Before we went to New Orleans I did some research to find out the classic New Orleans cocktails we just had to try. The Pimm's Cup is one of the recipes I saw referenced often.
Pimm's Cup Recipe
This cocktail is refreshing and light. It has a great flavor while not being overwhelming. This Pimm's Cup Recipe is super easy to make and a drink everyone will enjoy.
During our romantic weekend getaway to New Orleans, I made sure to try a classic Pimm's Cup cocktail along with other great New Orleans Cocktails. The city is filled with amazing bartenders that can whip up a classic and new-age cocktail for you.
This cocktail is refreshing and light. It has a great flavor without being overwhelming. This Pimm's Cup Recipe is easy to make and a drink everyone will enjoy.
I tried a Pimm's Cup alongside other great New Orleans Cocktails during our romantic weekend getaway to New Orleans. The amazing bartenders throughout the city can whip up classic and new-age cocktails for you.
The history of the Pimm's Cup Cocktail is fantastic. London bar owner James Pimm created the digestif as a health drink in the mid-1800s.
The drink became popular around the world and is now a favorite at Wimbledon tennis tournament where a Pimm's Bar opened in 1971.
The combination of lemon juice, cucumber, ginger ale, and fruit is always a good idea. The flavors are so refreshing especially with the Pimm's No 1 which is based on gin with a secret blend of fruits, spices, and herbal botanicals.
I found it interesting that there have been other varieties of Pimm's all numbered with different based. Example Pimm's No 5 was rye whiskey based, Pimm's No 6 used vodka, Pimm's No 3 used brandy, Pimms No 4 used rum, and Pimms No 2 used a Scotch base.
Prior to researching this cocktail I had only heard of Pimm's No. 1.
Ingredients
Here is a quick overview of the simple ingredients needed to make an epic Pimm’s Cup Drink! The printable recipe card at the bottom of the post includes specific measurements and step-by-step instructions.
- English Cucumber
- Lemon
- Pimm’s No. 1
- 7-Up, Lemon-Lime Soda, or Ginger Ale
- Lemon Twist
Equipment Needed
- Highball Glass for Serving
- Muddler (usually comes with a Home Mixology Kit)
How to Make a Pimm’s Cup
I've included complete instructions in the printable recipe card at the bottom of the post, but here's a quick version.
- Gently muddle the cucumber and lemon slices in a chilled highball glass.
- Pour in the Pimm’s and 7UP, lemon-lime soda, or ginger ale, and stir to combine.
- Add ice to fill the glass and garnish with the lemon twist.
Since the Pimm's Cup is built in the glass you will not need a cocktail shaker.
Preparation and Storage
Make Ahead + Larger Group/More Servings: This classic New Orleans cocktail is easy to make ahead, pitcher, or punch bowl-style! Add all ingredients but the soda and ice to your selected vessel and store it in your fridge for up to 24 hours. When serving your guests, pour the contents into individual highball glasses and top them off with soda and ice.
Storage: While you can keep the Pimm’s Cup mixture sans ice and soda in your fridge until serving time, we don’t recommend keeping leftovers you’ve already made, as soda goes flat quickly, and no one wants a flat drink.
Freezing/How to Freeze: Leftover Pimm’s Cup mixture turns into elegant slushies when blended with a handful of ice! We’ve seen versions that add frozen strawberries for extra fruity goodness.
Recipe Variations
Substitutions: Pimm’s No. 1 is a fruity, British gin-based liqueur containing botanicals that make it one-of-a-kind. If your local store doesn't retail this product, Red, a UK lifestyle magazine, recommends making your own with equal parts gin, red vermouth, and curaçao.
Vegetarian + Vegan Option: Pimm’s No. 1 and the remaining cocktail ingredients are safe for vegetarians and vegans. If you DIY your liqueur, it’s important to note that gin is also safe for plant-based drinkers. Still, since processing varies widely across companies, and companies may process flavored liqueurs like vermouth and curaçao with animal by-products, check the exact products you want to use in your cocktail.
Gluten-Free: Multiple web sources also confirm that Pimm’s No. 1 and 7-Up are gluten-free, so the Pimm’s Cup should be safe for a gluten-free diet.
Alcohol-Free Option: We’ve seen multiple mocktail Pimm’s Cup Recipes that replace Pimm’s No. 1 with balsamic vinegar.
Make it Spicy: Replace the lemon-lime soda with ginger beer to add a spicy bite to this cocktail.
Sugar-Free: The written recipe contains 12 grams of sugar per serving. While making your Pimm’s Cup sugar-free isn’t possible due to the lack of sugar-free alternatives for the liqueur, you can lower the sugar content by using sugar-free soda.
Tips for the Best Pimm’s Cup
- Many versions, including those from across the pond in the UK, add multiple fruits to the cocktail mixture for their unique spin. Taste your store-bought or DIY Pimm’s Cup first and decide what fruits would be yummy to your palate if you’d like more fruit in yours.
- Add a mint garnish to each finished cocktail for a refreshing herbal element that’ll complement the zesty ingredients in your cup.
- Printable recipe card instructions are below.
- Nutrition information, including calories, protein, calcium, carbohydrates, fiber, vitamin c, potassium, cholesterol, sodium, trans fat, monounsaturated fat, polyunsaturated fat, and more, will vary depending on the products used.
What to Serve with Pimm’s Cup
Whether you enjoy your Pimm’s Cup as part of a solo happy hour or indulge in a cocktail night with friends, make this British and New Orleans classic part of your next French Quarter-inspired feast. Here are some menu planning suggestions.
Sides: CrockPot Shrimp and Grits, Scotch Eggs, Shrimp Remoulade, CrockPot New Orleans Spicy Barbecue Shrimp
Main Dishes: Jambalaya, CrockPot Gumbo, Easy Garlic Shrimp Linguini
Desserts: Cinnamon Roll King Cake
Drinks: CopyCat Pat O'Brien's Hurricane Cocktail, Boozy Hurricane Popsicle, Fuzzy Leprechaun Cocktail, Lynchburg Lemonade, Classic Grasshopper, Rainbow Cocktail
When to Serve Pimm’s Cup
- Dinner
- Cocktail Night
- Date Night
- Mardi Gras
Great Cocktail Recipes
Do you love recipes? Check out our copy cat recipes, dessert recipes, and our Crock Pot Recipes.
Pimm's Cup Recipe
Ingredients
- ½ inch thick English cucumber wheel
- ½ inch thick lemon wheel
- 2 ounces Pimm’s No. 1
- 4 ounces 7 Up lemon-lime soda, or ginger ale
- lemon twist
Instructions
- Gently muddle the cucumber and lemon slices in a chilled highball glass.
- Pour in the Pimm’s and 7UP, lemon-lime soda, or ginger ale, and stir to combine.
- Add ice to fill the glass and garnish with the lemon twist
Nutrition
Recipe originally shared on May 10, 2015. Updated December 2020
Scott
I have no idea what Pimm's is...I guess I'm out of the loop!
Debi- Lifestyle Blogger
That sounds like a good drink. We have a bar in the basement and we love to have get togethers. This would be a nice drink to add to our recipe list.
Chrysa
I have never tried Pimm's before. Does it have a flavor similar to anything else? I like the cucumber garnish!
Ty
Yum! This looks very refreshing and perfect for summer.