Pimms made it famous, Never Never is making it ours

The Victorian era may have been considered repressed, but perhaps that’s why the Fruit Cup was invented, to loosen the stiff upper lips of the British. The English may have had the idea, but McLaren Vale distillery, Never Never has put an Aussie spin on this Wimbledon classic.

A concoction of fruit, liqueur, spices, and gin has lubricated many-a-garden-party, and it is back on the radar thanks to the Aussie take on the quintessential Pimms No. 1 Cup, Never Never Distilling Co's Fancy Fruit Cup, a contemporary version of an aperitif infusing gin with fruit and tea.

Crafted for summer from Never Never's award-winning Triple Juniper Gin, lengthened with Earl Grey tea and sweetened with Marionette's barrel-aged Orange Curaçao, it’s a cocktail in a bottle. The summer recipe calls for equal parts Fancy Fruit Cup, lemonade and dry ginger ale, along with your favourite seasonal fruit garnishes.

"If you're a fan of Pimms then guess what, you're a Fruit Cup lover," says Baxter. "We basically took what the English gave us and just made it better, just like our gin," says Never Never Brand Director, Sean Baxter.

"While it may be an international success story, Pimms No 1 Cup is still a quintessentially English drink, especially if you've ever been to Wimbledon. Given the incredible booze being created in Australia today we thought…maybe we should have our own! Luckily, our very talented liqueur-making friends over at Marionette agreed, and the Fancy Fruit Cup was born."

"A Fancy Fruit Cup is the quintessential summer sipper," says Baxter, " whether it's served as a punch over a long lunch, or a single serve on a hot afternoon, it's the perfect way to celebrate the Australian summer months."

Baxter recommends using orange, strawberries, cucumber and mint and build it in a glass, jug, bowl or decanter, depending on how many thirsty mouths are around. 

We think this could be the next big thing at the Australian Open. There's just something about tennis, sunshine, lawn courts and Fruit Cups.

Never Never’s Fancy Fruit Cup is 27% ABV at RRP $56.00 for 500 mL bottle.

Available from Never Never here and BWS, Dan Murphy's, Booze Bud and selected retailers nationally.