A classic Pimm’s Cup is the ultimate refreshing cooler for summer. Garnished with fresh berries and cucumber ribbons, this gin-based cocktail is one worth knowing.

DISCLAIMER
This post may contain affiliate links, meaning Feast + West may receive commissions for purchases made through those links — at no cost to you. All opinions are our own. Please read our full disclosure for more information.
Classic Pimm’s Cup recipe
Summer is quickly approaching and with it, berry season.
I’m all about the berry cocktails, from the strawberry mojito to the raspberry mule.
Another one to add to the mix is the classic Pimm’s Cup, which always gets a garnish of whatever berries are in season, plus cucumber, orange and sometimes mint.
If you love tennis, you should know this cocktail because the Pimm’s Cup the official cocktail of the annual Wimbledon Championships tennis tournament — just as the mint julep is to the Kentucky Derby.
More classic cocktail recipes: Hurricane • Manhattan • Mojito
Why you’ll love this recipe
The Pimm’s Cup is a classic cocktail everyone should know, for a few great reasons:
- It’s a flavorful, refreshing cocktail. Great for a hot summer day.
- Customize it with any fresh berries that are in season.
- Despite over-the-top garnishes, it is a simple recipe.
It’s a great recipe for Mardi Gras, as the cocktail’s American roots are in New Orleans. This British cocktail is also the official

What is a Pimm’s Cup?
A Pimm’s Cup is a classic cocktail made with the gin-based liqueur known as Pimm’s No. 1.
Recognized by its dark brown color and red and white label on the bottle, Pimm’s No. 1 has a spiced citrus flavor.
Both the spirit and the
The
New Orleans is another place to try a Pimm’s Cup. You can order this summery
Tools & glassware
The Pimm’s Cup is usually served in a highball glass or Collins glass, which help to showcase the garnishes of berries and cucumbers.
You will also want a jigger and a bar spoon for making the

Ingredients
Here’s what you need to make a Pimm’s No. 1 Cup:
Pimm’s No. 1
Pimm’s No. 1 is a gin-based liqueur with herbal botanicals and a deep red color. It’s the original spirit for this classic
Nothing compares to its unique flavors, so I wouldn’t recommend substituting anything else (unless you want to try one of the variations below.)
Lemon juice
Lemon juice balances out the deep flavors of Pimm’s liqueur.
I always recommend fresh lemon juice if you have it on hand, but feel free to use a good quality lemon concentrate.
Tip: Room temperature citrus is easier to juice than cold, refrigerated fruit. Set your citrus fruits out on the counter for a couple hours to warm up before juicing them.
Fresh lemonade can be used instead, but I find it makes this cocktail too sweet.
I use one of these citrus squeezers to get the most juice out of my citrus fruits.
favorite juicers



Soda
Pimm’s Cups are bubbly, effervescent cocktails, thanks to the addition of soda.
Usually ginger ale or lemon-lime soda such as 7-Up or Sprite are used. Sparkling lemonade or any other lemon soda will work too.
You could switch things up with homemade ginger ale or use club soda for a skinny version.
Aromatic Bitters
While bitters aren’t usually added to a Pimm’s Cup, they’re a nice additional kick of spice and complexity. Totally optional!
Aromatic bitters are the most common type of bitters and generally contain gentian, quassia, and wild cherry bark.
Angostura bitters is the most popular brand name of these fragrant bitters. Look for its signature oversized label.
However, many other brands are selling their own blends of aromatic bitters. Try them as often — if not more so — than Angostura. Start with the ones from Woodford Reserve or Fee Brothers.

Garnishes
This classic cocktail has a few standard garnishes; you can’t go too overboard. The Pimm’s Cup is known for being a lavishly decorated
Cucumber: Fresh cucumber spears, cucumber slices or thin ribbons of cucumber on a cocktail pick — or wrapped around the glass — are all lovely ways to feature this fragrant garnish.
Berries: You can use whatever is in season, but strawberry slices are classic. Blueberries, blackberries, raspberries or currants will all be lovely.
Mint: A sprig or two of mint adds a bouquet of fresh aromatics, plus it’s so pretty and proper looking. Try it with other herbs like basil or thyme. (If you like to garden, consider growing a cocktail herb garden.)
Orange: An orange slice is also a classic garnish for the Pimm’s Cup. You can also use slices of other types of citrus, like lemon slices or lime slices.

