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Pimm’s No. 1 is the Pimm’s Cup at its plainest: Pimm’s No.1 over ice, topped with 7-Up, with lemon and cucumber peel in the glass. No mint, no strawberry, no fruit salad. Stripped back like this it becomes an easy afternoon drink rather than an occasion.
What stands out here is the ratio. One ounce of Pimm’s to five ounces of soda is a long pour, noticeably lighter than the one-to-three most bartenders work to. That makes it very drinkable on a hot day, though it also means the caramel and citrus notes in the Pimm’s sit further back than usual. If the drink tastes thin, the ratio is why.
Glass: Highball glass | Strength: Light | Serves: 1 | Prep Time: 2 minutes
Bartender’s tip: Use both peels, not just the lemon. Cucumber is the ingredient that makes a Pimm’s taste like a Pimm’s, and at this dilution it is doing more work than usual. Peel it in a wide strip rather than slicing it, since a strip releases more aroma and does not water the drink down as it sits.
Steps
- Pour Pimm's over ice cubes in a large highball glass.
- Fill with 7-up, add twists of lemon and cucumber peel, and serve.
