This Autumn Apple Pimm’s Cup adapts the classic summer Pimm’s Cup into a cozy fall cocktail. It’s an easy recipe you can add to your holiday menu with minimal effort. This post originally appeared on Sugar & Soul where I contributed the recipe.
The traditional Pimm’s Cup is my favorite summer cocktail, so I created an Apple Pimm’s Cup to celebrate the flavors of autumn. Sparkling apple cider and fresh apple garnish bring crisp seasonal notes while keeping the drink light and refreshing. Make a pitcher for a crowd or mix up individual servings for a few guests—this recipe is versatile and easy to customize.
Table of Contents
- Why you’ll love this recipe
- Ingredients and substitutions
- How to make apple Pimm’s cup
- Tips
- FAQs
- More easy Pimm’s recipes
- Autumn Pimm’s Cup Recipe
Why you’ll love this recipe
- Simple to make – No bartending skills required. If you have the ingredients, you can put this drink together quickly.
- Light and flexible – The cocktail can be made as light or as boozy as you prefer without losing its refreshing character.
- Customizable – Add seasonal fruits or herbs—apples, pears, figs, persimmons, mint, or cinnamon sticks—to tailor the flavor and presentation to your taste.
Ingredients and substitutions
The complete ingredient list and measurements are in the recipe card below. Notes and substitution ideas:
- Pimm’s No. 1 – This is the base for the cocktail. If you don’t have it, some DIY versions use London dry gin, sweet vermouth, and citrus peels, but Pimm’s No. 1 gives the authentic flavor.
- Sparkling apple cider – Provides fizz and apple flavor. You can use still apple cider, but the sparkle makes the drink more lively.
- Apples – Used as garnish and to infuse subtle apple notes when left in the pitcher.
- Lemon – Toss apple pieces in a little lemon juice to prevent browning if preparing garnish ahead of time.
How to make apple Pimm’s cup
Make a pitcher
Core and cut one apple into bite-sized pieces and add them to a pitcher. Pour in 8 oz (1 cup) of Pimm’s No. 1 and a bottle of sparkling apple cider. Stir gently to combine and serve immediately over ice. Garnish each glass with additional apple slices or a cinnamon stick if desired.
Make an individual serving
Fill a tall glass with ice and a handful of apple pieces. Add 2 oz of Pimm’s No. 1 and top with sparkling apple cider. Garnish with apple slices or a cinnamon stick and serve right away.
Tips
- Make it stronger: Replace sparkling apple cider with hard apple cider for more alcohol and a bolder apple flavor.
- Scale it: The recipe yields about four servings. Double it for larger gatherings or halve it for one or two servings.
- Serve immediately: Because this cocktail uses a carbonated beverage, serve it right after mixing to retain the fizz.
- Warm variation: For a cozy hot cocktail, swap sparkling cider for hot spiced apple cider and serve warm.
FAQs
A Pimm’s Cup is a tall, refreshing cocktail made with Pimm’s No. 1 liqueur and a mixer such as ginger ale, lemonade, or cider. It’s traditionally served in the summer but adapts well to other seasons.
Pimm’s No. 1 is a gin-based liqueur (about 25% ABV) infused with herbs, spices, fruit, and botanicals. It’s the classic foundation for Pimm’s cocktails.
Common additions include ice, Pimm’s No. 1, and a carbonated mixer like ginger ale, ginger beer, lemonade, or sparkling apple cider. Fresh fruits and herbs—strawberries, lemon, lime, orange, cucumber, mint, or apples—work well as garnish and flavor enhancers. For autumn, use apples, pears, figs, or persimmons for seasonal character.
More easy Pimm’s recipes
- Winter Pimm’s Cup
- Pimm’s Sundowner
- Pimm’s Mojito
- Pimm’s Gin & Tonic
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Autumn Pimm’s Cup
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Ingredients
- 1 cup Pimm’s No. 1, 8 oz
- 1 bottle sparkling apple cider, 25.4 oz
- 1 – 2 apples
- 1 lemon
- Cinnamon sticks for garnish, optional
Instructions
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Wash the fruit. Squeeze lemon juice into a shallow bowl, then slice or cube the apples and toss them immediately in the lemon juice to prevent browning. Pat the pieces dry on a paper towel if needed.
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To make a pitcher: Add the apple pieces from one apple to a pitcher, pour in the Pimm’s No. 1 and the sparkling apple cider, and stir gently to combine. Serve over ice and garnish with extra apple slices or a cinnamon stick if desired.
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To make an individual serving: Fill a tall glass with ice and a handful of apple pieces. Pour in 2 oz of Pimm’s No. 1 and top with sparkling apple cider. Garnish and enjoy immediately.
Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated and should be used as an estimate only.
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