Winter Pimm’s Cup
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This winter Pimm's Cup is a refreshing seasonal spin on a popular summertime drink. It's Pimm's no.1 mixed with brandy, vanilla, and maple syrup and topped with ginger beer. It's easy to make, fun to sip, and it's ready in just 5 minutes!
Warm up on cold winter days by wrapping your hands around a hot toddy or a spiked apple cider.
This winter take on the Pimm's Cup is everything we love about the original fruity drink with a unique seasonal spin.
It's actually based on a discontinued (in most parts of the world) liquor called Pimm's no. 3. Sometimes called Winter Cup, it was a brandy-based liquor that had sweet caramel, cinnamon, and orange flavors. This version is refreshing, light, and bubbly, but infused with warming winter flavors like maple, vanilla, ginger, and cinnamon.
Making this winter Pimm's Cup is quick and easy with ingredients that you're likely to have on hand. Simply stir together the Pimm's, brandy, vanilla, and maple syrup with ice, pour it into glasses, and top it off with some spicy ginger beer.
Then, in true Pimm's cup fashion, garnish it to the nines with seasonal fruit, herbs, and spices (basically, anything you can think of).
It's a great drink for a winter happy hour, it looks festive for a crowd, and it's sure to lift spirits in the depths of winter.
What is Pimm's No. 1?
Pimm's No. 1 is a gin-based liqueur that tastes subtly of spice and citrus and has a reddish brown tint. It was first produced in the late 1800s by James Pimm, the son of a farmer who owned an oyster bar in London, England.
Although it's widely available, it's most popular in England and is most commonly used for Pimm's Cup cocktails, which are normally served as a refreshing summertime drink. Fun fact: Pimm's is one of two staple drinks at the Wimbledon tennis tournament, alongside champagne!
Winter Pimm's cup ingredients
Here's what you need to make this refreshing Pimm's winter cup:
- Pimm's No. 1ā this gin-based liqueur is the most popular of the Pimm's cups with notes of spice and citrus.
- Brandy ā with its unique sweet and fruity taste, brandy is the perfect complementing spirit for this winter Pimm's cup.
- Vanilla ā vanilla extract adds warmth and enhances all the other flavors in this drink.
- Maple syrup ā for a touch of sweet maple flavor.
- Ginger beer ā we like spicy ginger beer, but any kind of ginger beer will work. For a more subtle ginger flavor, you can use ginger ale instead.
- Orange slices, apple slices, rosemary, cinnamon sticks, cranberries ā or anything else you can think of, for garnish.
How to make a winter Pimm's Cup
There's no occasion that isn't made better by a Pimm's Cup. This winter version is easy to make in just three simple steps:
- Pour all the ingredients (except the ginger beer) into a jar or cocktail shaker with ice, and stir.
- Fill a highball glass with ice and any garnishes you want inside (we use some cranberries and an orange slice).
- Pour the Pimm's mixture into the glass, top with ginger beer, and then garnish with anything you can think of!
Recipe FAQs
Can I make it ahead of time?
If you're hosting, you can get a head start and prepare some elements of a Pimms Cup ahead of time. Prepare the garnishes and stir together the Pimm's, brandy, vanilla, and maple syrup. Wait until you're ready to serve it before stirring the Pimm's mixture with ice, pouring it into glasses, and topping it with ginger beer.
How do I make a pitcher of winter Pimm's Cup?
It's easy to make a pitcher of winter Pimm's Cup. Simply scale the ingredients up, add them to a pitcher with some ice, and garnish liberally.
Can I substitute the Pimm's?
Pimm's has a wonderfully unique flavor that is hard to substitute. In a pinch, you can try using 1 part gin, 1 part red vermouth, and ā part Bols.
Best garnishes for a winter Pimm's Cup
Pimm's cups are known for being well-garnished, so don't hold back! Here are a few of our favorite seasonal garnish ideas to get you started:
- Fresh herbs like rosemary or mint
- Citrus slices or wedges like orange, lemon, or lime
- Apple or pear slices
- Slices of fresh or candied ginger
- Warm spices like cinnamon sticks or whole star aniseSkewers of cranberries or maraschino cherries
Popular winter cocktails
Winter Pimm's Cup Recipe
Ingredients
- 2 ounces Pimm's No 1
- 1 ounce brandy
- 1 tablespoon vanilla
- 1 tablespoon maple syrup
- 3 ounces ginger beer (or ginger ale)
- orange slices, apple slices, rosemary, cinnamon sticks, and cranberries (to garnish)
Instructions
- Fill a jar or cocktail mixer halfway full with ice. Add the Pimm's, brandy, vanilla, and maple syrup and stir well.2 ounces Pimm's No 1, 1 ounce brandy, 1 tablespoon vanilla, 1 tablespoon maple syrup
- Add ice, and any garnishes you want inside, to a highball glass.
- Pour the Pimm's into the glass and then top it with ginger beer and as many garnishes as you can.3 ounces ginger beer, orange slices, apple slices, rosemary, cinnamon sticks, and cranberries
Notes
Nutrition
We have thoroughly tested this recipe for accuracy. However, individual results may vary. See our full recipe disclosure here.
Looking for more inspiration? Check out all of our cocktail recipes!
