Afternoon Tea Week is back! From chocolate fudge cake at The Ritz to hotels offering discounts and promotions, here are the events not to be missed in London this year
Freshly-baked scones, delicate cakes, fine teas and Champagne… it’s hard not to like afternoon tea. Need an excuse to indulge? Six days in August have been dedicated to this great British tradition. Hurrah!
From 10 – 16 August, Afternoon Tea Week will take place across the UK. The schedule includes limited edition themed menus, talks, tastings and exclusive offers in some of the most popular tea hotspots. As many of the most iconic afternoon tea locations can be found in London, we’ve rounded up a few of the highlights on the capital’s calendar.
MORE: 11 AFTERNOON TEAS WITH A DIFFERENCE
1.Literary Afternoon Tea with Rosie Millard at Conrad St James Hotel
Conrad St James is celebrating the week by hosting a Literary Afternoon Tea with Rosie Millard on 13 August. Guests will receive the Summer in the City Afternoon Tea (iced tea, fresh scones infused with coconut and pineapple, jelly ‘cocktails’ and more) while Rosie talks about her new book, The Square. Tickets are £35 per person and include a signed copy of Rosie’s novel. Book at afternoontea.co.uk/conrad-st-james. Don’t miss out on this offer either – 25% off the Summer in the City tea plus free flowing champagne!
Summer in the City Afternoon Tea at Conrad St James
2.Summer Tea on the Terrace at St Ermin’s Hotel
This summer, St Ermin’s Hotel in St James is doing afternoon tea alfresco. Chef Adam Handling has created a unique menu packed with seasonal treats including yuzu posset and lemon and rose drizzle cake, which will be served with a selection of Newby teas and unlimited champagne for £35 per person. And the terrace setting? Quite simply, it’s stunning. sterminshotel.co.uk
3.Agatha Christie Afternoon Tea at Brown’s
2015 marks the 125th anniversary of Agatha Christie’s birth and this Green Park hotel will be commemorating her life and love of literature with a special afternoon tea in the English Tea Room. Expect to be treated to a selection of delicacies mentioned in the crime writer’s books and inspired by her most famous character, Miss Marple. afternoontea.co.uk/browns-hotel
4.Historical Afternoon Tea at Dennis Servers’ House
For tea with a difference, go back in time with a Georgian dining experience at Dennis Servers’ House in Spitalfields. On 14 August, Kerstin Rodgers, aka food blogger and supper club founder Ms Marmite Lover, will host a tea inspired by the history of this time capsule on Folgate Street. Kerstin will be sourcing recipes from cookbooks from the 18th century, with crumpets, rock cakes and rosewater biscuits already planned for the menu. Tickets are £75 each and can be booked here. Find out more about what’s in store at msmarmitelover.com
The drawing room inside Dennis Servers’ house
5.Musical Afternoon Tea at The Ampersand
To celebrate the 2015 Proms, The Ampersand in Kensington has created a special Musical Afternoon Tea menu, featuring a selection of themed pastries from gingerbread double bass to Earl Gray opera cake. Even better, the hotel is offering 25% discount during Afternoon Tea Week. afternoontea.co.uk/the-ampersand-hotel
6.2 for 1 Champagne High Society Tea at Café Royal
Enjoy the most glamorous afternoon tea in town at Café Royal’s Oscar Wilde Bar (formerly the iconic Grill Room) and make the most of this special offer; two Champagne High Society Teas for only £65, (it’s usually £110 for two). Pure decadence. afternoontea.co.uk/hotel-cafe-royal
Tea at Cafe Royal
7. Cocktails at Sketch
This Michelin star hotspot in Mayfair will be serving up its signature afternoon tea treats including finger sandwiches and mini strawberry tarts throughout the week. Yes, they’re divine, but Sketch’s pink dining room alone makes it well worth a visit. To complement the menu, a Hibiscus cocktail made with Ciroc vodka, organic honey, peach puree and hibiscus tea will be free to all guests. afternoontea.co.uk/sketch-gallery
8.Chocolate cake at The Ritz
Got a sweet tooth? The Ritz London will be launching a new chocolate and salted caramel fudge cake during the week. Made with a milk chocolate mousse, cocoa nib crème brûlée, dacquois, sponge, salted caramel and hazelnuts, it’s a chocoholic’s dream. And where better to enjoy it than in the exquisite surroundings of the famous Palm Court? Find out more about the menu at afternoontea.co.uk/the-ritz
9.Chinese tea cocktails at Opium
Lifestyle brand Oblique has teamed up with Opium in Chinatown to offer an exclusive range of cocktails infused with a rich selection of Chinese Teas. Look out for White Peony, made with double strength white peony tea, Herradura Plata tequila, Balthazar Rose vermouth and star anise, and Lapsang Souchong, known for its distinctive smoky flavor. During Afternoon Tea Week, the cocktails (£8 each) will be half-price between 5pm and 8pm. obliquelondon.com
Chinese tea cocktails at Opium