How to Recreate the Magic of a Vintage British Summer with DIY Pimms and Festive Cocktails!
Now that I’ve moved to the USA to join my American husband, I find myself longing for that quintessential British summer vibe. But who says I can’t bring a bit of England to our backyard gatherings here in the States?
Summer in the UK has its own kind of magic, and for me, nothing captures that better than a glass of Pimms (or Pimm’s Cup) on a sunny day. Whether it’s a wedding, a polo match, or a formal garden party, Pimms is the classy drink of choice for Brits when the weather turns warm.
The challenge? Pimms isn’t exactly easy to come by outside the UK. But don’t worry! I’ve crafted a homemade Copycat Pimms recipe that’s just as delightful as the original. And once you’ve whipped up a batch, I’ve got ten fun and creative pitcher cocktail recipes to keep your summer celebrations going!
Before we get into the recipes, let’s talk essentials…
Summer Hosting Essentials for Pimms Parties
To host your own British-inspired summer soiree, make sure you have the right tools:
- Fun Pimm’s Signs: Give a nod to the British tipple with these fun signs.
- Large Glass Pitchers: Essential for mixing and serving your homemade Pimms cocktails in style.
- Reusable Straws: Eco-friendly and perfect for sipping summer drinks.
- Ice Cube Molds: Try floral or fruit-shaped molds for a decorative touch.
- Tall Glasses: Ideal for serving these colorful cocktails.
- Garnish Picks: Handy for skewering fruit and herbs to elevate your presentation.
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Now, let’s bring a little British summer to your backyard!
Homemade Copycat Pimms Recipe
Ingredients:
- 1 cup gin
- ¼ cup sweet vermouth
- ¼ cup orange liqueur (such as Cointreau)
- 2 tbsp herbal liqueur (such as Benedictine or Drambuie)
- 1 cup lemonade (UK-style fizzy lemonade, or use lemon soda)
- 1 tbsp Angostura bitters
- ½ cucumber, thinly sliced
- 1 orange, sliced into rounds
- 1 handful strawberries, hulled and halved
- 1 handful mint leaves
Instructions: In a large pitcher, combine the gin, sweet vermouth, orange liqueur, herbal liqueur, lemonade, and Angostura bitters. Stir well. Add the cucumber slices, orange slices, strawberries, and mint leaves. Let the mixture sit in the fridge for at least an hour to let the flavors meld. Serve over ice in tall glasses, topping with a splash of sparkling water if desired.
Why It’s Special: This Copycat Pimms brings the botanical complexity of the original, perfectly paired with fresh summer fruits and herbs.
Hosting Tip: Make a double batch if you’re serving a crowd—this refreshing drink will disappear quickly!
1. Classic Pimms Pitcher
Ingredients:
- 2 cups homemade Pimms
- 2 cups lemonade (fizzy lemon soda)
- 1 cup sparkling water
- Slices of orange, lemon, and cucumber
- Fresh strawberries, halved
- Handful of mint leaves
Instructions: In a large pitcher, combine the Pimms, lemonade, and sparkling water. Stir gently to mix. Add the orange slices, lemon slices, cucumber slices, and strawberries. Top with mint leaves for a fragrant finish. Serve over ice with extra fruit garnishes if desired.
Why It’s Special: This is the iconic Pimms cocktail Brits know and love—refreshing, fruity, and perfect for sunny afternoons.
Hosting Tip: Use chilled ingredients to keep the drink crisp and refreshing.
2. Berry Bliss Pimms Punch
Ingredients:
- 2 cups homemade Pimms
- 1 cup cranberry juice
- 1 cup raspberry soda
- 1 handful fresh raspberries
- 1 handful fresh blueberries
- Slices of lemon and lime for garnish (optional)
Instructions: Combine the Pimms, cranberry juice, sliced citrus, and raspberry soda in a pitcher. Stir to mix. Add raspberries, blueberries, and lime slices. Let chill in the fridge for 30 minutes before serving. Serve over ice with additional berries as garnish.
Why It’s Special: The tartness of berries perfectly balances the sweetness of Pimms, creating a punch that’s as vibrant as it is delicious.
Hosting Tip: Freeze some berries ahead of time and use them as edible ice cubes.
3. Citrus Cooler Pimms
Ingredients:
- 2 cups homemade Pimms
- 1 cup fresh orange juice
- 1 cup sparkling grapefruit soda
- Slices of orange, grapefruit, and lemon
- Fresh thyme sprigs for garnish
Instructions: Mix the Pimms, orange juice, and grapefruit soda in a large pitcher. Stir gently. Add slices of orange, grapefruit, and lemon for a citrusy punch. Top with thyme sprigs. Serve over ice for a zesty, aromatic cocktail.
Why It’s Special: Bright citrus flavors and herbal thyme make this drink a sophisticated twist on the classic.
Hosting Tip: Use pink grapefruit for a visually stunning presentation.
4. Tropical Pimms Paradise
Ingredients:
- 2 cups homemade Pimms
- 1 cup pineapple juice
- 1 cup coconut water
- Sliced pineapple and mango
- Fresh thyme leaves
Instructions: In a pitcher, combine Pimms, pineapple juice, and coconut water. Stir until well mixed. Add sliced pineapple, mango, and thyme leaves for a tropical vibe if desired. My husband isn’t overly a fan of chunks of fruit so I leave them out for him. Serve over ice in tall glasses, garnished with pineapple wedges.
