How to Make a Pimm’s Cup - The Quintessential British Summer Drink

Katie Coy | Jun 10, 2022 1:21 pm | Add a comment | 458 reads

Last weekend marked the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee in the UK, which meant a weekend of garden and street parties with plenty of one quitessential British tipple, the Pimm's Cup. Now, I’m no royalist, but I do love a good excuse to drink a refreshing glass of Pimm’s in the summer heat. 

For those non-Brits there’s a good chance you’ve never heard of this British summer cocktail, so what actually is Pimm’s Cup? Well Pimm’s, or to give it it’s full name Pimm’s No.1 Cup, is a gin liqueur infused with herbs, spices and caramelised orange. The spirit is then normally mixed with lemonade, fruit and mint to create a Pimm’s cocktail.

According to the official Pimm’s website, it was invented by James Pimm in 1840 as a digestif to be enjoyed while eating oysters. It was first served in James Pimm’s London-based oyster bar and was known as the “house cup” which inspired Pimm’s full official name “Pimm’s No.1 Cup”. Since then it has become an essential part of any summer event in the UK, being served at weddings, barbecues, festivals and even at Wimbledon. 

Well, with Beijing summer firmly underway - it’s due to hit 38 degrees next week - why not have a go at making this refreshing drink to cool off?

Ingredients

For one glass of Pimm’s:

  • 2 ice cubes
  • 50ml Pimm's No 1
  • 150ml lemonade* (Sprite, 7-Up etc.), chilled
  • 2-3 mint leaves
  • 2 slices of cucumber
  • 2 slices of orange
  • 1 strawberry, halved

For one jug of Pimm’s:

  • Ice, to fill the jug
  • 200ml Pimm's No 1
  • 600ml lemonade (Sprite, 7-Up etc.), chilled
  • 1 sprig mint leaves
  • 1 small cucumber, sliced
  • 1 medium orange, sliced
  • 1/2 cup strawberries, halved

Method

  1. Fill the glass or jug with ice
  2. Pour in the Pimm’s
  3. Pour in the lemonade
  4. Lightly crush the mint leaves in your hand, then add to the glass or jug
  5. Add the slices of cucumber, orange and strawberries
  6. Stir with a straw, or long handed spoon if making a jug, and enjoy!

*For a twist on this classic you can also choose to mix it with ginger ale instead of lemonade. 

You can purchase Pimm’s from the following shops in Beijing:

  • April Gourmet
  • Jenny Lou’s
  • Jenny Wang
  • Bob’s Select/Wine/Wine Cellar
  • Bob’s Wine
  • 1919

It may help to search for the Chinese name for Pimm’s which is 飘仙  piāo xiān.

READ: Snack Attack: Cool Yourself Down With This Chinese Soybean Recipe

Images: Canva - VCG iStock Essential