An Easy Classic Pimm's and Lemonade Recipe

Written by
Elaine Lemm
Elaine Lemm
Elaine Lemm is a renowned British food writer, classically trained chef, teacher, and author with over 25 years of experience writing about British food and cooking.
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Elaine Lemm
Updated 10/02/19
Classic Pimms and lemonade recipe

The Spruce Eats / Julia Hartbeck
  • Total: 7 mins
  • Prep: 5 mins
  • Cook: 2 mins
  • Yield: Serves 4

Who could ever consider an English summer day without a glass of Pimms and Lemonade in the hand. This light, (yet alcoholic) drink is synonymous with many summer events in Britain and you will find it at all festivals, weddings, sporting events especially the tennis at Wimbledon, at the tennis tournament, an average of 235,000 glass are served (2015 figures). 

What is it about Pimms that makes it so popular here in the UK? Check out why on the history and story of Pimms page here on the Spruce. The popularity must also be because Pimms is an excellent drink and the simplest thing to make, ever! Just take a look at the recipe below and you will see what I mean.

Ingredients

  • Pimm's No. 1
  • Carbonated lemonade (chilled)
  • Ice (to fill the jug)
  • Cucumber
  • Mint leaves
  • Orange slices
  • Strawberries (washed, hulled, and halved)

Steps to Make It

  1. Gather the ingredients.

    Ingredients for Pimm's and lemonade
    ​The Spruce Eats / Julia Hartbeck

  2. Take a pretty glass jug or drinking glass if you are making just one Pimms, and fill with ice.

    Ice in glass
    ​The Spruce Eats / Julia Hartbeck

  3. Mix one part Pimm's No. 1 with 3 parts chilled lemonade to fill either your jug or glass.

    Add lemonade
    ​The Spruce Eats / Julia Hartbeck

  4. Now begins the creative part. Lightly crush the mint in your hand to release the scent, and add to the Pimms with the cucumber, orange and strawberry pieces in whatever proportions you like the best. The rule of thumb is 2 slices of cucumber to one of orange and strawberry, but you should make it how you want and the taste you prefer. 

    Lightly crush mint in hand
    ​The Spruce Eats / Julia Hartbeck

  5. Stir with a long-handled spoon and serve.

    Stir with spoon
    ​The Spruce Eats / Julia Hartbeck

Making the Perfect Pimms

  • I suggest you prepare more than one serving or one jug, there are always calls for more, especially if the sun is shining. 
  • Note: a truly traditional English Pimms does not contain any additional alcohol of any kind, the method for adding spirits like Vodka is an American version. 
  • Only use a high-quality fizzy lemonade, cheaper versions can so easily spoil the taste usually because they are so acidic.
  • Do not replace the Pimms with other spirits branded as Fruit Cups. They bring their own flavors to the party, but it is not that of a classic Pimms.
  • Keep the proportions to one-third Pimms base to two-thirds lemonade - too much Pimms can be overwhelming, too much lemonade makes the Pimms weak. 
  • Aficionados of Pimms recommend using only the peel from a cucumber; which adds extra flavor and will stay firmer than the slices to avoid that horrible mush caused by the fruits dissolving into the drink. 
  • Stick to cucumber, orange, and mint, if you want a classic Pimms, strawberries are a pretty addition and avoid using apple slices, they will turn mushy very quickly. 
  • Lightly crushing the mint before adding to the Pimms releases a fresh mint aroma to help make a refreshing and cooling Pimms. 
  • If you can find it, or have it in the garden, Borage makes a lovely alternative to mint and can be equally refreshing.