15 Pimm’s Cocktails Guaranteed To Make Every Summer Sip Utterly Magical Updated 04/2026

There is something about a tall, ice-filled glass brimming with jewel-bright fruit, fresh mint, and that distinctive amber liqueur that makes time slow down. Pimm’s cocktails have a way of turning an ordinary afternoon into something worth remembering. Whether you are hosting a garden party, watching Wimbledon with girlfriends, or simply treating yourself to a slow weekend sip, a well-made Pimm’s cocktail feels like the ultimate act of self-indulgence. It is elegant, fruity, and just bubbly enough to put you in the best possible mood.

This guide is your definitive companion to the world of Pimm’s cocktails. From the timeless classic to tropical twists and cozy winter warmers, you will find 15 show-stopping recipes that cover every season, every mood, and every occasion.

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The Story Behind The Spirit: A Brief Love Letter To Pimm’s

Before you shake, stir, or garnish a single thing, it is worth appreciating just how remarkable this little bottle of British magic truly is.

A Victorian Invention With Staying Power

Pimm’s is an English brand of gin-based fruit cup that was first produced in 1823 by James Pimm. Pimm himself was a farmer’s son from Kent who became the owner of an oyster bar in the City of London, near the Bank of England. He offered his tonic as an aid to digestion, serving it in a small tankard known as a “No. 1 Cup” — hence its subsequent name.

The original concoction was a closely guarded secret from the very beginning. The original recipe included gin, quinine, and a secret blend of herbs that reportedly aided digestion. Despite the centuries that have passed, the recipe remains fiercely protected to this day. Although the recipe is famously a secret, Jane MacQuitty of The Times stated that orange curaçao is considered a vital element in Pimm’s No. 1 Cup.

What began as a simple digestif for oyster bar patrons grew into something far more significant. By 1859, Pimm’s was being sold commercially, and the rest is history. The brand expanded its range over the following decades, and Pimm’s Cup numbers 2 through 6 were created, each with a different alcohol base including scotch, brandy, rum, rye whisky, and vodka. Today, only Pimm’s No. 1 and the Winter Cup remain widely available.

The Wimbledon Effect And A Global Icon

Few cocktails are so deeply entwined with a specific cultural event as Pimm’s is with Wimbledon. The first Pimm’s bar opened at the 1971 Wimbledon tournament, and it has been a tradition ever since. The numbers are staggering: every year, over 300,000 glasses of Pimm’s are served at the globally-watched sporting event.

But Wimbledon is just the beginning. The signature cocktail is beloved at Wimbledon, Henley Royal Regatta, polo matches, and garden parties across Britain. It has crossed the Atlantic, too. In the late 1940s, the Pimm’s Cup gained fame in Louisiana when the owner of the Napoleon House bar added a citrusy, bubbly twist and started serving his new creation to customers in the heat of summer. That version quickly became a local legend.

Flavor Profile: What Does Pimm’s Actually Taste Like?

Pimm’s is dark brown with a reddish tint, and has a subtle taste of spice and citrus fruit. It tastes a little like a fruity vermouth spiked with gin, complex enough to be interesting but approachable enough to be endlessly drinkable.

Since Pimm’s No. 1 is 25 percent alcohol by volume (50 proof), and the cocktail is further mixed with lemonade, ginger ale, or club soda, the resulting beverage is lighter than many other alcoholic drinks. This lower ABV is a huge part of its charm. It is a cocktail made for lingering, for long afternoons, for the kind of conversation that stretches well past sunset.

As a summer long drink, Pimm’s is normally served with English-style lemonade, as well as various chopped garnishes, particularly apple, cucumber, orange, lemon, strawberry, and mint or borage. The garnish is not optional window dressing. It is a key component of the flavor, the theatre, and the joy.

15 Best Pimm’s Cocktails List

Classic Pimm’s Cup

The original, the timeless, the one that started it all. This is the cocktail that launched a thousand garden parties and practically defined the British summer. It arrives in a tall glass with more fruit than you thought possible, cool and sparkling, somewhere between a drink and a garden in a glass.

Ingredients:

• 50ml (1.75 oz) Pimm’s No. 1
• 150ml (5 oz) chilled sparkling lemonade (British-style, clear and carbonated)
• A squeeze of fresh lemon juice
• 3 cucumber slices
• 2 strawberries, hulled and halved
• 1 orange wheel
• 1 sprig fresh mint
• Ice cubes

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Instructions:

1. Fill a tall highball glass to the brim with ice.
2. Add the cucumber slices along the inside of the glass, pressing gently to release their aroma.
3. Drop in the strawberries and orange wheel.
4. Pour over the Pimm’s No. 1.
5. Add a squeeze of fresh lemon juice.
6. Top with chilled sparkling lemonade and stir gently once.
7. Tuck in the mint sprig as a final flourish and serve immediately.

