Name: Pimms Cup Cocktail
Prep time: 5 min
Total time: 5 min
Yield: 2
Cuisine: British
Ingredients: 6 slices cucumber; juice of 1 lemon; 4 oz pimms; 8 oz sprite or other fizzy soda-style lemonade; sprig of mint or basil; ice

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Looking for a great cocktail that is easy to make and perfect to cool down with? The classic Pimms Cup cocktail is light, crisp, slightly sweet, fizzy and so delicious – a summer classic.

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Gin & Lemonade Cocktail

Pimm’s is a gin-based fruit liqueur that is incredibly popular in England (especially southern England), that has a dark reddish color and an herbal flavor with notes of citrus. Pimm’s was established in 1823, when the owner of an oyster bar (named Pimm) created a tonic he’d serve out of a “Numer 1 cup” that helped to aid in digestion – and the Pimm’s Cup was born!

Pimm’s Cups are the unofficial drink of Wimbledon and the Chelsea Flower Show – a classic London cocktail for their short summer season – that is often mixed with British-style lemonade (lemon-lime soda, like Sprite) citrus, fruit garnishes, cucumber, and mint or other herbs.

Note on lemonade: we’re going to be calling Sprite lemonade in this recipe. One thing that surprised me about traveling to Europe is that when you order lemonade, you’re often served a fizzy lemon soda – not the lemon and sugar drink Americans think of when we’re thinking lemonade. So when referring to lemonade below, think Sprite.

Check out my web story about these delicious Pimm’s Cup cocktails.

How to Make a Pimms Cup

To make a Pimm’s Cup, you’ll need the following ingredients:

Cucumber
Ice
Pimm’s No 1
Sprite, 7up, or other lemon lime soda (British-style lemonade)

picture of cucumber, lemon lime soda, pimms, mint, lemon on a table

picture of sliced cucumber on a cutting board

picture of lemon slices and ice in a glass

picture of cucumber slices, ice, and pimms in a glass

Next follow this method:

Slice cucumber. I like to remove part of the peel from a cucumber before slicing for a bit of extra decorative flair – entirely optional, but it only takes a few seconds and can make a great impact!
Add ice and lightly muddled mint or basil to glass. Add ice to a glass, along with mint or basil sprigs. Press back of spoon against herbs in glass to lightly release aroma.
Pour pimms. Add pimms, swirling over herbs and ice as you pour.
Top with lemonade. Use Sprite, 7-up, or other lemon lime soda (British-style lemonade) to top the glass.
Stir to mix. Make sure your pimms and lemon lime soda mix well.
Enjoy!

Tips and Tricks to a Perfect Pimms Cup & FAQs

Use other herbs. Mint is traditional for Pimms Cups, but you can use basil, as we have, thyme, rosemary – whatever you have fresh or love the flavor of.

Mix in fruit. Fresh berries, slices of citrus, pomegranate arils all make amazing additions to a Pimms Cup.

Use ginger ale. Try this recipe with ginger ale instead of Pimms.

Make a Glasgow Garden Party. Try this drink with my husband’s favorite soda, Irn Bru, the Scottish favorite fizzy drink!

Other Cocktails You’ll Love

If you love this drink, be sure to try our Easy Frozen Gin and Tonic, a delicious and lightly sweet Pear and Gin Fizz Cocktail, a delicious Easy Peach Margarita!

Find more of our favorite easy drinks recipes here: