Former royal chef reveals the Queen’s favourite Pimm’s recipe

If you truly want to drink like royalty this summer, then former chef to the monarch Darren McGrady is here to help, after he revealed the recipe for the Queen’s favourite Pimm’s.

the Queen's favourite Pimm's
Credit: YouTube/ Darren McGrady

As we all know, Pimm’s has been a summertime favourite in England since time immemorial – from afternoons spent watching the tennis at Wimbledon to lazy picnics in one of the capital’s royal parks.

First bottled in 1823 by James Pimm, the gin-based liqueur is also reportedly a firm favourite of Her Royal Highness.

In a new YouTube video, former royal chef Darren McGrady said:

“We served Pimm’s a lot at Buckingham Palace in the summer at garden parties and things, and it’s no secret that the Queen is a lover of gin – and it’s a gin-based drink. With a splash of lemonade in there, it’s a super-refreshing drink.”

the Queen's favourite Pimm's
Credit: YouTube/Darren McGrady

But it’s the fruit additions and garnish that truly make the Queen’s Pimm’s a tipple fit for royalty.

“Forget just a slice of lemon – there are seven different things! It’s almost a fruit salad. Sliced oranges, lemons, cherries (stones removed of course) strawberries, cucumber, mint and borage”.

The video shows Darren create the royal Pimm’s by first adding the fruit garnish to the glass, before pouring over Pimm’s and lemonade to finish.

“That’s one part Pimm’s and two or three parts lemonade,” he said. “Some members of the royal family measured it the other way round and I’m not saying who!”

While we try to figure out exactly who in the Royal Family is topping up a hearty glug of Pimm’s with a small splash of lemonade, why not try out the Queen’s favourite recipe next time you reach for a glass?

We previously revealed the news that the Queen had launched her own beer – you can read the full story here.

Leave your reply

Most Recent Stories

The best vintage wines from The Champagne Masters 2023

These are the top vintage wines from the Champagne Masters 2023, featuring some outstanding fully mature fizz that’s available to buy now.

The best prestige cuvées from The Champagne Masters 2023

Continuing the listing of the best bottles from this year's Champagne Masters, we turn our attention to the top-end of the category, with the Gold- and Master-winning prestige cuvées from the competition.

Raffles names wine director for new London hotel

Vincenzo Arnese has been announced as director of wine for Raffles London at The OWO, the luxury hotel group's first UK outpost. 

What is a Hugo Spritz and how do you make one?

The Hugo Spritz cocktail recipe has amassed over 4.3 million views on TikTok, but how do you make one? Find out here.

Chef 'gobsmacked' after couple who stole £150,000 from restaurant dodge jail

Chef Stephen Terry, whose Abergavenny restaurant The Hardwick was defrauded of £150,000 by two of his employees, has slammed the judge's decision to suspend the culprits' sentences.

Most Recent Stories

The best vintage wines from The Champagne Masters 2023

These are the top vintage wines from the Champagne Masters 2023, featuring some outstanding fully mature fizz that’s available to buy now.

The best prestige cuvées from The Champagne Masters 2023

Continuing the listing of the best bottles from this year's Champagne Masters, we turn our attention to the top-end of the category, with the Gold- and Master-winning prestige cuvées from the competition.

Raffles names wine director for new London hotel

Vincenzo Arnese has been announced as director of wine for Raffles London at The OWO, the luxury hotel group's first UK outpost. 

What is a Hugo Spritz and how do you make one?

The Hugo Spritz cocktail recipe has amassed over 4.3 million views on TikTok, but how do you make one? Find out here.

Chef 'gobsmacked' after couple who stole £150,000 from restaurant dodge jail

Chef Stephen Terry, whose Abergavenny restaurant The Hardwick was defrauded of £150,000 by two of his employees, has slammed the judge's decision to suspend the culprits' sentences.