Pimm’s Royal Cup

For when regular sparkling water simply will not do. The Royal Cup swaps lemonade for champagne or a dry prosecco, transforming the classic into something undeniably glamorous. Think New Year’s brunch, a birthday celebration, or any Tuesday that deserves to feel a little more special. The bubbles carry the botanicals beautifully, and the whole drink has an air of quiet sophistication.

Ingredients:

• 50ml (1.75 oz) Pimm’s No. 1
• 100ml (3.5 oz) chilled champagne or dry prosecco
• 1 cucumber ribbon (use a peeler)
• 2 fresh raspberries
• 1 lemon twist
• Ice

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Instructions:

1. Chill a champagne flute or wide coupe glass.
2. Add ice to a separate mixing glass and combine with Pimm’s.
3. Strain into the chilled flute over fresh ice.
4. Slowly top with champagne, pouring down the side of the glass to preserve the bubbles.
5. Drop in the raspberries.
6. Lay the cucumber ribbon elegantly along the rim.
7. Twist the lemon peel over the top to release the oils, then perch it on the edge.

Pimm’s Ginger Beer Mule

Bold, a little bit spicy, and utterly impossible to put down. This variation swaps lemonade for ginger beer, adding a warming kick that balances the botanical sweetness of the Pimm’s beautifully. It has the soul of a Moscow Mule but with a decidedly British personality, and the combination of ginger and cucumber is one of the most refreshing pairings in the cocktail world.

Ingredients:

• 50ml (1.75 oz) Pimm’s No. 1
• 150ml (5 oz) chilled ginger beer (preferably Fever Tree or Bundaberg)
• 15ml (0.5 oz) fresh lime juice
• 3 cucumber slices
• 1 sprig fresh mint
• 1 thin lime wheel
• Ice

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Instructions:

1. Fill a copper mug or a tall highball glass with crushed ice.
2. Press the cucumber slices against the inside of the glass.
3. Pour in the Pimm’s No. 1 and the fresh lime juice.
4. Top with ginger beer, pouring slowly to keep the fizz alive.
5. Give it a very gentle single stir.
6. Garnish with mint, the lime wheel, and an extra cucumber slice on the rim.

Pimm’s Strawberry Smash

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This cocktail is practically a love letter to strawberry season. Muddled fresh strawberries form the base, releasing their sweet, slightly floral juice into the mix before the Pimm’s and lemon soda arrive to pull it all together. The color is a dreamy, blush-tinted rose that looks extraordinary in a stemmed glass. This is the cocktail you make for a long, sunny afternoon on the terrace.

Ingredients:

• 50ml (1.75 oz) Pimm’s No. 1
• 4 ripe fresh strawberries, hulled
• 15ml (0.5 oz) fresh lemon juice
• 10ml (0.3 oz) simple syrup
• 100ml (3.5 oz) sparkling lemonade
• 3 fresh basil leaves
• Ice

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Instructions:

1. In the base of a cocktail shaker, muddle 3 of the strawberries with the simple syrup and lemon juice until well broken down.
2. Add the Pimm’s and fill the shaker with ice.
3. Shake vigorously for 10 seconds.
4. Double-strain into a wine glass or large coupe over fresh ice.
5. Top with sparkling lemonade.
6. Slice the remaining strawberry and place it on the rim.
7. Tear and lightly press the basil leaves to release their scent, then lay them on top.

Frozen Pimm’s Slushie

When the heat is relentless and you need something that is equal parts cocktail and dessert, this is the recipe you reach for. By blending Pimm’s with frozen fruit and a little lemonade, you get a gorgeous, frosty slushie that is grown-up enough for a cocktail party but fun enough to feel like a treat. The color lands somewhere between sunset and rosé, and the texture is pure, icy bliss.

Ingredients:

• 60ml (2 oz) Pimm’s No. 1
• 150ml (5 oz) sparkling lemonade
• 1 cup frozen strawberries
• 1/2 cup frozen diced cucumber
• 15ml (0.5 oz) fresh lemon juice
• 1 tbsp elderflower cordial
• Mint leaves and a strawberry slice for garnish

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Instructions:

1. Pour the sparkling lemonade into an ice cube tray and freeze overnight to make fizzy ice cubes.
2. Combine the Pimm’s, frozen strawberries, frozen cucumber, lemon juice, and elderflower cordial in a blender.
3. Add the frozen lemonade cubes.
4. Blend until completely smooth and slushy.
5. Pour into a wide-rimmed glass.
6. Garnish with a sprig of mint and a half strawberry perched on the edge.
7. Serve immediately with a wide straw.

