By Lidey Heuck
Updated Oct. 11, 2023
- Total Time
- 20 minutes, plus 15 minutes’ cooling
- Prep Time
- 10 minutes
- Cook Time
- 10 minutes, plus 15 minutes’ cooling
- Rating
- 4(80)
- Notes
- Read community notes
A Pimm’s cup is an English co*cktail traditionally made with a splash of its namesake (a mildly spiced, fruity, gin-based liqueur), plus a glug of ginger ale, lemonade or lemon soda. Simply called a “Pimm’s” in the United Kingdom, the drink is a summertime favorite, famously sold in the stands at Wimbledon. This frozen version is easy to make at home and is perfect for sweltering summer nights. Lemon simple syrup gives the co*cktail a burst of tart citrus without diluting it, and ginger beer provides a nice kick of ginger. Once the drinks are blended, they’ll stay frosty for a surprisingly long time. The herby and fruity garnishes, a nod to the flavors in Pimm’s, are a distinctive and essential part of the drink.
or to save this recipe.
Print Options
Advertisem*nt
Ingredients
Yield:6 servings
- ½cup freshly squeezed lemon juice (from 3 to 4 lemons)
- ½cup granulated sugar
- 8cups ice cubes
- 1cup Pimm’s No. 1 liqueur, chilled
- ½cup ginger beer, chilled, plus more for serving
- Kosher salt
- Cucumber slices, for garnish
- Strawberry slices, for garnish
- Orange or lemon slices, for garnish
- Fresh basil or mint sprigs, for garnish
Ingredient Substitution Guide
Nutritional analysis per serving (6 servings)
234 calories; 0 grams fat; 0 grams saturated fat; 0 grams trans fat; 0 grams monounsaturated fat; 0 grams polyunsaturated fat; 42 grams carbohydrates; 0 grams dietary fiber; 37 grams sugars; 0 grams protein; 986 milligrams sodium
Note: The information shown is Edamam’s estimate based on available ingredients and preparation. It should not be considered a substitute for a professional nutritionist’s advice.
Powered by
Preparation
Step
1
Make the lemon simple syrup: Combine the lemon juice and sugar in a small saucepan and bring to a simmer over medium-low, stirring occasionally. Remove from the heat and stir to dissolve any remaining sugar granules. Transfer to a heat-proof container and cool completely before using. (Leftover syrup will keep for up to 1 week in the refrigerator.)
Step
2
Place 4 cups of the ice cubes in a blender and pulse on low speed to crush them. (It’s OK if they are not completely crushed.) Add ½ cup Pimm’s, ¼ cup ginger beer, ⅓ cup simple syrup and a pinch of salt. Blend on low speed, raising the speed slowly and pausing to stir if necessary, until the mixture is smooth and slushy in consistency (see Tip).
Step
3
Pour the mixture into 3 tumblers and repeat with the remaining ½ cup Pimm’s, ¼ cup ginger beer, ⅓ cup simple syrup and another pinch salt to make 3 more drinks.
Step
4
Top each drink with a splash of ginger beer, then garnish with a cucumber slice, a strawberry slice, an orange or lemon slice and a basil or mint sprig. Drinks are best served within 15 minutes, with a straw for easy drinking.
Tip
- Because every blender is different, frozen drinks take a bit of patience. It’s best to err on the side of blending low and slow, increasing the speed as needed to avoid liquefying the ice if you are using a powerful blender.
Ratings
4
out of 5
80
user ratings
Your rating
or to rate this recipe.
Have you cooked this?
or to mark this recipe as cooked.
Private Notes
Leave a Private Note on this recipe and see it here.
Cooking Notes
Anson McKim
For those in a hurry PIMM'S mixed with 7-UP or Sprite and garnished with crushed mint leaves, cucumber rind and/or strawberry slices is a simple, extremely refreshing drink.
Meg D
Perfect for days like today when the temps suddenly hit 90’s. Dangerously delicious when you drink it too fast - beware the brain freeze!
Liane
I've never had it with ginger beer (I live in London), so not sure about adding that. I would go with Sprite (as an American) or Lemonade (as a Brit) - they are almost the same thing.
Zan
Delicious. Must be eaten with a spoon, at least at first, given the bountiful and lovely display of fruit garnishes suggested, including basil leaves large enough to stand tall in the glass. Increase the charm by adding a few large basil leaves to the blend. The resulting flecks of green in the drink are lovely.
Marlette
A food processor isn’t a substitute for a blender when doing drinks. (not sure about other foods) There’s too much liquid to keep the level below the leakage level and blender’s have too large of a container to crush the ice esp with added liquid.If you find you’d like to use a blender for more than just this recipe one can be purchased fro about $20. or check thrift stores. I’ve seen them a Salvation Army and Good will.
Dena
I don't have a blender. Can I use a food processor?
Anson McKim
For those in a hurry PIMM'S mixed with 7-UP or Sprite and garnished with crushed mint leaves, cucumber rind and/or strawberry slices is a simple, extremely refreshing drink.
Private notes are only visible to you.
