Pimm's

English·Easy·10 min

A long summer drink built on Pimm's No. 1, a gin-based fruit liqueur, topped with lemonade and loaded with chopped fruit, cucumber and mint. The quintessential drink of British garden parties, Wimbledon and Henley.

Pimm's No. 1 was created around 1823 by London oyster-bar owner James Pimm as a gin-based digestive tonic. 'Pimm's'.

Cool and fizzy, it tastes of citrus, gentle spice and herbal bitterness, lightened by sweet lemonade. The cucumber and mint make it astonishingly refreshing, while the soaked fruit at the bottom becomes a boozy treat.

Diluting the spiced liqueur with carbonated lemonade and plenty of ice makes a low-strength refreshing drink, while macerating fresh fruit and cucumber in it releases their aromas into the whole jug.

Variations

With ginger ale, with prosecco, winter Pimm's with apple juice and spices, Pimm's No. 6 vodka cup, alcohol-free versions

On the Palate

Where Pimm's sits in the British flavor cloud

Ingredients

Serves 6

How it's made

8 steps · 10 min

1
6 min
Wash and slice the strawberries, cucumber and orange, and pick the mint leaves.
2
1 min
Fill a large jug generously with ice cubes.
3
1 min
Pour the Pimm's No. 1 over the ice.
4
1 min
Top up with chilled clear lemonade in roughly three parts lemonade to one part Pimm's.
Watch out
Keep it to roughly three parts lemonade to one Pimm's — heavier on the Pimm's and it turns syrupy and loses its cool, easy-drinking lift.
5
1 min
Add the sliced fruit, cucumber and a handful of mint to the jug.
Watch out
Add the fruit and cucumber early and give them a minute in the jug — that steeping is what floats their fresh aroma through the whole drink.
6
1 min
Stir gently to combine and chill the mixture.
7
2 min
Pour into tall glasses, making sure each gets fruit and mint.
8
1 min
Garnish with extra mint and serve immediately.