Ultimate Pimm’s
- Published: 15 May 25
- Updated: 26 May 25
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.
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1 large jug -
Hands-on time 5 min
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Before you start
Make sure you have plenty of ice in the freezer – Pimm’s requires lots of ice cubes and the first step of the recipe relies on filling a jug half-full with fruit and ice.
Recipe from August 2015 Issue
delicious. tips
To vary things, you could try sliced plums, summer berries, orange wedges, passion fruit pulp or pineapple slices.
Instead of gin, try Cointreau – it’s much stronger in flavour so be sure to add it bit by bit.
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