Substitutions
Mix up the Pimm’s Cup a few different ways:
- Try it with different kinds of berries, depending on what’s in season.
- Switch out the ginger ale for ginger beer for a stronger flavor.
- Add a fancy ice cubes, such as flower ice cubes or mint ice cubes.
- Make it lighter with a splash of simple syrup and club soda or lightly flavored sparkling water instead of soda.
- Use strawberry lemonade instead of lemon juice for a bright flavor.

Variations
If you switch up the booze, you can also switch up the name.
Historically, the Pimm’s distillery expanded their range using other spirits as bases for new “cups.” You can try making a fruit cup with any of these:
- Pimm’s No. 2 Cup — made with scotch whisky
- Pimm’s No. 3 Cup — made with brandy (a winter
drink , served warm) - Pimm’s No. 4 Cup — made with dark rum (also served warm)
- Pimm’s No. 5 Cup — made with rye whiskey
- Pimm’s No. 6 Cup — made with vodka
- Pimm’s No. 7 Cup — made with tequila
While these spirits have been on the market at some point, you can try them at home with these liqueurs. They might be worth a try, but the classic is made with the original Pimm’s No. 1 or any of the Pimm’s liqueurs.
Pimm’s Blackberry & Elderflower is another version that would be great in a Pimm’s Cup cocktail.
How to make a Pimm’s Cup
Making a Pimm’s Cup is pretty simple. Here’s what to do:


Fill a highball glass with ice. Top with Pimm’s and lemon juice, then stir.


Top with soda and a couple dashes of bitters.
Then garnish away! The garnishes are the best part. Add berries, thin slices of cucumber, an orange slice and fresh herbs.

Tips & tricks
Use a
Make berry ice cubes with berries frozen inside for an extra special touch.
Multiply the recipe and serve it in a pitcher for a party.
What to serve with a Pimm’s Cup
The refreshing Pimm’s Cup is delightful year-round. Try this popular
As the signature cocktail of Wimbledon, the Pimm’s Cup goes well with other Wimbledon dishes. Try tea sandwiches, Gravlax crostini, quiche and strawberries and cream.
Enjoy one of these coolers with a beignet or a Po’boy for Mardi Gras.

FAQ
A Pimm’s Cup is a cocktail made with Pimm’s No. 1, which is an herbal gin-based liqueur, plus lemon juice and either ginger ale or lemon-lime soda. It’s topped with a bouquet of garnishes, including cucumber ribbons, fresh berries, orange wedges and/or a mint sprig or other fresh herbs.
Pimm’s No. 1 is a gin-based liqueur with lots of herbal, spiced and citrusy flavor.
This gin-based liqueur was originally invented as a tonic to aid digestion. However, Pimm’s No. 1 mixes beautifully with lemonade.
More classic cocktails
— Did you make this recipe? —
Please leave a ★★★★★ review or comment below.

Pimm’s No. 1 Cup
ingredients
- 2 ounces Pimm’s No. 1 liqueur
- ½ ounce lemon juice
- 6 ounces ginger ale or lemon-lime soda
- 2 dashes Angostura bitters
- cucumber ribbon or cucumber spear, for garnish
- strawberries or other fresh berries, for garnish
- sprigs of mint for garnish
instructions
- Fill a highball glass with ice. Top with Pimm’s and lemon juice, then stir.
- Top with soda and a couple of dashes of bitters.
- Garnish with cucumber, fresh berries, orange slices and fresh mint.
notes
- Try it with different kinds of berries, depending on what’s in season.
- Switch out the ginger ale for ginger beer for a stronger flavor.
- Add fancy ice cubes, such as flower ice cubes or mint ice cubes.
- Make it lighter with a splash of simple syrup and club soda or lightly flavored sparkling water instead of soda.
- Use strawberry lemonade instead of lemon juice for a bright flavor.
recommended products
As an Amazon Associate and member of other affiliate programs, I earn from qualifying purchases.
Leave a Reply