How To Make A Party-Perfect Pimm's Cup

The standard Pimm's Cup cocktail is made by mixing Pimm's No. 1 Cup — a gin-based, botanical-infused, bottled beverage — with lemony soda, sliced fruit, and ice. And sure, you can make these drinks one by one, but if you're entertaining, it's easier to stir up a big pitcher of the cocktail in advance. Here's how:

1. Chop up your choice of garnishes. Essentials include thinly-sliced cucumbers and sprigs of mint, but other great additions are sliced strawberries, lemons, and oranges.

2.  Place your fruit slices and some ice in a large pitcher. Add one part Pimm's, three parts 7-Up or Sprite, and stir gently to combine. Ginger ale may be substituted for some or all of the lemon-flavored soda. Making your pitchers in advance? Let the Pimm's and fruit macerate and add the soda only just before you serve the cocktails.

3. To serve, pour into highball glasses, ensuring that some fruit and ice end up in each glass. Garnish with mint.