Cucumber Lychee Pimm’s Cups

Finally, picnic season is fully upon us and these Cucumber Lychee Pimm’s Cups are perfect for a leisurely afternoon picnic. In fact, I have them in mind as the light, low-alcohol cocktail for my English Polo Picnic Menu. After all, next weekend there’s a match in Jersey City and yours truly intends to be there, friends and picnic in tow, including these Cucumber Lychee Pimm’s Cups. The distinctively subtle cucumbers, lychee and thai basil muddles perfectly into herbaceous flavors of the Pimm’s No. 1 liquor. A little lychee syrup goes a long way to sweeten it up just a touch, and the effervescence from the sparkling water keeps the drink light and refreshing. Serve these Cucumber Lychee Pimm’s Cups with lots of ice, plenty of gorgeous lychees, cucumbers and thai basil for garnish and they’ll help you keep the party going all afternoon long. As the drink for my Polo Picnic Menu, I paired these Cucumber Lychee Pimm’s Cups with my Salmon Burgers with Curry Mayo and Saffron Poached Apricot Almond Trifle. It’s hard to tell you which dish stole the show since leftovers were few and far between, but I will say that even the non-cocktail drinkers got on board with these easy drinking Cucumber Lychee Pimm’s Cups.

Print Recipe

Cucumber Lychee Pimm's Cups

Cucumber Lychee Pimm's Cups are a refreshing and herbaceous cocktail that's an easy, low-alcohol sipper that's perfect for hot Summer days.

Prep Time5 minutes mins

Total Time5 minutes mins

Servings: 8

Author: Barrett Bridenhagen

Ingredients

• 250 mL Pimm's Cup No. 1 think three pitchers from one bottle
• 1 liter sparkling water
• 1 20 ounce can lychees in syrup
• cucumber chunks I like Persian or English cucumbers best
• cucumber wheels
• thai basil

Instructions

• In the bottom of a large pitcher, add a handful of cucumber chunks, 8 lychees, and some thai basil. Muddle well.
• Add half of the syrup from the can of lychees, the Pimm's No. 1, and the sparkling water.
• Serve with lots of ice, lychees, and thai basil for garnish.

Notes

The proportions on this are not very important. It tastes great with a 2 parts water, 2 parts Pimm's ratio, or something as weak as I have here. Try different amounts and see what you like.