It’s Pimm’s o’clock! Take part in a time-honored British tradition and make a Pimm’s Cup—a gin-based cocktail made with lemonade and garnished with loads of fruit.
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I am SUCH a tourist! The first time I visited London, England, I had to see all the sites: Buckingham Palace, Westminster Abbey, Hyde Park… the lot. I wanted to walk the Strand and see a West End musical, go for high tea at someplace posh, AND I wanted to spend an afternoon relaxing at an authentic pub. Of course, for that last one, I was spoiled for choice. They are on every corner. So I closed my eyes and pointed somewhere on a map and went to the closest drinking establishment.
My goal was to have a proper pint but, having arrived at 4 in the afternoon on a beautiful summer’s day (yes, London does occasionally have sunny days), I was stunned to see so many radiant beverages chockablock with tasty fruit inside. This was my introduction to a Pimm’s Cup. I ordered one and grabbed a seat outside. Then I ordered another. They reminded me of a sangria, what with all the fruit and the dangerously easy way they go down.
Once back Stateside, I sought out a bottle of Pimm’s No. 1 (more on that later) and set about making a pitcher. It’s now become a Friday afternoon tradition, when my husband will invariably turn to me and ask, “What time is it?” to which I reply with glee, “It’s Pimm’s o’ clock!”
How many Types of Pimm’s Are there?
Throughout the years, the Pimm’s distillery has produced seven types of liqueurs, separated by their base spirit. They’ve all come and gone, save for No. 1, which uses gin, a very British base. The last to be discontinued was a vodka-based liqueur, a.k.a., No. 6. It was released in 1964 and lasted till 1970. It was then re-released in 2004 but was discontinued in 2021. Other bases included scotch (No. 2), brandy (No. 3), dark rum (No. 4), rye or Canadian whisky (No. 5), and tequila (No. 7).
Can I Substitute Pimm’s No. 1 with Something Else?
Pimm’s No. 1 is a gin-based liqueur so your best bet would be to find a gin (or gin-based liqueur) with the same floral notes as the Pimm’s. Vodka could be used, as it is a neutral spirit that will let the fruit flavors shine. I would also suggest white wine or prosecco, though you’d be getting close to pouring yourself a white sangria.
Pimm’s Cup Cocktail Recipe
Ingredients
- 2 oz. Pimm’s No.1
- 3 oz. Lemonade
- 1 slice Cucumber
- Mint leaves
- Strawberry slices
- Orange slices
Instructions
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Pour in the Pimm’s No.1 into a highball glass.
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Fill the glass with ice cubes and then pour in the Lemonade.
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Garnish with a slice of cucumber, a few mint leaves, strawberry slices, and orange slices for a nice fruity taste and visual appeal.
Nutrition
FAQs & Tips
Use a highball; they are slender, which forces the garnishes to press up against the sides and makes it seem like it’s going to explode from an overabundance of fruit! Speaking of garnish, they play a big part in a Pimm’s Cup. The cucumber, orange, mint, and strawberries are the bare minimum. You can also add berries, apple slices, herbs, ginger slices, and edible flowers. Experiment with different combos and find your favorite.
A Pimm’s Cup, like a sangria, is usually prepared in a pitcher and shared among friends. So, yes, I encourage you to make it ahead of the arrival of guests. As well, the longer the fruit sits in the liquid, the more intense the flavor!
There are 299 calories in this Pimm’s Cup. As with most cocktails, you have the alcohol to thank for most of those, though the lemonade, being so sugary, is also calorically dense. If that number is too high for your liking, try switching out the lemonade for real lemon juice and soda water, or diet lemon-lime soda.
It’s a slogan and part of an advertising campaign launched in 2003. It proved so popular, the brand became “cool” even among those who didn’t frequent Wimbledon or the Chelsea Flower Show, two annual events that call Pimm’s Cups their official drinks. These days you’ll still hear it uttered in pubs, though I’m not sure they’re saying it in jest or are genuinely excited to get their lips round a highball of Pimm’s. I choose to believe the latter.
Remember how I said a few questions ago, the longer the fruit sits in the liquid, the stronger the flavor? Well, that has limits. If you are planning on saving your Pimm’s for another day, remove the fruit and garnishes. Otherwise, they’ll turn mushy and won’t be as nice. Pour the liquid into an airtight container (like a mason jar) and store it in the fridge for a day or so. When you want more, add fresh fruit and cucumber and give it a good stir.
Yes. In fact, depending on who you talk to, they’ll tell you a proper Pimm’s Cup has some non-alcoholic bubbles, whether that’s ginger ale, lemon-lime soda, or a combination of lemonade and club soda. When I’m making a Pimm’s Cup for myself, I tend to stick to flat lemonade, but will add some spritz to a pitcher when I’m expecting guests and plan to entertain out in the sun where the effervescence of the bubbles will be appreciated.
Pimm’s Cup Cocktail Variations
- Pimm’s Cup Spritz: Half the lemonade and replace it with prosecco.
- Pimm’s Royale: Now we’re getting fancy, as we add orange liqueur (e.g., Grand Marnier) and prosecco. The garnishes are reduced to just strawberries but the garnishes are half the fun of a Pimm’s so I tend to leave them be.
- Pimm’s Gin Cocktail: Up the gin ante by using Pimm’s and your choice of gin. Intensify the fruit flavors with a squirt of grenadine.
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