With summer in full swing; Brits are making the most of the weather to get outside and enjoy the uncharacteristic hot spell. With each new day seeming to be labelled “the hottest yet”, some of us are beginning to wonder whether things will ever return to their milder norm.

Whilst wishful thinking might leave us imagining an eternal heat wave, the truth of the matter is that forecasts are already suggesting the end is nigh. Come rain or shine, Britain remains a popular stop for travellers and boast one of the most famous summer drinks which is sure to put a smile on your face whether you’re in the midst of a heat wave or battling the more traditional English rain.

The drink in question is of course the English staple: Pimms. Created in an oyster bar owned by James Pimm in 1840, this house drink @#$%& with fruit cuttings and liqueurs has been going strong for years. So just what is it about this celebrated drink that makes it so popular? The first Pimm’s bar opened in 1971 on the famed Wimbledon Tennis Courts and it’s been synonymous with the sport ever since.

James Pimm gradually built up an empire of bars, all of which served the drink. It became so prevalent that he decided to sell his creation to other establishments, and to this day Pimms is the number one summer drink found in bars and pubs all over England. Going back to its point of origin, nowadays over 80,000 pints of Pimm’s and lemonade are sold each year at Wimbledon alone.

The original recipe consisted of gin, a secret combination of herbs and quinine, it was even said to be good for digestion. What’s served today however has changed slightly but it’s still delicious.

For international travellers, sampling Pimms whilst spending the summer holidaying in the UK is almost mandatory. If you’re lucky enough to catch the country on a good day when the weather is on your side then you’ll certainly appreciate its refreshing nature – but where is the best location to enjoy it?

Both England and Ireland are famous for their historic and vibrant metropolises; top towns include the prominent spa city of Bath, Somerset, Bristol, Edinburgh, Newquay and if you wish to go a little further afield, Dublin. The British airline Flybe offer a number of flights across the UK. If you want to know where they fly simply look here for more cheap flights UK.

However, if you’re unable to travel to the UK this year then we say hold a Pimm’s party in your own home! The recipe couldn’t be easier. Fill a jug with ice, combine one part Pimm’s with three parts lemonade – add mint, orange segments, strawberry and cucumber slices and then sit back and enjoy something that couldn’t be more quintessentially British if it tried.

Pimms is delicious! I can no longer drink but it was always a favourite summer garden tipple . Try it with champagne for a Pimms Royale- absolutely gorgeous.

Pimms is delicious!