Mix up a Pimm’s Cup pitcher drink for easy summer entertaining. It’s often touted as England’s second most popular drink right behind tea, and it has become an iconic cocktail served at Wimbledon. You can see how I incorporated it into my Wimbledon brunch here.
The Pimm’s cup pitcher drink is built on the gin-based liqueur, Pimm’s No. 1. The British mix it with “lemonade” which, from my research, isn’t the same as American lemonade. It’s more of a sparkling beverage similar to our Sprite. I also found recipes for this drink using everything from ginger beer to lemonade, so with that in mind I created my own recipe for the classic Pimm’s cup and I think you’ll enjoy it!
Keeping in mind this is a cocktail for sharing and entertaining, making enough for a pitcher was essential. Another thing to note is that presentation is everything when it comes to the Pimm’s cup. You must add sliced cucumber and fruit to make it authentic, much like a sangria.
Easy Pimm’s Cup Pitcher
- 1 1/2 cups Pimm’s No. 1 liqueur
- 3 cups ginger ale
- Juice of 1 lemon
- sliced cucumber, lemons, and oranges
Add ice and sliced fruit to a pitcher.
Pour in Pimm’s No. 1, Ginger Ale, and lemon juice. Stir slightly and pour.
Make sure each glass gets some of the sliced fruit/cucumber.
The flavor of a Pimm’s cup is very unique as the liqueur has herbal, spicy notes – the actual ingredients are unknown except to the makers. I prefer using ginger ale to other mixers like Sprite or 7Up because it’s less sweet and lets the flavor of the liqueur come through. The addition of fresh squeezed lemon juice gives you that great citrus brightness that brings this cocktail alive.
You can easily make a single cocktail using 1 part Pimm’s No. 1 to 3 parts ginger ale, and a squeeze of a lemon wedge.
If you’re serving this for a Wimbledon brunch {or any tennis theme} use a vintage wooden tennis racket as a “tray” and place the glasses on top. You can also wrap the glasses in sweat bands to act as koozies! See more ideas from my Wimbledon themed brunch here.
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You have gi get ale in the ingredients but Sprite in the directions. Which 1?
Oh gosh, Jo Anne, thanks for catching that! Apparently my brain wires were crossing at the time! Fixed now.
I’ve made Pimms Cup for my book club once, but the presentation wasn’t nearly as fabulous as yours! I think it’s time to make some more 🙂