Wimbledon Watchers Will Drink More Than 270,000 Pimm’s Cups This Year—Why? And What Are They?

As the intensity rises in the Wimbledon matches, there's one thing that will definitely stay refreshingly cool: Spectators are anticipated to consume over 270,000 glasses of the renowned Pimm's Cup cocktail this year at the tournament. This longstanding tradition, which dates back over half a century, is arguably on par with the popularity of the mint julep at the Kentucky Derby and the Honey Deuce at the U.S. Open.

Stanley Tucci was present at Wimbledon 2019, held at the All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club and hosted by Pimms. He was captured in a photograph taken by David M. Benett/Dave Benett/Getty Images.

The Pimm's Cup, a chilled summer beverage available at Wimbledon, has remained a constant presence at the location ever since the inception of the inaugural Pimm's bar at the All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club in 1971.

Different versions of a Pimm's cocktail have emerged over the years, all of them incorporating the essential ingredient, Pimm's No. 1. This alcoholic beverage is created from gin, blended with a range of spices, flavors, and a dash of quinine, and its origins trace back to the beginning of the 1800s.

According to Food & Wine, the classic Pimm's Cup beverage is prepared by mixing Pimm's No. 1 with a fizzy lemon soda, delicate orange and lemon slices, refreshing mint leaves, and cucumber.

Over 276,000 drinking vessels were emptied during the 2019 competition.

Pimm's Cups are also the favored drink at other significant British occasions such as the prestigious Royal Ascot horse race, the renowned Chelsea Flower Show, the esteemed Henley Royal Regatta, and the highly regarded Glyndebourne Festival Opera.

A Pimm's Cup isn't the sole necessity at Wimbledon—a staggering 191,000 servings of strawberries and cream are reportedly enjoyed during the tournament, as stated by the Sporting News. This long-standing tradition originated in the very first Wimbledon event in 1877 and can be traced back even further to King Henry VIII in the early 16th century, who made this dessert widely popular.

Catherine, the Princess of Wales, pictured at a prestigious polo event for a charitable cause in the year 2022. (Image credit: Max Mumby/Indigo/Getty ... [+] Images)

King Charles indulges in a Pimms beverage in 2013 in Tetbury, England. (Photograph taken by Chris Jackson - WPA Pool/Getty Images)

People watching tennis at the Wimbledon tournament in 2011. (Photograph by Oli Scarff/Getty Images)

Attendees at the 2023 Wimbledon Championships held at the All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club in ... [+] Wimbledon were captured by onlookers. (Photo courtesy of Steven Paston/PA Images via Getty Images)

Pimm's and bubbly, the two endorsed beverages of Wimbledon, are provided at The All England Lawn ... [+] Tennis and Croquet Club. Picture by Rebecca Naden/PA Images via Getty Images.

A person in the crowd is wearing a hat that has strawberries and Pimms on it on the fourth day of the Wimbledon tennis tournament at the All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club in London, England.

On Wednesday July 6, 2022, an onlooker grasping a container of Wimbledon Strawberries. (Image captured by Steven ... [+] Paston/PA Images through Getty Images)

A viewer captures an image of her Pimms beverage. (Photo by Jonathan Brady/PA Images via Getty ... [+] Images)

The Pimm's brand first came to life in the 1820s at a popular oyster bar in London. The bar's owner, James Pimm, began serving a special gin-based recipe in a small cup called a "No. 1 Cup," which eventually became the drink's name. Later on, Pimm introduced Pimm's No. 2, which was made with Scotch, and Pimm's No. 3, which used brandy, and so on. These offerings gained popularity, and in 1859, Pimm's began selling their beverages on a larger scale, establishing their first commercial distillery. Today, Pimm's is under the ownership of Diageo, a powerhouse in the liquor industry. Although only certain variations of Pimm's are still in production, it remains a standout choice at events all across the United Kingdom.

An overall perspective of Pimm's drinks during the third day of the Wimbledon Lawn Tennis Championships at the All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club in London, England. Image captured by Julian Finney/Getty Images.

Paying a total of £9.70 at Wimbledon will grant you the pleasure of enjoying a delightful Pimm's cocktail. The renowned tennis event has once again decided to maintain the cost of their strawberries and cream at £2.50 ($3.18) for the thirteenth consecutive year. However, it seems that sipping on a glass of Pimm's will now require you to shell out $12.33.

The juicy strawberries utilized for Wimbledon's iconic treat are carefully harvested in Kent during the early hours of the morning and promptly transported to the venue in south London to ensure optimal freshness.

Strawberries and creamy goodness a perfect pairing for Wimbledon. Snapshot captured by Adam Davy, courtesy of PA Images via Getty Images.

Activists opposing the oil industry were detained at the Wimbledon tennis tournament after inflicting a disruptive spectacle. They intruded onto the court and released confetti into the air. The incident resulted in their arrest.

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