Pimm’s Elderflower Fizz

Elderflower cordial and Pimm’s are a pairing made in the English countryside. Both are floral, both are gentle, and together they create something that tastes genuinely like summer in a glass. This version is lighter and more fragrant than the classic, with a sweetness that is never cloying. It is the cocktail for bridal showers, baby showers, or any occasion where you want something that feels refined and effortless all at once.

Ingredients:

• 50ml (1.75 oz) Pimm’s No. 1
• 20ml (0.7 oz) elderflower cordial (St-Germain works beautifully here)
• 30ml (1 oz) fresh lemon juice
• 100ml (3.5 oz) soda water or sparkling water
• 1 cucumber ribbon
• Edible flowers or a sprig of lemon verbena, for garnish
• Ice

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Instructions:

1. Fill a large wine glass with ice.
2. Combine the Pimm’s, elderflower cordial, and fresh lemon juice in the glass.
3. Stir gently to combine.
4. Top with soda water, pouring slowly.
5. Curl the cucumber ribbon inside the glass.
6. Scatter edible flowers across the top for an Instagram-worthy finish.

Pimm’s Garden Party Pitcher

This is the recipe you make when your guests start arriving and you want to look effortlessly organized. A single big pitcher of this beautiful cocktail sitting on a table dressed with linen and flowers is one of the most inviting sights imaginable. Scaled for a crowd, it allows the flavors to meld and develop, which actually makes it taste even better than a single serving.

Ingredients (serves 6 to 8):

• 250ml (8.5 oz) Pimm’s No. 1
• 750ml (25 oz) sparkling lemonade
• 200ml (7 oz) soda water
• 1 lemon, sliced into wheels
• 1 orange, sliced into wheels
• 1 cup strawberries, hulled and halved
• 1 apple, thinly sliced
• 1 cucumber, sliced
• A large handful of fresh mint
• Lots of ice

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Instructions:

1. Place the sliced fruit and cucumber in the base of a large pitcher.
2. Lightly press the mint leaves between your palms to release the oils, then add to the pitcher.
3. Fill the pitcher generously with ice.
4. Pour over the Pimm’s No. 1 and soda water, then stir gently.
5. Just before serving, pour in the chilled sparkling lemonade.
6. Give one final, gentle stir to combine everything.
7. Ladle into individual ice-filled glasses, making sure each guest gets plenty of the beautiful fruit.

Pimm’s Peach Bellini Twist

The Bellini meets Pimm’s in this gloriously peachy, summery cocktail. White peach puree brings a velvety sweetness that elevates the whole drink, and the prosecco makes it sparkle and sing. The color is a gorgeous soft blush, somewhere between peach and gold, and the aroma is genuinely intoxicating. This is the cocktail you serve at brunch when you want everyone to feel like they are on holiday on the Amalfi Coast.

Ingredients:

• 50ml (1.75 oz) Pimm’s No. 1
• 30ml (1 oz) white peach puree (or blended fresh peach)
• 100ml (3.5 oz) chilled dry prosecco
• 1 tsp peach schnapps (optional, for extra depth)
• 1 thin peach slice and a sprig of mint for garnish
• Ice

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Instructions:

1. Combine the Pimm’s and peach puree in a cocktail shaker with ice.
2. Add the peach schnapps if using.
3. Shake well for 10 to 15 seconds.
4. Strain into a chilled champagne flute or coupe.
5. Slowly top with the chilled prosecco.
6. Tuck in the peach slice and the mint sprig.
7. Serve without stirring, allowing the layers to gently combine as you drink.

Spicy Jalapeño Pimm’s Cup

This one is for the woman who likes a little fire in her glass. A few slices of fresh jalapeño bring a surprising and addictive heat to the botanical sweetness of Pimm’s, creating a cocktail that is complex, bold, and completely unforgettable. The heat builds slowly after each sip, making this a drink that keeps you coming back. It is the ultimate conversation starter at any gathering.