Why It’s Special: This tropical spin transports you to an island getaway while keeping the Pimms charm intact.
Hosting Tip: Toast shredded coconut and rim your glasses for a touch of elegance.
5. Spiced Autumn Pimms
Ingredients:
- 2 cups homemade Pimms
- 1 cup spiced apple cider
- 1 cup ginger beer
- Sliced apples and pears
- Cinnamon sticks for garnish
Instructions: Combine Pimms, spiced apple cider, and ginger beer in a pitcher. Stir gently to mix. Add sliced apples and pears for a sweet, crisp flavor. Garnish with cinnamon sticks. Serve over ice or warm it slightly for a cozy fall drink.
Why It’s Special: Warm spices and crisp fruit make this version perfect for transitioning from late summer into fall.
Hosting Tip: Offer guests the option to drink it chilled or gently heated for a mulled twist.
6. Peachy Pimms Bliss
My personal favorite. A luscious twist on the classic Pimms, featuring juicy peaches and fragrant basil for a summer-perfect refreshment!
Ingredients:
- 1 cup homemade Pimms
- 1 cup peach juice
- 1 cup sparkling water
- 2 fresh peaches, sliced
- Handful of fresh basil leaves
- Ice cubes
Instructions: In a pitcher, combine homemade Pimms, peach juice, and sparkling water. Add ice cubes, peach slices, and torn basil leaves. Stir gently to mix the flavors. Serve in glasses with additional peach slices and a sprig of basil for garnish.
Why It’s Special: The combination of juicy peaches and herbal basil creates a refreshing and aromatic cocktail that screams summer.
Hosting Tip: Offer guests peach wedges on cocktail sticks for a fun garnish or snack.
7. Cucumber and Elderflower Spritz
A crisp and floral Pimms cocktail, perfect for elegant garden parties.
Ingredients:
- 1 cup homemade Pimms
- 1 cup elderflower cordial
- 1 cup soda water
- ½ cucumber, thinly sliced
- Handful of fresh mint leaves
- Ice cubes
Instructions: Fill a pitcher with ice cubes and add homemade Pimms, elderflower cordial, and soda water. Stir gently. Add cucumber slices and mint leaves. Serve chilled in tall glasses, garnished with an extra slice of cucumber.
Why It’s Special: The light, floral notes of elderflower pair beautifully with crisp cucumber, creating an effortlessly classy drink.
Hosting Tip: Serve with dainty cucumber sandwiches for a perfectly British pairing.
8. Pimms Pineapple Punch
A tropical explosion of pineapple, coconut, and lime, transforming Pimms into a sunny island escape.
Ingredients:
- 1 cup homemade Pimms
- 1 cup pineapple juice
- ½ cup coconut water
- 1 lime, sliced
- Pineapple chunks for garnish
- Ice cubes
Instructions: In a pitcher, mix homemade Pimms, pineapple juice, and coconut water. Add ice cubes and lime slices. Stir well. Serve in glasses topped with pineapple chunks and a sprinkle of shredded coconut for a tropical vibe.
Why It’s Special: The tropical flavors of pineapple and coconut make this Pimms cocktail a delightful escape to paradise.
Hosting Tip: Pair with grilled pineapple skewers to enhance the tropical theme.
9. Berry Lemonade Pimms
A sweet and tangy combination of berries and homemade lemonade, perfect for a picnic or BBQ.
Ingredients:
- 1 cup homemade Pimms
- 1 cup fresh lemonade
- 1 cup soda water
- ½ cup mixed berries (strawberries, blueberries, raspberries)
- Lemon slices for garnish
- Ice cubes
Instructions: Combine homemade Pimms, lemonade, and soda water in a large pitcher. Add mixed berries and lemon slices. Stir gently. Serve over ice in clear glasses to show off the vibrant colors, garnished with extra berries and lemon wedges.
Why It’s Special: This fruity, zesty cocktail is as refreshing as it is visually stunning.
Hosting Tip: Pre-freeze some berries in ice cubes to keep the drinks chilled and colorful.
10. Ginger and Apple Spark Pimms
A warm and spicy twist on Pimms, perfect for late-summer evenings.
Ingredients:
- 1 cup homemade Pimms
- 1 cup ginger ale
- 1 cup fresh apple juice
- 1 green apple, thinly sliced
- 1-inch piece of fresh ginger, grated
- Ice cubes
Instructions: In a pitcher, combine homemade Pimms, ginger ale, and apple juice. Add apple slices and grated ginger. Stir well and serve over ice in tall glasses. Garnish with extra apple slices and a twist of candied ginger.
Why It’s Special: The zingy ginger complements the sweetness of apple juice, adding a cozy yet refreshing vibe to this Pimms cocktail.
Hosting Tip: Serve with spiced apple crisps for a delightful pairing.
The Takeaway
With this DIY Copycat Pimms recipe and five pitcher-perfect cocktails, you can bring a touch of British summer to any gathering in the US. Whether you’re hosting a garden party, BBQ, or just relaxing on a warm afternoon, these drinks will make your summer feel truly magical.
What to Read Next?
If you loved this, check out our guide to hosting an English-style tea party!
Share
Let us know in the comments if you’ve tried the Copycat Pimms or one of these cocktails. Don’t forget to like and share this article with your friends—it’s time to spread the Pimms love!
Last update on 2025-04-17 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
