Pimm's Cup — Traditional British summer cocktail

Pimm's Cup

Traditional British summer cocktail

Number of people

Ingredients

  • 1/2 ozFresh Lemon Juice
    Fresh squeezed
    Substitute: Lime acceptable
  • 2 dashesAngostura Aromatic Bitters
    Classic spice complexity
    Substitute: Orange bitters
  • 4 ozGinger Beer
    Quality ginger beer
    Substitute: Fever-Tree preferred
  • 2 ozPimm's No. 1
    British aperitif
  • 1/2 ozSimple Syrup
    Light simple syrup
    Substitute: Honey syrup

Instructions

  1. Add 2 oz Pimm's No. 1, 1/2 oz fresh lemon juice, and 1/2 oz simple syrup to Collins glass filled with ice
  2. Add 2 dashes Angostura bitters
  3. Top with 4 oz quality ginger beer
  4. Stir gently to combine
  5. Garnish with cucumber slice and fresh mint

Technique Notes

Slap the mint rather than muddling it, and add it after the build. Muddled mint shreds and travels through every sip; slapped, it gives up its oil and stays out of the way.

Why the Pimm's Cup Works

Pimm's is gin-based and already lightly bittered with quinine and citrus peel; ginger beer doubles down on the spice and supplies the length. Angostura sharpens the existing botanicals rather than introducing a new flavour, and a small amount of lemon keeps the drink crisp on a hot day.

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