Ingredients:

• 50ml (1.75 oz) Pimm’s No. 1
• 3 to 5 thin slices of fresh jalapeño (adjust to your heat preference)
• 15ml (0.5 oz) fresh lime juice
• 10ml (0.3 oz) agave syrup
• 120ml (4 oz) ginger beer
• 2 cucumber slices
• 1 sprig fresh cilantro or mint
• Ice

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Instructions:

1. In a cocktail shaker, muddle the jalapeño slices with the agave syrup until fragrant.
2. Add the Pimm’s No. 1 and lime juice.
3. Fill with ice and shake vigorously for 15 seconds.
4. Double-strain over fresh ice into a tall glass to remove jalapeño seeds.
5. Top with chilled ginger beer.
6. Arrange the cucumber slices along the rim.
7. Garnish with fresh cilantro or mint and a spare jalapeño slice if you are feeling fearless.

Pimm’s Rangoon

The Pimm’s Rangoon is a lesser-known gem that deserves far more attention. A generous pour of ginger syrup replaces simple syrup, giving the drink a warm, complex spice that pairs magnificently with the herbal notes of the Pimm’s. It is a more sophisticated, slightly mysterious version of the classic cup, and it works equally well as a pre-dinner aperitif or a long afternoon sipper.

Ingredients:

• 50ml (1.75 oz) Pimm’s No. 1
• 15ml (0.5 oz) fresh-pressed ginger syrup (or good-quality ginger cordial)
• 20ml (0.7 oz) fresh lemon juice
• 100ml (3.5 oz) soda water
• 2 cucumber slices
• 1 strip of candied ginger, for garnish
• Ice

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Instructions:

1. Combine the Pimm’s, ginger syrup, and lemon juice in a cocktail shaker with ice.
2. Shake briefly (just 5 to 8 seconds) to chill without over-diluting.
3. Strain into a highball glass over fresh ice.
4. Top with soda water.
5. Slide the cucumber slices inside the glass.
6. Thread the candied ginger onto a cocktail pick and rest it across the rim for a fragrant, beautiful garnish.

Pimm’s Sangria

When the party is bigger than a pitcher and you need something that can be made hours ahead and only gets better with time, this Pimm’s Sangria is your answer. It takes the best parts of both drinks and fuses them into something truly spectacular. The Pimm’s replaces the traditional brandy, adding its unmistakable botanical complexity to the wine base, while the fruit soaks up every drop of flavor.

Ingredients (serves 8):

• 200ml (7 oz) Pimm’s No. 1
• 750ml (1 bottle) light, fruity red wine (Merlot or Pinot Noir work beautifully)
• 100ml (3.5 oz) orange juice, freshly squeezed
• 30ml (1 oz) elderflower cordial
• 1 orange, sliced
• 1 lemon, sliced
• 1 cup strawberries, halved
• 1 green apple, thinly sliced
• 1 cucumber, sliced
• 250ml (8.5 oz) ginger ale to top just before serving
• Ice

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Instructions:

1. Combine the Pimm’s, red wine, orange juice, and elderflower cordial in a large pitcher.
2. Add all the fruit and cucumber.
3. Stir gently to combine, then cover and refrigerate for at least 2 hours (overnight is even better).
4. When ready to serve, fill the pitcher with ice.
5. Pour in the ginger ale to top and stir once.
6. Ladle into glasses, making sure each serving is generously loaded with the wine-soaked fruit.

Pimm’s Tropical Twist

Imagine your classic Pimm’s Cup packed up and sent on holiday to somewhere warm and wonderful. This tropical variation brings in pineapple, passion fruit, and coconut water to create something that feels like a British garden party crossed with a beach bar in Bali. It is bright, exotic, and makes even the gloomiest day feel like it belongs on a sun-drenched terrace.

Ingredients:

• 50ml (1.75 oz) Pimm’s No. 1
• 30ml (1 oz) passion fruit juice (or the pulp of 1 fresh passion fruit)
• 50ml (1.75 oz) cold coconut water
• 60ml (2 oz) pineapple juice
• 10ml (0.3 oz) fresh lime juice
• 75ml (2.5 oz) soda water
• 1 slice of fresh pineapple and a mint sprig for garnish
• Ice

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Instructions:

1. Combine the Pimm’s, passion fruit juice, coconut water, pineapple juice, and lime juice in a cocktail shaker with ice.
2. Shake vigorously for 12 seconds.
3. Strain into a tall glass filled with ice.
4. Top with soda water and stir gently.
5. Garnish with the pineapple slice on the rim and tuck in a mint sprig.
6. For extra flair, add a paper umbrella and serve somewhere that at least feels like it gets good afternoon light.

Pimm’s Winter Warmer

Pimm’s is not just a summer spirit, it is a year-round pleasure, and this cozy winter version is the proof. Inspired by the Pimm’s Winter Cup, which blends the No. 3 brandy variant with cinnamon, caramel, and orange peel, this recipe builds a warming, spiced hot drink that wraps you up from the inside out. Think of it as a sophisticated mulled wine alternative, something to cradle in both hands on a cold evening.

