🍓 Pimm’s Cookies: A Sweet Take on a British Classic
We all know Pimm’s as the quintessential British summer drink—light, fruity, and served over ice with a garden of fresh fruit and herbs. But what if you could take all those flavors and bake them into a delightful, buttery cookie? Enter: Pimm’s Cookies.
These cookies are soft, zesty, and full of summery goodness, with citrus, strawberry, and subtle herbal notes, plus a cheeky hint of Pimm’s No.1 liqueur. Perfect for garden parties, Wimbledon watch parties, or afternoon tea with a twist.
🍹 What Inspired These Cookies?
The iconic Pimm’s and Lemonade drink is traditionally made with Pimm’s No.1 (a gin-based liqueur), fizzy lemonade, mint, cucumber, strawberries, and citrus fruits. We’ve taken inspiration from this flavor palette to create cookies that are:
- Citrus-zesty ☀️
- Fruity 🍓
- Aromatic 🌿
- And just a little boozy 🍸
Let’s dive into this summery treat.
🧾 Ingredients
Makes about 18–20 cookies
For the Cookies:
- 115g (1/2 cup) unsalted butter, softened
- 100g (1/2 cup) granulated sugar
- 50g (1/4 cup) brown sugar
- 1 egg
- 2 tbsp Pimm’s No.1 liqueur
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- Zest of 1 lemon
- Zest of 1 orange
- 190g (1 1/2 cups) all-purpose flour
- 1/2 tsp baking soda
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 75g (1/2 cup) chopped fresh strawberries (blot dry with a paper towel)
- 2 tbsp finely chopped mint leaves (optional)
Optional Glaze:
- 100g (3/4 cup) icing sugar
- 1–2 tbsp Pimm’s No.1 or lemon juice
🥄 Instructions
Step 1: Cream the Butter and Sugar
In a large bowl, beat the butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar together until light and fluffy (about 2–3 minutes).
Step 2: Add Wet Ingredients
Mix in the egg, Pimm’s liqueur, vanilla, lemon zest, and orange zest. Beat until well combined.
Step 3: Dry Ingredients
In a separate bowl, whisk together flour, baking soda, and salt. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture and mix until a soft dough forms.
Step 4: Fold in the Flavors
Gently fold in the chopped strawberries and mint (if using). The dough will be slightly sticky.
Step 5: Chill
Cover and chill the dough in the fridge for 30–60 minutes. This helps prevent spreading and intensifies the flavor.
Step 6: Bake
Preheat oven to 175°C (350°F).
Line a baking tray with parchment paper.
Scoop tablespoon-sized balls of dough and place them 2 inches apart.
Bake for 10–12 minutes, or until the edges are lightly golden.
Let cool on the tray for 5 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack.
Step 7: Glaze (Optional)
Whisk icing sugar with Pimm’s or lemon juice until smooth and drizzle over cooled cookies. Garnish with a mint leaf or tiny strawberry piece if desired.
🍪 Tips & Variations
- Make them boozier: Add an extra tablespoon of Pimm’s to the glaze for a stronger kick.
- Want them non-alcoholic?: Substitute orange juice or lemon cordial for Pimm’s.
- Use freeze-dried strawberries for a more concentrated flavor and less moisture.
- Chop ingredients small: So the cookies hold together and distribute flavor evenly.
- Don’t overbake: They should be slightly soft in the middle when you take them out.
🍓 Serve With…
- A glass of Pimm’s and Lemonade (of course!)
- Afternoon tea or picnic basket treats
- Ice cream — especially vanilla or lemon
- A summer brunch spread
Final Crumbs 🌞
Pimm’s Cookies are the ultimate whimsical treat to celebrate the flavors of summer in a whole new way. Bright, zesty, fruity, and just a bit cheeky, these cookies are perfect for when you want to impress guests—or just treat yourself to something special.
Now, it’s time to turn your favorite drink into your new favorite bake.
