This ultimate Pimm’s recipe takes the traditional summer cup recipe to the next level. We’ve added a splash of gin and ginger ale to the classic lemonade-based recipe, along with nectarines and cherries, to make the ultimate summer cocktail.
- History of Pimm’s: Pimm’s was first created in 1840 by James Pimm, who sold the gin-based liqueur at his London oyster bar. The recipe remains a secret but is known to include spices, botanicals and caramelised orange.
- Classic British summer drink: You’ll often find Pimm’s at garden parties, weddings and barbecues in the UK; it’s a popular drink for daytime celebrations. It’s also known for its association with the Wimbledon tennis tournament, with celebrities often spotted sipping it court-side.
- The traditional recipe: There are several variations on Pimm’s available for sale, but the most well-known is the No.1, which is used to make the popular Pimm’s No.1 Cup cocktail. This combines 1 part Pimm’s with 3 parts lemonade, garnished with mint, cucumber, strawberries and orange. Plenty of ice is essential, too.
- How to jazz it up: We suggest adding gin and ginger ale for a punchier flavour, while juicy nectarine slices and summer cherries amp up the fruity factor. Tiny blue, star-shaped borage flowers are a fantastic addition to Pimm’s too if you can find them, adding visual interest and a subtle cucumber-like taste.
Prefer something with a little spritz? Try our Pimm’s fizz made with sparkling wine.
Ingredients
- 3 nectarines
- 200g cherries
- ½ cucumber
- 1 large bunch fresh mint
- Lots of ice
- Pimm’s
- Gin
- Ginger ale
- Lemonade
- Borage flowers
Method
- To make a large jug, stone and slice the nectarines and cherries. Halve and slice the cucumber, then put all the fruit and cucumber in a jug with a large bunch of fresh mint and lots of ice so the jug is half full.
- Pour in equal amounts of Pimm’s and gin until the jug is two thirds full, then top up with half ginger ale and half lemonade.
- Garnish with borage flowers if you can find them (they’re available in large supermarkets and they grow well in gardens or pots).
FAQs
Pimm’s recommends mixing 1 part Pimm’s No.1 to three parts lemonade to make a traditional Pimm’s No.1 Cup cocktail. Strawberries, orange slices, mint leaves and cucumber are added to garnish – along with plenty of ice. We suggest adding gin and ginger ale to the mix for an even more sophisticated drink.
Made to a secret recipe, Pimm’s No.1 (the most well-known of the Pimm’s drinks available) is a gin-based liqueur. It’s flavoured with spices, botanicals and caramelised orange.
Lemonade is the traditional mixer used to make a Pimm’s No.1 Cup cocktail. Ginger ale is also popular; this drink is called a Gentleman’s Mule. We suggest using a mixture of the two for the best of both worlds.
Yes: you’ll find a recipe on the delicious. site for Pimm’s fizz, which replaces some of the lemonade of the traditional recipe with sparkling wine.
Sliced strawberries, along with cucumber slices, mint leaves and orange slices are traditional. But the sky is the limit: we suggest adding nectarine slices and cherries. See the Tips section for more ideas.
Pimm’s is a long drink and is best served in a tall collins or highball glass. These glasses will accommodate all the drink’s fruity garnishes, too.
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