How to Make the Perfect Pimm’s Cup – the Quintessentially #1 British Summertime Cocktail

Last updated: 30 July 2023

Aside from the classic pint, there’s nothing the Brits love more than a Pimm’s cup in summer.  

Quintessentially British, classic Pimm’s or cocktails with Pimm’s No 1, are brightly coloured festively adorned with a garden worth of fruit and sprigs of mint. Pimm’s is inextricably connected to British garden parties, summer BBQs, croquet lawns, polo matches, and epitomises events like Royal Ascot, the Chelsea Flower Show, the Henley Royal Regatta and of course Wimbledon.

Pimm’s was first produced by James Pimm in the 1820’s who owned and ran an Oyster Bar in the City of London. Marketed as a digestif tonic, containing a secret mixture of herbs and liqueurs, it was sold to aid digestion.

Pimm’s is a gin-based fruit cup of tawny colour with a reddish tint, and subtle flavours of quinine and indeterminable fruits and spices. What’s it made from? Well, I can’t tell you, because nobody really knows. The full recipe is shrouded in secret.

How to Make the Perfect Pimm’s Cup

According to the official Pimm’s recipe, a perfect Pimm’s cup is made with Pimm’s No 1 and lemonade at a 1:3 ratio, add freshly cut strawberry, orange & cucumber and finish with a sprig of mint.

I personally like a 1:4 ratio, and 50/50 mix of lemonade and sparkling water for the effervescence without the overwhelming sweet aftertaste. Add ice and garden proportions of pre-cut fruit for a punch-like concoction.

Give it a stir with a swizzle stick or a spoon, and drink with a paper or reusable straw.

Ta Da! It’s Pimm’s o’clock.

The Perfect Pimm's Cup

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Total Time: 10 minutes

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Ingredients

• 200ml Pimm’s No.1 (25% ABV)
• 300ml lemonade
• 300ml sparkling water
• 8 sliced strawberries
• 4 orange slices
• 4 slices of cucumber rounds
• 2 big sprigs of mint

Instructions

1. Chill the jugs glasses, Pimm’s No 1 in the fridge prior to use
2. Pour in the Pimm’s No.1 
3. Add lemonade and sparkling water
4. Add the fruit of your choosing - strawberries, orange and cucumber and stir 
5. Top with a sprig of mint and serve.

Notes

Alternatives

You can swap out fruit although the holy trinity of cucumber, strawberry, and orange is said to be the perfect mix.

You can also substitute the main liquid to your own taste. If you like the drink less sweet, consider swapping lemonade for ginger ale, tonic water or sparkling water which are all viable options. 

Champagne, or a sparkling white wine to make a Pimm's Royal Cup, while adding warm apple juice will turn your Pimm's Cup into a Pimm's Winter Cup.

To Pimp It

You can shove as much pre-cut exotic fruit into your Pimm's as you like. There are so many different recipes for the perfect Pimm’s, my advice is to make it your own by pimping it to your own taste.

These suggestions are tried and tested:

• Berries of any kind though raspberries and/or blueberries are my personal fave
• Borage
• Pomegranate 
• Sliced apple* 
• Lemon
• Lime
• Additional spirits - Vodka or a subtle gin

How to Ruin Your Pimm’s

Premade Pimm’s especially at many busy London pubs or pop-up events where you may encounter weak, saccharine Pimm’s garnished with just a wedge of orange. Gasp! 

Best practice is to add ice cubes to your glass, not the jug, this will ensure the Pimm’s combo remains balanced and not watery.

Whatever you do, don't add the lemonade early. The result will be a flat Pimm’s.

*Sliced apple works well only when it’s crunchy. Add it as a garnish to glasses rather than the jug otherwise it can turn into a mushy mess at the bottom.

Want More Recipes? How about the Perfect Snack?

Now that you’ve made your perfect Pimm’s Cup, you may be interested in the perfect snack to go along with it so why not check out this recipe for Easy Australian Sausage Rolls! We love this recipe, and yes it might be because we grew up eating them but we very sure you’re going to love them too! Let us know what you think!