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Cocktail History
The Winter Pimm’s Cup is a low-proof cocktail from Winter Drinks: 70 Essential Cold-Weather Cocktails by the editors of PUNCH. It’s still made with Pimm’s famous liqueur, but it swaps out some of the simple syrup for ginger and carbonation for American lager before topping it off with a bounty of cold-weather garnishes. The result is a drink entirely unique from its predecessor that’s seasonally appropriate but still bright and refreshing enough to lift anyone’s spirits in the deepest depths of winter.
Cocktail Ingredients
To make this cocktail, you’ll need the following ingredients:
American Lager: This is the base spirit. We used Stevens Point Brewery’s Dark Lager because it features mild roasted malt character and is made locally to us. For a mocktail version of this drink, try Insel Brauerei Skippers Pilsner in place of the lager.
Pimm’s No. 1 Liqueur: This is a British liqueur made with herbs, spices, caramelized oranges, and gin. For a mocktail version of this drink, use this recipe for non-alcoholic Pimm’s No. 1 Liqueur instead.
Lemon Juice: This adds sour citrus flavors for balance. We prefer to use fresh citrus juice because it’s less bitter than the bottled stuff and tastes better.
Simple Syrup: This is a sweetener made with white sugar and water. We made ours at home using Alex’s stovetop recipe.
Ginger Syrup: This is a sweetener made with ginger, white sugar, gum Arabic powder, and water. We made ours at home using Alex’s sous vide recipe.
Blood Orange Slices: This is one of the garnishes. It adds a hint of the blood orange’s sweet citrus flavor.
Cranberries: These are another garnish.
Herbs: These are the final garnish that fragrant winter herb aromas. We used rosemary and oregano from our local store.
Tasting Notes
The Winter Pimm’s Cup begins with the aroma of savory herbs and features the fascinating flavor combination of the Pimm’s herbal blend, beer’s maltiness, citrus tartness, plus a tiny bit of ginger spice.
Our Opinion of This Cocktail Recipe: Although Kendall still prefers the original Pimm’s Cup, we both enjoyed this version. We could definitely see ourselves making it at a daytime hangout in the hot tub with friends when we want to enjoy a few without getting too tipsy.
Which of our palates is yours most like?
Find out if your palate is most similar to Alex’s or Kendall’s by answering five questions.
Which of our palates is yours most like?
Find out if your palate is most similar to Alex’s or Kendall’s by answering five questions.
Alex’s Take: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
“This drink was delicious. Like most people, I love the original Pimm’s Cup so I knew this would be a hit. But I was pleasantly surprised at just how good it was. The Pimm’s liqueur’s unique herbal flavors shine through here, and when combined with the maltiness of beer, it has some extra heaviness and body. Then combined with the lemon tartness, the sugary sweetness, and a bit of ginger spice, the flavors and aromas create an experience that is indescribable. I was an immediate lover of this drink, and I will be happy to make it again and again.”—
Kendall’s Take: ⭐⭐⭐
“I’ll admit, when I saw beer in place of the ginger ale or soda water that usually tops a Pimm’s Cup, I was skeptical… but wow, does it work well in this winter-inspired variation. I would definitely describe it as having deeper flavors than the classic Pimm’s while still managing to be refreshing. The booziness is also dialed up a notch thanks to the beer, which might be something you want to remember should you plan to serve this midday. Overall, I really liked this flashy drink and would add it to my list of beer cocktails I’d make again. As far as Pimm’s Cups go though, the classic is still my favorite.”
Recipe
This cocktail recipe was adapted from Winter Drinks: 70 Essential Cold-Weather Cocktails by the editors of PUNCH.
Add Pimm's No. 1 liqueur, lemon juice, simple syrup, and ginger syrup to a highball glass filled with crushed ice.
Stir for 5-10 seconds.
Top with beer.
Stir for 5-10 more seconds.
Position blood orange slices around the outside of the ice in the glass.
Garnish with cranberries, rosemary, and oregano.
Ingredients
Directions
Add Pimm's No. 1 liqueur, lemon juice, simple syrup, and ginger syrup to a highball glass filled with crushed ice.
Stir for 5-10 seconds.
Top with beer.
Stir for 5-10 more seconds.
Position blood orange slices around the outside of the ice in the glass.
Garnish with cranberries, rosemary, and oregano.
Make It a Mocktail: Use Insel Brauerei Skippers Pilsner in place of the lager to try a booze-free version of this drink.
Tools & Glassware We Recommend
More Winter Cocktails
If you like this winter cocktail recipe, here are a few others we’ve tried that you may enjoy:
Grand Galliano: A low-proof cocktail made with Liquore Galliano L’Autentico, Grand Marnier, heavy cream, an orange twist, and grated nutmeg
Frostbite: A tequila cocktail made with blue curaçao, white crème de cacao, heavy cream, and a cherry
Winter Berry Gin Fizz: A gin cocktail made with lime juice, cranberry syrup, raspberry liqueur, soda water, cranberries, and rosemary
White Russian: A rum cocktail made with coffee liqueur, Luxardo Amaro Abano, amaretto liqueur, and half & half
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