This Citrus Pimm's Cup is the ultimate summer cocktail. It's easy to make, and can be made as a single drink, made ahead, or in a large batch.
It's almost summer, and it's almost the weekend. So what does that mean? It's time for a drink! This week I'm bringing you one of my favorite cocktail recipes, and the first cocktail recipe I've ever added to the blog 😮.
Trust me, I was very surprised to see that I had never even created a beverage category on my blog when I went to add this recipe. Well here you go. This one is my favorite: Citrus Pimm's Cup Cocktails.
This recipe differs from your typical Pimm's Cup, which typically feature cucumber. I've based my recipe on the Pimm's Cup made at Bar Tonique in New Orleans.
Mr. Dreamboat and I visited the bar in the French Quarter on a vacation several years ago and fell in love with their drinks which are all hand-crafted with homemade ingredients. Their Pimm's Cup was a favorite of ours, and I set out to replicate it based on their menu description when I got home.
How to Make Citrus Pimm's Cup
I've provided 3 different methods to making this cocktail. The first is a make-ahead method using lemon and lime zest. This method is great if you know you'll want a cocktail in a few hours, and it's a little more flavorful as it allows time for the zest to steep in the juice.
The second method is the "I need a drink right now method". It omits the lemon and lime zest and allows you to be drinking a delicious cocktail in just minutes.
The third method is a large batch method. You will need a 2-liter pitcher or bottle for this method. It's another make-ahead method so that when your guests arrive, all you need to do is pour over ice and top off with club soda. Cheers!
Citrus Pimm's Cup Ingredients
The recipe features orange, lemon, and lime juices. While you can definitely use store-bought bottled juices (I often do), consider how impressed your guests will be if you tell them you hand-squeezed the juice yourself.
The recipe also calls for demerara simple syrup. Simple syrup is just a sweet syrup made by dissolving sugar into an equal amount of hot water. In this case, demerara sugar, or raw cane sugar is used. The demerara sugar lends a slight molasses flavor, but you can definitely use granulated sugar instead. Make sure you make the simple syrup ahead of time, as it will need to cool.
- Orange juice - you will need at least 3 medium naval oranges for this, or buy high-quality orange juice.
- Zest of one lemon - This is only required for the make-ahead version of the drink.
- Zest of one lime - This is only required for the make-ahead version of the drink.
- Lemon juice - Fresh-squeezed lemon juice works best, but bottled will work in a pinch too.
- Lime juice - Fresh-squeezed lime juice works best, but bottled will work in a pinch too.
- Demerara syrup - You will need demerara sugar to make this. See the note in the recipe for instructions.
- Pimm's liqueur - Pimm's is a gin-based liqueur that is flavored with fruit, herbs, and spices. It can be difficult to find, so look for it at a well-stocked liquor store.
- Club soda or sparkling water (unflavored, lemon, or lime)
- Ice
Want more citrus cocktail recipes?
Citrus Pimm's Cup Nutrition Notes
The nutrition information in the recipe below is for one Pimm's Cup. Note that both the Make-Ahead and the Make-Right-Now versions of the recipe make two cocktails. The Large Batch recipe makes approximately 8 cocktails.
Citrus Pimm's Cup Cocktails
Equipment
- Cocktail Shaker (optional, for Make Right Now method only)
Ingredients
- 6 ounces orange juice from 3 medium navel oranges
- zest of one lemon (optional)
- zest of one lime (optional)
- 1 ounce lemon juice from 1 lemon
- 1 ounce lime juice from 1-2 limes
- 2 ounces demerara syrup
- 4 ounces Pimm's liqueur
- club soda (unflavored, lemon, or lime)
- ice
Instructions
Method 1 - Make-Ahead
- Stir 6 ounces (170 ml) orange juice , lemon zest, lime zest, 1 ounce (30 ml) lemon juice , 1 ounce (30 ml) lime juice , 2 ounces (60 ml) demerara syrup, and 4 ounces (115 ml) Pimm's liqueur together in a large glass measuring cup. Cover with plastic and refrigerate at least 2 hours, or up to 24 hours. Strain mixture through a fine mesh sieve into two glasses filled with ice. Top with club soda and garnish with extra slices of lime or lemon, if desired.
Method 2 - Make Right Now
- Fill a cocktail shaker halfway with ice. Add 6 ounces (170 ml) orange juice , 1 ounce (30 ml) lemon juice , 1 ounce (30 ml) lime juice , 2 ounces (60 ml) demerara syrup, and 4 ounces (115 ml) Pimm's liqueur (omit lemon and lime zest) and shake well. Pour into two glasses filled with ice. Top with club soda and garnish with extra slices of lime or lemon, if desired.
Method 3 - Large Batch Make-Ahead
- Pour 3 cups orange juice, ½ cup lemon juice, ½ cup lime juice, 1 cup demerara syrup, and 2 cups Pimm's liquer to a large pitcher or bottle (the recipe makes almost 2 quarts/liters, so choose your container accordingly). Refrigerate at least 2 hours until chilled. Pour into glasses filled with ice leaving about ¼ of the glass empty. Top with club soda and garnish with extra slices of lime or lemon, if desired. Note that this recipe makes approximately 8 drinks.
Notes
Add ½ cup water and ½ cup demerara sugar (raw cane sugar) to a small saucepan over medium high heat. Stir while bringing to a boil until sugar is dissolved. Remove from heat. Chill before using. Store extra syrup in the refrigerator.
Nutrition
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