If you do one thing this weekend, run to the store and pick up a bottle of Pimm’s. This Strawberry Pimm’s Cup is the ultimate summer cocktail: light, fruity, and incredibly refreshing.
Prepare a spread of chips, hummus, fresh fruit and almonds, queue some upbeat tunes, and settle in outdoors if you can — patio lights and a shady tree make this drink feel extra special. The Pimm’s cup is simple to make but layered with bright, fresh flavors: cucumber and citrus meet juicy strawberries and cooling mint.
This cocktail is basically a salad in a glass—full of produce and color—which somehow makes it feel like a healthier indulgence. Pimm’s No. 1 is a lightly spiced, fruit-forward liqueur with a gin base that blends beautifully with fresh ingredients; it doesn’t taste like pine needles, promise.
I’ve been inspired by classic versions that use cucumber, lemon and lime, but for this recipe I add an abundance of strawberries and a little mint. To intensify the strawberry flavor, I soaked a pint of the juiciest strawberries in Pimm’s overnight. It’s optional, but the macerated berries soak up flavor and add a lovely punch to the pitcher.
I prefer ginger beer over ginger ale for this drink because it’s spicier and slightly sweeter, which balances the fruit and Pimm’s really well. The final result tastes like sunshine and long, warm days—cold, fizzy, and full of summer.
Below is my ideal version of a Strawberry Pimm’s Cup. I’ve scaled it so you can make a single drink or multiply it into a pitcher for a gathering. Feel free to experiment: swap in different fruit, herbs, or even a slice of jalapeño if you want something with a little heat.
Strawberry Pimm’s Cup
Ingredients
- 1 handful fresh mint
- 4 cucumber slices
- 4 strawberries, sliced
- 2 lemon slices
- 2 lime slices
- 4 ounces Pimm’s No. 1
- 1 lemon wedge
- 1 lime wedge
- 4 ounces ginger beer
- 1 to 2 ounces club soda optional, for extra fizz
Instructions
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Notes: to make a pitcher, multiply this recipe by four. Taste as you go — Pimm’s can be adjusted to preference.
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Optional prep: macerate a pint of strawberries in Pimm’s overnight in the refrigerator. Use both the Pimm’s and the strawberries in the drink for an extra-intense strawberry flavor.
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Assembly: fill a glass with a mix of ice, sliced strawberries, cucumber slices, fresh mint, lemon and lime slices. Reserve a strawberry or sprig of mint for garnish. Layer ingredients with ice for best presentation. Pour in the Pimm’s and squeeze the lemon and lime wedges into the glass. Stir gently and lightly bruise the mint with a spoon or stirrer to release aroma. Add ginger beer, top with club soda if using, and give a final gentle stir. Garnish and serve immediately.
Did you make this recipe?
Tag your photos with #howsweeteats and share them on social media if you like — it’s always a treat to see your versions. Enjoy!
Summer is here. Make a pitcher, invite friends, and sip something bright. And if you have a favorite gin cocktail or a not-ancient-sounding summer playlist, I’d love to hear about it.