We could, of course, queue up at the crack of dawn to see the players in the flesh – something every tennis enthusiast should do at least once. But, in truth, we prefer to watch at home, enjoying close-ups of every contested line call and listening to commentary from the likes of Annabel Croft, Andrew Castle, Tim Henman and John McEnroe. And whilst we do so, we shall make the very most of it by lining up an array of deliciously summery and civilised treats to share with our fellow enthusiasts.
These are the drinks and snacks we will be ferrying out on trays for the next fortnight. Fair warning: you may need a truckload of strawberries.
Smoked Salmon, Horseradish & Cress Toasts
Jamie Oliver
There is a reason smoked salmon has endured as a staple of British summer entertaining. Salty, silky and elegant, it's made for afternoons spent watching tennis on the sofa or in the garden. Jamie Oliver's version pairs it with punchy horseradish and peppery cress atop crisp toast, creating the perfect balance of richness and freshness. Best of all, they can be assembled in minutes, leaving more time to focus on the action on Centre Court.
Get the recipe.
Cucumber Sandwiches
Afternoon Tea Expert
Search high and low for a cucumber sandwich recipe and you will mostly be greeted by those that espouse the use of cream cheese. Each to their own, obviously, but in our books, a classic cucumber sandwich contains butter. Hardly something one needs a recipe for, we grant, but we do like the Afternoon Tea Expert's suggestion of adding lemon and herbs to the butter. Our other top tip: slice the cucumber extremely fine. It's simple, yes, but we'd argue there really is no finer sandwich.
Get the recipe.
Cheese Straws
BBC Good Food
Classic, unfussy and horribly moreish, a good cheese straw has Wimbledon watching written all over it: easy to pass around, excellent with champagne and simple to make ahead.
Get the recipe.
Lucy's Strawberry Slices
BBC/ Mary Berry
Strawberries and cream are, of course, imperative when it comes to Wimbledon viewing. But as with all classics, they can withstand a twist – and we like this sweet one from Mary Berry in the form of the daintiest strawberry slices we ever did see.
Get the recipe.
Eton Mess Pots
The Kitchn
If ever there were a pudding made for Wimbledon, it is surely Eton mess. Said to have originated at Eton College, it combines just three ingredients – strawberries, whipped cream and crisp meringue – into something far greater than the sum of its parts. Delightfully unfussy and requiring barely any effort, it is precisely the sort of pudding one wants to spoon into bowls between sets, to then devour whilst perched in a deckchair in the sunshine, screen within sight.
Get the recipe.
Three-Ingredient Strawberry Ice Cream
Good Housekeeping
There are times to spend hours churning custards and carefully tempering eggs. Wimbledon fortnight is not one of them. This wonderfully simple strawberry ice cream requires just three ingredients and delivers all the sweet, creamy nostalgia one could wish for. Serve scooped into bowls alongside fresh strawberries or sandwich between crisp biscuits for an easy courtside-inspired pudding.
Get the recipe.
Strawberry & Pimm's Granita
Honest Cooking
This being our climatically capricious isle, who knows what the weather will bring. If sunshine does make an appearance, there can be few drinks more suited to Wimbledon than a strawberry and Pimm's granita topped with mint – cold, sweet and refreshing. Perfect for cooling down in tense tie-breakers.
Get the recipe.
Champagne Cup
Downton Abbey Cooks
For the Wimbledon final, it can only be something wildly celebratory. The Champagne Cup is a wonderfully old-fashioned affair – we refer you to its Downton-inspired source – that feels perfectly in keeping with the traditions of SW19. Combining champagne with citrus, cucumber and a touch of sweetness, it is lighter and more refreshing than a straight glass of fizz and ideal for sipping through a five-set epic. One can easily imagine it being served on the terraces of a grand English house a century ago – and that is reason enough for us to imbibe it on our sofas.
Get the recipe.
Wimbledon Snacks
What are the most traditional Wimbledon foods?
Strawberries and cream remain the undisputed Wimbledon classic, closely followed by cucumber sandwiches, smoked salmon canapés, summer berries and a glass of Pimm's.
What drinks are best for a Wimbledon watch party?
Pimm's, Champagne Cups, sparkling elderflower, rosé and fruit-forward cocktails all work beautifully. If the weather is warm, granitas and frozen cocktails are especially welcome.
Can I prepare Wimbledon snacks in advance?
Absolutely. Cucumber sandwiches, strawberry slices, ice cream and granita can all be prepared ahead of time, leaving you free to focus on the tennis.
What is a good Wimbledon dessert besides strawberries and cream?
Strawberry slices, Eton mess, berry pavlovas and homemade strawberry ice cream all capture the spirit of Wimbledon while offering something a little different.
What should I serve for a Wimbledon final gathering?
A combination of elegant finger food, seasonal strawberries, chilled drinks and one celebratory cocktail or champagne serve is usually all that is required. Wimbledon entertaining is at its best when it feels relaxed rather than overly formal.
Do you have to serve strawberries at Wimbledon-themed parties?
Not officially, but we'd argue it would be rather like celebrating Christmas without a tree. They're part of the ritual and one tradition well worth keeping.
