garnish)
• Ice

Directions

1. Fill highball (tall) glass 3/4 of the way full with ice
2. Add sliced cucumber and strawberry garnish to the glass
3. Add Pimm’s No. 1, ginger beer, and a squeeze of lemon (about 1 tsp)
4. Mix with a metal straw

Tips:

• I like to get a high-quality ginger beer that has real ginger in it and no artificial flavor or sweeteners, Fever-Tree is my favorite.
• A common substitution for ginger beer is lemon soda (must be carbonated). Fever-Tree makes a lemon soda (can you tell I love their mixers) but it can be tricky to find, so stock up if you can. Otherwise, San Pellegrino Limonata is more readily available.
• Another substitution for ginger beer is a lemon-lime soda like Sprite, a little too sweet for me, but you may like it.

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More cocktails to try:

Brandy Old Fashioned Sweet

Strawberry Mint Champagne Cocktail

Frozen Mango Margarita

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