Pimm's No. 1 750ml

James Pimm mixed the first Pimm's at his London oyster bar: a gin-based fruit cup meant to be lengthened, not sipped neat. Diageo owns it now, and the US bottling is 25%.

Taken neat it is reddish-brown, bittersweet and spiced, with citrus and the gin underneath. Topped up with something fizzy, it turns into one of the easiest summer drinks there is.

There is no real substitute. If the plan is a jug of Pimm's Cup for a summer party, a garden lunch or a Wimbledon morning, this is the bottle.

The classic Pimm's Cup is Pimm's topped up with lemonade or ginger ale over ice, loaded with cucumber, fruit and mint. For a stronger cup, add a splash of gin.

More aperitifs are on our vermouth and aperitif page, and the rest of the shelf is under liqueurs and cordials. Pick it up at our Brooklyn store or get same-day delivery in Brooklyn, Manhattan & Queens.