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Cocktail History
The Winter Pimm’s Cup is a modern cocktail that was created by the editors of PUNCH and was first published in their book Winter Drinks: 70 Essential Cold-Weather Cocktails. Just like the classic, it’s also made with Pimm’s No. 1 liqueur and lemon, but it adds in ginger syrup, swaps out the carbonated water for American lager, and tops it all off with a bounty of fragrant, 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 a type of beer made with hops, malts, yeast, and water. We used Stevens Point Brewery Point Special 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 Alcohol-Free Skippers Wet Hopped Pilsner in place of the lager.
Pimm’s No. 1 Liqueur: This is a liqueur made in England with herbs, spices, caramelized oranges, and alcohol. For a mocktail version of this drink, try homemade Pimm’s No. 1 liqueur in place of the Pimm’s No. 1 liqueur.
Lemon Juice: This is the liquid juice of a lemon. We used freshly squeezed lemon juice.
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 a slice of a blood orange that has been cut into a half wheel shape.
Cranberries: This is a small red fruit. We used fresh cranberries.
Rosemary Sprig: This is an evergreen herb.
Oregano Sprig: This is an evergreen herb with olive-green leaves and purple flowers.
Bartending Tools
To make this cocktail, you’ll need the following bar tools:
Jigger: This is used to measure and pour ingredients. We used the Japanese jigger from the A Bar Above 14-Piece Silver Bar Set.
Paring Knife: This is used to cut ingredients. We used the OXO Good Grips 3.5 Inch Paring Knife.
Juicer: This is used to juice citrus. We used the ALEEHAI Manual Fruit Juicer.
Bar Spoon: This is used to stir ingredients. We used the Barfly Stainless Steel Teardrop Bar Spoon.
Tweezers: This is used to place the garnish on the drink. We used one from the Stainless Steel Food Tweezers Set.
Cocktail Pick: This is used to hold the garnish. We used one from the Prodyne Stainless Steel & Pewter Cocktail Pick Set.
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 cracked ice.
Stir for 5-10 seconds.
Top with beer.
Stir for 3-5 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 cracked ice.
Stir for 5-10 seconds.
Top with beer.
Stir for 3-5 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 Alcohol-Free Skippers Wet Hopped Pilsner in place of the lager and homemade Pimm’s No. 1 liqueur in place of the Pimm’s No. 1 liqueur to try a booze-free version of this drink.
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More Winter Cocktails
If you like this winter-inspired 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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