Classic Pimm’s Cup Cocktails

Classic Pimm’s cup cocktails for your summer celebrations. Made with strawberries, cucumbers, tarragon, mint, and fresh lime, these Pimm’s cups are the perfect lower-alcohol summer sip.

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This recipe was originally shared in September 2011. I’ve updated the photos, intro, and recipe slightly. 

For hours, I’ve been writing and deleting ways to complicate something that’s really very simple: classic Pimm’s cup cocktails for your summer weekend.

Some of that complexity comes with my unease about the idea of summer generally. Like, is this happening? But I need only check the travel plans on my calendar or brush against the damp pool towels awaiting the washing machine to know that yes, we are in fact having summer.

A Classic Pimm’s Cup with Room for Variation

These are classic Pimm’s cups, dressed up with strawberries and cucumbers, and lots of fresh herbs. Pimm’s cups are slightly sweet with a lovely and complex mix of spices and herbs that hit beautifully on a summer evening. There are plenty of staunch traditionalists when it comes to Pimm’s cups. Ignore them and make the cocktail yours by switching out the herbs or swapping citrus or stone fruit for the strawberries or using a mix. I’m personally very attached to including cucumbers, but you could leave those out too.

If you’d like a more streamlined version of the cocktail, check out these simple Pimm’s cups. And note that a classic British Pimm’s cup cocktail is traditionally made with still or sparkling lemonade but I’m partial to using ginger beer instead. I like the bite and balance the ginger beer brings to the herbaceous notes of Pimm’s No. 1.

Make a Batch Cocktail

These Pimm’s cup cocktails can also be made as a pitcher. Use the recipe servings slider to double the recipe, mix the ginger ale with the cocktail mixture, and serve over ice. 

For more summer cocktail inspiration from Brooklyn Supper, check out these recipe out:

• Red Wine Spritzers
• Sparkling Rose Sangria
• Charred Pineapple Margaritas  
  

  Print Recipe

  Classic Pimm’s Cups

  Prep Time

  5 mins

   

  Classic Pimm's cup cocktails for your summer celebrations. Made with strawberries, cucumbers, tarragon, mint, and fresh lime, these Pimm's cups are the perfect lower-alcohol summer sip. Recipe adapted from Bon Appetit.

  Recipe Type: Cocktail

  Keyword: Pimm's cup cocktails

  Makes: 2 cocktails

  Author: Elizabeth Stark, adapted from Bon Appetit

  Ingredients

  Cocktails

  • 1/2 cup diced cucumber
  • 2 tablespoons mint leaves
  • 1/4 cup fresh squeezed lime juice
  • 1 teaspoon honey
  • 8 ounces Pimm’s No. 1
  • 1 (12- ounce) bottle ginger beer

  Garnish

  • 2 sprigs each tarragon and mint (or thyme, rosemary, or basil)
  • 4 cucumber spears
  • 4 strawberries sliced (or use citrus or stone fruit)
  • 4 lime slices

  Instructions

  1. Fill 2 tall Collins glasses with ice and set aside.
  2. Place the diced cukes and mint leaves in a large cocktail shaker and mash vigorously with a muddler or the handle of a spoon. Add lime juice, honey, and Pimm’s. Fill the shaker with ice, and shake for about 15 seconds. Strain into prepared glasses filling each halfway, add the cucumber spears, herb sprigs, lime and strawberry slices, and top each glass off with ginger beer. Serve right away.