How Many Syns in Pimms No.1?

Pimms No.1 is the quintessential British summer drink, a gin-based fruit cup with herbal and citrus undertones that practically demands a deckchair, a punnet of strawberries and a tennis match on the telly. For Slimming World members trying to enjoy a sunny afternoon without derailing their week, Pimms sits squarely in the alcohol section of the syns book, with a 25ml measure costing roughly 2 syns and a more generous 50ml pour weighing in at about 4 syns.

Because the spirit itself is around 25% ABV, the syn count is lower than a standard 25ml gin or vodka, which makes it a relatively friendly choice when you want something long, slow and refreshing rather than a quick shot. The trick, of course, is the mixer.

Traditional Pimms is built with lemonade, mint, cucumber, orange and strawberry, and the lemonade is where most people accidentally double their syn spend. Swapping in sugar-free lemonade or diet ginger ale brings the total drink back to just the syns in the spirit itself, leaving room for a treat later.

The fruit and cucumber garnish is free, so pile it high in a tall glass for that proper jug-of-Pimms feeling without any extra cost. It is worth measuring carefully though, because Pimms is one of those drinks that slips down dangerously easily and the syns add up faster than you might think across an afternoon.

A jug shared between four, made with diet mixer and plenty of ice, is a genuinely sociable way to mark the start of British summertime while keeping your weekly syn allowance intact. Pair it with a free salad-and-new-potato spread and you have a Wimbledon-worthy lunch that still leaves you on plan come weigh-in day.