Pimm's No. 1 Cup

The original English fruit cup, created by London oyster-bar owner James Pimm in the 1840s as a digestive tonic served in a small tankard — the "No. 1 Cup" of the name. The recipe remains proprietary: a gin base steeped with caramelized orange, herbs, and spice, bottled at 25% ABV, which is what makes it a session drink rather than a nightcap. Bittersweet, faintly medicinal in the good way, and inseparable from Wimbledon fortnight.

Cocktails: Pimm's Cup — one part Pimm's, three parts lemonade or ginger ale over ice with cucumber, orange, strawberry, and mint · Pimm's Royale — topped with sparkling wine instead · Pimm's & Tonic with a long cucumber ribbon, for something drier