Ingredients:

• 50ml (1.75 oz) Pimm’s No. 1
• 150ml (5 oz) warm (not boiling) apple juice
• 1 cinnamon stick
• 2 whole cloves
• 1 star anise
• 1 strip of orange peel
• 1 tsp brown sugar or honey
• 1 small apple slice, to garnish

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Instructions:

1. Gently warm the apple juice in a small saucepan with the cinnamon stick, cloves, star anise, and orange peel over low heat for 5 minutes. Do not let it boil.
2. Strain the spiced apple juice through a fine sieve.
3. Add the brown sugar or honey and stir to dissolve.
4. Pour the Pimm’s into a heatproof mug or glass.
5. Pour the warm spiced juice over the Pimm’s.
6. Stir gently to combine.
7. Garnish with the cinnamon stick, a fresh orange peel twist, and the apple slice.

Pimm’s Cucumber Mint Cooler

If the classic Pimm’s Cup is a summer garden, this cooler is the cool shade at the edge of it, a meditative, deeply refreshing drink that celebrates the simple, perfect pairing of cucumber and mint. Fresh cucumber is pressed and gently muddled to release every drop of its clean, grassy juice, while a generous handful of mint adds an almost menthol coolness that makes this the most refreshing drink you will have all season.

Ingredients:

• 50ml (1.75 oz) Pimm’s No. 1
• 6 thick cucumber slices
• 8 to 10 fresh mint leaves
• 20ml (0.7 oz) fresh lemon juice
• 10ml (0.3 oz) simple syrup
• 120ml (4 oz) soda water
• Extra cucumber slices and mint for garnish
• Ice

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Instructions:

1. In a cocktail shaker, muddle the cucumber slices with the mint leaves and simple syrup. Press firmly but do not shred everything to a pulp.
2. Add the Pimm’s No. 1 and lemon juice.
3. Fill with ice and shake for 12 seconds.
4. Double-strain into a tall glass filled with fresh ice to produce a beautifully clear drink.
5. Top with soda water and stir once.
6. Arrange extra cucumber rounds along the inside of the glass and finish with a bouquet of fresh mint tucked in at the rim.

Pimm’s Rosé Spritzer

The most romantic cocktail on this list, this rosy, sparkling beauty combines Pimm’s with dry rosé wine and a splash of pink grapefruit juice for a drink that looks like it was designed for a flower-filled photoshoot. The color is an absolute dream, ranging from deep rose to pale blush, and the flavor has a tartness that keeps the sweetness perfectly in check. This is the cocktail that will make everyone at the table ask for the recipe.

Ingredients:

• 40ml (1.3 oz) Pimm’s No. 1
• 100ml (3.5 oz) chilled dry rosé wine
• 30ml (1 oz) fresh pink grapefruit juice
• 50ml (1.75 oz) sparkling water
• 1 tsp rose syrup or grenadine (for color and a floral note)
• 2 strawberries, one sliced thinly for garnish
• A few edible rose petals, if you have them
• Ice

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Instructions:

1. Add ice to a large wine glass.
2. Pour in the Pimm’s No. 1, rosé wine, and pink grapefruit juice.
3. Add the rose syrup or grenadine.
4. Stir gently to blend the colors into a gorgeous gradient.
5. Top with sparkling water.
6. Arrange the thinly sliced strawberry along the rim.
7. Scatter a few rose petals over the surface for an effect that is nothing short of breathtaking.

Conclusion

Pimm’s cocktails are not just drinks. They are a mood, an occasion, a state of mind. From the crisp botanical elegance of the Classic Pimm’s Cup to the fiery excitement of the Spicy Jalapeño version, the tropical escapism of the Pimm’s Twist, and the cozy intimacy of the Winter Warmer, there is a Pimm’s cocktail for every version of you.

What makes these recipes so endlessly appealing, especially for women who love beautiful, thoughtfully made drinks, is their versatility. They can be dressed up with champagne and edible flowers for the most glamorous of occasions, or kept wonderfully simple for a spontaneous afternoon on the porch. They reward good ingredients, beautiful garnishes, and a little creativity.

The next time you are looking for a cocktail that feels genuinely special without asking too much of you, reach for the Pimm’s. Fill your glass with ice, pile it high with fruit, and let that extraordinary amber spirit do what it has been doing since the Victorian era: turning an ordinary moment into something worth savoring.

Cheers to that.

Sources: https://chesbrewco.com
Category: Cocktails