Winter Pimm’s Punch

Arlyn Osborne
Arlyn Osborne
Arlyn is a recipe developer and food writer who studied at the French Culinary Institute in New York City. When she’s not working, she’s probably lost in a period drama or out in the garden using her hands instead of a shovel.
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published Dec 9, 2021

Pimm’s No. 1 is a fruity and lightly spiced gin-based liqueur, and it mingles beautifully with bright cranberry juice, hard apple cider, and zesty ginger beer.

Serves8 to 10

Prep5 minutes

Cook1 minute

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two glasses of pimms winter punch next to a pitcher
Credit: Photo: Joe Lingeman - Food Styling: Maggie Ruggiero

Whether I’m hosting a family gathering or a holiday party for friends, I always make a pitcher cocktail. They’re fun, easy, and instantly turn any occasion into a celebration. The Pimm’s Cup, often made with a blend of Pimm’s No. 1 and sparkling lemonade or ginger ale, is one of my favorite cocktails to enjoy on a sunny day. But a few seasonal twists turn this quintessential summer drink into a festive winter delight fit for a crowd. 

Credit: Photo: Joe Lingeman - Food Styling: Maggie Ruggiero

Pimm’s No. 1 is a fruity and lightly spiced gin-based liqueur, and it mingles beautifully with bright cranberry juice, hard apple cider, and zesty ginger beer. The result is a dazzling jewel-toned cocktail that’s refreshingly tart and delicately sweet, with a soft background of warm spices.

Pimm’s is well-known for its plethora of garnishes, and so this pitcher is decked with sliced rounds of tangy orange and fresh cranberries. It’s not necessary, but I love to set out a tray of garnishes filled with rosemary sprigs, cinnamon sticks, sliced winter citrus, and more cranberries for guests to decorate their individual glasses with. If you’re looking for a festive cocktail for a crowd, grab a pitcher and get the party started!

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Winter Pimm's Punch Recipe

Pimm’s No. 1 is a fruity and lightly spiced gin-based liqueur, and it mingles beautifully with bright cranberry juice, hard apple cider, and zesty ginger beer.

Prep time 5 minutes

Cook time 1 minute

Serves8 to 10

Nutritional Info

Ingredients

  • 1 1/2 cups

    100% unsweetened cranberry juice (not cranberry juice cocktail), divided

  • 1/4 cup

    granulated sugar

  • 1

    medium orange

  • 8 cups

    ice

  • 1 1/2 cups

    Pimm’s No. 1

  • 1 (12-ounce) bottle

    chilled hard apple cider

  • 1 (12-ounce) bottle

    chilled ginger beer

  • 1 cup

    fresh or frozen cranberries

  • Cinnamon sticks and fresh rosemary sprigs, for garnish (optional)

Instructions

  1. Place 1/2 cup of unsweetened cranberry juice and 1/4 cup granulated sugar in a large, microwave-safe measuring cup or medium bowl. Microwave in 15-second intervals, whisking in between each, until the sugar is dissolved, about 45 seconds total. Add the remaining 1 cup cranberry juice and whisk to combine.

  2. Halve 1 medium orange, then cut each half into thin half-moons. Place 8 cups ice, 1 1/2 cups Pimm’s, and the sweetened cranberry juice in a 4 1/2-quart or larger pitcher and stir to combine. Add the orange slices, 1 (12-ounce) bottle chilled hard apple cider, 1 (12-ounce) bottle chilled ginger beer, and 1 cup fresh or frozen cranberries. Stir to combine.

  3. Pour into glasses, adding ice, cranberries, and orange slices from the pitcher to each glass. Garnish each glass with a cinnamon stick and rosemary sprig if desired.

Recipe Notes

Make ahead: The sweetened cranberry juice can be made up to 2 weeks ahead and refrigerated in an airtight container.

Filed in:
Beverages
Cocktails
Drinks

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