Last Updated on January 2, 2026
Perfect Pimm’s Recipes – a Summer Pimm’s Spritz.
It’s definitely summer here. I’m sitting out in the garden writing under the shade of a parasol and trying my best to avoid making a summer cocktail simply because I’ve voted Sunday as a day of rest for my liver… One of my favourite summer drinks is Pimm’s
There’s nothing worse, in my view than a Pimm’s with too much lemonade – or one that has been made without chilling everything very thoroughly first. But, get it right and you have the ultimate summer cocktail. I rather like our variation on a Pimm’s too – a Pimm’s Spritz made with sparkling wine or prosecco. Read on and find out how!
Did you know that Pimm’s was originally sold as a medicinal drink? First produced in 1823, it was intended as a way to improve digestion – James Pimm who first created it was the owner of an Oyster Bar in the City of London.
While Pimm’s was originally offered as a tonic – a gin-based drink with a secret mixture of herbs and other ingredients – it quickly became very popular and Pimm’s No 1 Cup (named after the serving cup used for the drink) was created. The original drink was followed by variations made with a base of whisky or brandy. In 1865 Pimm sold his business to Frederick Sawyer. It wasn’t until the business was acquired by Horatio Davis in 1880 that it really became popular. Horatio was responsible for starting bottling and distributing Pimm’s Number One Cup to other establishments both in the UK and throughout the British Empire.
Many people in the UK though, will associate Pimm’s with Wimbledon and other summer sporting events. At around 25% ABV from the bottle, once it’s made up into a classic Pimm’s your drink will be anything from the strength of a glass of light wine (at 1 part Pimm’s to 1 part lemonade) through to a craft beer (at 1 part Pimm’s to 3 parts lemonade). I personally don’t like my perfect Pimm’s any weaker than that…but I suspect one of the reasons the drink is so popular in the summer is that you can indulge in two or three glasses of something very refreshing without finding yourself totally under the table. And when the weather is hot, that is no bad thing.
So, how to make a perfect Pimm’s. Check here to find my own basic Pimm’s recipe – I can’t eat strawberries though I know they are often added to Pimm’s. And, I tread the middle line between what seems to me insipid (a Pimm’s to lemonade ratio of 1:3) and the ultra-strong 1:1 Pimms, which I love but know I’ll drink in far too large a quantity to be healthy.
There are all sorts of variations on Pimm’s – so while I’ve been making classic Pimm’s in London, Simon has been trying a Pimm’s Spritz in Reading. It sounds utterly delicious to me – simply replace some of the lemonade with Prosecco or another sparkling wine.
An upmarket take on a classic Pimms, the recipe for Pimms Spritz involves using sparkling wine or champagne to create a luxurious summer cocktail
- 100 ml Pimm's Number 1 Cup Chilled
- 100 ml Prosecco or sparkling wine Chilled
- 100 ml Lemonade Chilled
- 2 slices Cucumber
- 1 sprig Mint
- Ice
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Half fill a glass with ice
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Pour over the Pimms
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Top up with the Prosecco and Lemonade
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Garnish with mint and cucumber and serve
Recipe Video
Pimms Spritz Recipe
Of course, you can change the ratio of Pimm’s to suit your own palate. And, you can also use Ginger Ale or Tonic Water in place of the lemonade if you prefer a drier drink. If you are feeling totally indulgent, you can, of course, make this with Champagne rather than Prosecco – but to my mind, that’s just a bit of a waste! So, now you are all set for Wimbledon – just make yourself the perfect Pimm’s and sit back and enjoy the tennis. Even Romeo the Cat approves…
Why not pin this recipe for later – the Perfect summer Pimm’s recipe
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This would make a delicious change from my usual Pimms & lemonade
Pimms is the perfect drink for summer and is just a feel good cocktail
I love Pimms and I love Prosecco but , you know, I never thought to try them together! What a brilliant suggestion!
My wife is a great Pimms lover and I’ll let her know these recipes.
A perfectly made Pimms is a perfect summer drink. I seem to have drifted away from them over the years and I’m not entirely sure why. Thanks for the recipe and the nudge. I’ll dive in again!
This does sound really delicious, but one of those and I would have to lie down for bit. I tend to prefer a more insipid drink myself.
Increase the lemon aid ratio to 3 to 1 Pimms and 1Prosecco. you then only have 2/5 alcohol.
I quite like just making it with non-alcoholic fizz (e.g. lyres or odd bird). Then even less alcohol
My favourite drink of the Summer. This is a different recipe to what I normally use so will deffo try this one! Thanks.
Nothing is better than a Pimms, BBQ, and gorgeous good weather and good company.
Pimms with ice & lemon Mmmm lovely & refreshing Mmmm
Pimms and summer go together so well and I love your recipes. I always use mint from the garden and often add some elderflower cordial which I make in May.
I adore Pimms – it’s perfect in this summer heat
Looks absolutely delicious, something to make up for the backyard BBQ…and if it’s medicinal then it would be rude not too hehehe.
This sounds nice , very refreshing in this current weather
I love Pimms, perfect for a sunny Sunday afternoon in the garden with family & friends
Wonderful summer drink, my bottle is coming out this weekend! I have been looking for a Pimms mix recipe, yours looks simple and delicious. My shopping list is written – roll on Pimms o’clock!
This is just perfect Pimms weather so thanks for sharing this recipe! 🙂
Pimms just sums up the summer for me. Perfect.
Love a pimm’s but can never remember how much of everything to put in so will bookmark this – thanks!
Oh wow that sounds and looks absolutely lovely! I love Pimms especially in my fave cocktails.
The perfect summer drink!
Just come from the Pinkster Gin giveaway to find Pimms. Now I would drink Pimms in the summertime mixed with Gin and lemonade. You can’t have too many as you will find that you fall down a lot and if you tried to drink it at Wimbledon me’thinks they will throw you out for being too drunk. But goodness me, it goes down well and is a lot of fun – in moderation!
Pimms makes me think of summer picnics and weddings. It’s sooo nice.
Pimms is one of my fave summer drinks, last year we ordered a pitcher in a pub and when they brought it up it was full and I mean full of cucumber, turned out they had none of the other ingredients
Must admit not had a Pimm’s for ages Is nice though oh and I still haven’t got around to putting fruit in it either. Pink Gin is gorgeous too I like the ones with grapefruit infused.
I agree on all counts! The balance needs to be right, it needs to be properly chilled and the garnishes are intrinsic to the finished drink! Cheers!
I didn’t realise how old Pimms is. I must say the Pimms Spritz sounds perfect for a sundowner on our deck this evening!
Someone really should invent a non-alcoholic Pimms – I’m sure it would work really well!
I’m a teetotaller, but I must say the pictures look incredible! The drinks look so lovely! 🙂
Thank you!
I have to be honest and say that I have never tried Pimms. These recipes sound fab so may have to invest in a bottle and try them out. I have just found Pink Gin – Amazing
Pimm’s is a wonderful summer drink – very refreshing thanks to the cucumber and mint!
Pimms is one of those drinks that comes out when summer arrives, and I love it. I usually mix it 50:50 to lemonade, and let the ice melt into it which is very refreshing. I’m not a great fan of adding too much fruit, but cucumber (and mint obviously) just adds a nice fragrant element too.
Sometimes a dash of Vodka gives it a kick, or brandy to give it more of a body – often needed when sipping Pims on windy moors.
I’m loving the idea of you sipping Pimm’s on windy moors!