Pimm’s Original No. 1 Cup Liqueur
Pimm's Original No. 1 Cup Liqueur is the quintessential taste of the English summer: a gin-based fruit cup steeped in tradition since the 1840s, bottled at 25% ABV (50 proof) in a 750mL bottle. James Pimm, a London oyster-bar owner, created it as a gin sling to aid digestion; the secret recipe — dry gin infused with fruits, herbs, botanicals, and spices — is still known in fragments by only six custodians, none permitted to travel together. It is the effortless heart of the classic Pimm's Cup. Order it online at Del Mesa Liquor, San Diego, CA.
- ABV: 25% (50 proof) — 750mL
- Style: gin-based fruit cup liqueur — the original No. 1 recipe
- Origin: London, England — created by James Pimm in the 1840s; now produced by Diageo
- Character: citrus, warming spice, and subtle herbal notes with caramel and dried fruit
- Serve: the classic cup — 1 part Pimm's, 3 parts lemonade, cucumber, mint, strawberries
The Drink of Wimbledon, Since the 1840s
Pimm's was sent to soldiers at the far edges of the Empire, served at Queen Victoria's lunches, and made its debut at Wimbledon in 1971, where it still holds pride of place. The magic is restraint: a low-ABV, bittersweet gin infusion built for a jug, a pitcher, and a long afternoon. Deep amber in the glass, it drinks like summer itself. See more from Pimm's or browse liqueurs at Del Mesa.
Tasting Notes
Citrus and warming spice over a gentle herbal backbone, with caramel and dried fruit on the palate; light-bodied, refreshing, and elegantly bittersweet (per the producer's profile).
How to Enjoy
Build the classic: 1 part Pimm's to 3 parts lemonade over lots of ice, garnished with cucumber ribbons, mint sprigs, strawberries, and orange wheels. It is also a natural spritz with ginger ale.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Pimm's No. 1 made from?
Dry gin infused with a proprietary blend of fruits, spices, herbs, and botanicals — the exact recipe is a closely guarded secret.
What is the alcohol content?
25% ABV (50 proof) — deliberately low, built for session-style summer drinking.
How do you make a classic Pimm's Cup?
One part Pimm's No. 1 to three parts lemonade over ice, with cucumber, mint, and fruit.
The signpost of British summertime — order Pimm's Original No. 1 Cup Liqueur online at Del Mesa Liquor, San Diego, CA.