Pimm's Cup is as much a British summer ritual as it is a cocktail. It shows up at Wimbledon, at garden parties, at any gathering where the sun makes even a brief appearance, and it earns its place every time. Pimm's No.1, lemonade and a proper handful of fruit and herbs, it is the drink that turns a garden into an occasion.
This is one I make in big batches the moment the weather turns, and the garnish is doing more work than people realise. Here is how I build one, and why it might be the easiest party cocktail there is.
What Is a Pimm's Cup?
A Pimm's Cup is a light, fruity British cocktail made from Pimm's No.1 and lemonade, served long over ice and loaded with cucumber, strawberry, orange and mint. Pimm's No.1 itself is a gin-based liqueur created in London in the 1840s, originally sold as a digestive tonic before it became one of Britain's most recognisable summer drinks. It is closely associated with events like Wimbledon, where it sells by the hundreds of thousands of glasses every year.
The Pimm's brings a gentle bittersweet, herbal base, the lemonade lengthens it and adds fizz, and the fruit and mint are not just decoration, they genuinely change the flavour as they steep in the glass. It is a drink that gets better the longer you sit with it.
Ingredients
This makes one Pimm's Cup. It is the easiest cocktail on this site to batch, so use the card to scale it up for a proper garden party.
A Few Notes on the Ingredients
Pimm's No.1 is a gin-based liqueur infused with fruit and herbs, and it is the only version of Pimm's you want for a proper Cup. Other Pimm's numbers exist based on different spirits, but No.1 is the one everyone means when they say Pimm's Cup.
Lemonade should be a good clear, fizzy lemonade rather than anything too sweet or syrupy. It needs to lengthen the drink and keep it fresh, not smother the herbal notes from the Pimm's.
The fruit is not just for looks. Cucumber gives a cool, green freshness, strawberry adds sweetness, and orange brings a citrus lift. All three genuinely change the flavour of the drink as they sit and steep, so do not skimp on any of them.
Fresh mint is worth bruising very gently between your fingers before adding it, just enough to release the aroma without shredding the leaves. It adds the final lift that ties the whole drink together.
Variations Worth Trying
- Pimm's Royale: top with sparkling wine instead of lemonade for a more celebratory version.
- Sparkling Pimm's: use a mix of lemonade and ginger ale for extra spice and fizz.
- Berry Pimm's: add a handful of raspberries and blackberries alongside the classic fruit for a deeper, more summery version.
- Apple Pimm's: swap the orange for apple slices for a crisper, more autumnal twist.
Skip the Mixing
A Pimm's Cup is genuinely one of the easiest cocktails to make for a crowd, and there is something lovely about the ritual of slicing all that fruit. It does mean keeping cucumber, strawberries, oranges and mint on hand at the same time as a bottle of Pimm's, which is a lot of prep for one drink. When you want that same sunny, fruity feel with nothing to slice, our Peach On The Beach and the wider Boozy range are ready whenever the sun comes out.
Pimm's Cup FAQs
What is Pimm's Cup made with?
Pimm's No.1 and lemonade, loaded with cucumber, strawberry, orange and mint, served long over ice.
Can you make a Pimm's Cup in a jug?
Yes, it is one of the best cocktails there is for batching. Mix the Pimm's and lemonade with plenty of fruit and mint, and top up with fresh lemonade as the jug empties to keep it lively.
Is Pimm's Cup sweet?
It is fruity and refreshing, but the cucumber and mint keep it from feeling too sweet. It is designed to be light and easy to drink over a long afternoon.
What is Pimm's No.1 made from?
It is a gin-based liqueur infused with fruit and herbs, created in London in the 1840s. It is the specific Pimm's you want for a classic Pimm's Cup.
Why does the fruit matter so much in a Pimm's Cup?
The cucumber, strawberry, orange and mint are not just garnish, they steep in the glass and genuinely change the flavour as you drink. A Pimm's Cup without proper fruit tastes noticeably flatter.
