10 interesting Pimm's facts to celebrate Wimbledon

01. Pimm’s first started in the 1840s

James Pimm started serving the No. 1 Cup from his Oyster bars in London in the 1840s. At the time, it was a welcome change from drinking neat gin and was served as an aid to digesting the oysters in his bar. He used the secret blend of gin, herbs and liqueur to create the world’s first ‘gin sling’ which was an immediate success and quickly became popular in other bars and restaurants in the capital.

02. There is a perfect Pimm’s to lemonade ratio

To make the perfect Pimm’s Cup, ensure you use a 3:1 ratio. For one serve, we recommend using 50ml Pimm’s to 150ml lemonade. Making a jug or pitcher? Then simply adapt your quantities, keeping the same ratio.

Find out how to make the perfect Pimm's No.1 and Lemonade here.

03. It can be enjoyed in winter, too

While it’s commonly associated with warmer weather, a bottle of Pimm’s isn’t just for summer. Serve it hot with apple juice for a delicious winter warmer.

You'll need:

• 50ml Pimm's No. 1

• 150ml Apple Juice

• 1 orange wedge

To make:

• Add the Pimm's and juice to a saucepan and heat

• Pour into a heatproof mug and garnish with an orange wedge

04. The first Pimm’s bar opened at Wimbledon in 1971

The first-ever Pimm’s bar opened at the tournament in 1971, officially cementing its status as the quintessential Wimbledon drink. It’s not the only sporting event where the Pimm’s Cup is served on rotation though – it’s also a popular order at the Royal Ascot, Chelsea Flower Show and Henley Royal Regatta.

05. But it was associated with the tournament long before that…

By the time the Pimm’s bar opened shop at Wimbledon, the drink was already synonymous with the world-famous tennis tournament thanks to decades of magazine and newspaper advertising.

06. There used to be several varieties

Ever wondered why it’s called Pimm’s No. 1? Well, that’s because it was part of a bigger range.

In fact, over time, there have been six different varieties all using different base spirits. Pimm’s No 1 has a gin base, but the other original ones are as follows:• No.2 – Scotch Whisky• No.3 – Brandy• No.3 – Rum• No. 5 – Rye Whiskey• No 6. – Vodka

No. 2, 3, 4 and 5 were all discontinued in the 1970s, and No.6 was taken off the shelves in 2021.

07. The recipe is a closely guarded secret

The distinctive taste of Pimm’s is a mixture of gin, herbs and liqueur, with complex bittersweet notes of caramelized orange, fresh citrus and herbal flavours. However, the exact recipe is a secret. The taste is a mystery to be savoured, not solved.

08. Pimm’s was awarded a Royal Warrant in 2010

With its distinctive fusion of flavours, Pimm’s is fit for a royal. Literally. The quintessential drink of the British summer was awarded a Royal Warrant in 2010.

Awarded to companies who “supply products or services on a regular or ongoing basis to the Royal Household of a Grantor for not less than five years out of the past seven.” It’s basically a regal seal of approval, given to brands enjoyed in the royal household.

09. Pimm’s has an iconic cocktail, and many others too

The classic serve is a Pimm’s Cup – Pimm’s and lemonade. However, there are a plethora of other cocktails you can make with Pimm's: The Pimm’s Fizz, Pimm’s Royal and Prim and Proper are just two of them.

10. In 2023, 330,000 Pimm’s serves were enjoyed during the two-week Wimbledon Championship

Some 532,651 attendees passed through the gates during Wimbledon last year, enjoying 330,000 serves of Pimm’s. It’s not just Pimm’s that spectators flock to buy though: per the Wimbledon website, more than 140,000 punnets of strawberries are consumed too.