Juicy strawberries, fresh mint, lemon and cucumber slices steeped in Pimm’s No 1, then hit with a splash of lemonade. This Pimm’s recipe is a must! You will need this cocktail to celebrate summer properly!
For another light and delicious summer sipper, try my Rhubarb Moscow Mule.
Can I just brag about our weather for a quick second? We went from winter straight into summer today and that is, my friends, a true British style.
That’s how we do weather here; from winter coats to sleeveless tops and frilly dresses, from endless cups of hot tea to fizzy Pimm’s, from warm and comforting sticky toffee pudding to refreshing ice cream sandwiches.
Summer is here! I do hope it stays because when it comes to English weather there is never a guarantee.
Another thing to celebrate is our Queen’s birthday. Can you believe this amazing and stylish looking lady, whose work day is still longer than mine has just turned 93!
The only way to celebrate the big occasion properly is to mix the most British drink Pimm’s!
What is Pimm’s?
If you struggle to imagine what it tastes like, think of it as British Sangria. I heard of this delicious cocktail before we moved our lives to England but I never actually tasted it until our first summer here eight years ago. And from that point on Pimm’s No 1 has become a firm fixture in our liquor cabinet.
What goes into classic Pimm’s recipe?
It is a combination of delicious gin-based Pimm’s, fizzy lemonade, fruit, sliced cucumbers and fresh mint sprigs.
Variations on Pimm’s recipe
I’ve added my own twist on the classic by splashing the mix with a bit of elderflower liqueur, my current obsession.
In my humble opinion, it makes everything better! I’ve also added a vanilla bean that was a leftover from a fruit salad I made earlier but that is optional!!
If you are not from the UK you might be confused by the inclusion of lemonade. Truth is lemonade here is a lemon flavoured pop, so Sprite would be a fair substitute.
More Cocktail Recipes:
- Lemon Prosecco Float “Sgroppino”
- Elderflower Peach Bellini
- Cherry Long Island Iced Tea
- Three Creative Ways with Gin and Tonic
This recipe was originally published in 05/2016, updated and republished in 05/2019
Ingredients
- 250 ml/1 cup Pimm's No 1
- 750 ml/3 cups Lemonade or Sprite
- 75 ml/1/4 cup elderflower liqueur or elderflower cordial
- strawberries
- sliced cucumbers
- sliced lemon or orange
- 2-3 mint sprigs
- ice
Instructions
- Fill a jug with 2 cups of ice, then add Pimm's, lemonade, elderflower liqueur and fruit, fresh mint and cucumber slices.
- Serve immediately.
Megan d says
June 16, 2016 at 5:50 amWhat would be a good substitute if I am unable to find elderflower liqueur?
vikalinka says
June 16, 2016 at 7:08 amYou can just skip it Megan! It’s not essential in this recipe, just adds a little touch of elderflower scent. 🙂
Lyuda says
May 20, 2016 at 6:30 amLooks beautiful! Is it posible create a similar drink to this but non alcoholic? I made pink lemonade and added slices of lemons and cucumber. Sometimes I add Sprite to the drink.
You’re an excellent photographers.
vikalinka says
May 20, 2016 at 4:07 pmYou can absolutely make a similar non-alcoholic drink, Lyuda! It won’t be Pimm’s but it will still be delicious and refreshing. Thank you for stopping by! 🙂
Hannah Hossack-Lodge (Domestic Gothess) says
May 17, 2016 at 5:09 pmI love Pimm’s, it’s my favourite drink on a sunny day, I imagine it is even nicer with elderflower liqueur in it, I shall have to seek some out! Beautiful photos as always 🙂 x
vikalinka says
May 22, 2016 at 8:45 pmThank you, Hannah! I do prefer my Pimm’s with a bit of elderflower liqueur but as I’d confessed earlier I am obsessed with elderflower flavour in everything !
Kim Smith says
May 17, 2016 at 10:15 amThat looks so good and I love a sangria. Never tried a cucumber in any drink so I will see what I think. Thanks for the recipe.
vikalinka says
May 22, 2016 at 8:43 pmI hope you enjoy it as much as we do around here Kim!! It’s really delicious and refreshing.
Lucy Parissi says
May 16, 2016 at 6:47 pmWhen we got married in Greece I insisted we served Pimms as a welcome drink. Which was hilarious because no one in Skiathos had ever heard of Pimms. It had to be imported! So it has a special place in my heart as a cocktail – perhaps we should share a few next time we meet!
vikalinka says
May 16, 2016 at 7:31 pmThat is the sweetest story, Lucy!! I can’t wait for the weather to settle into solid summer, so we could have many, many Pimm’s together.