A wonderful English Afternoon Tea menu. Complete afternoon tea recipes such as Devonshire scones, tea sandwiches and tea cocktails.
Years ago my sister came to visit me in the UK. At the time she what for the company that owned the Savoy, and she treated me to afternoon tea. Quite frankly if you are a tourist in London it is pretty well a right of passage that you need to experience afternoon tea. For sure your high-end hotels like the Savoy offer a great experience. But you can even get an afternoon tea at many restaurants and even gardening centres.
There are the classic Devonshire scones, with clotted cream and jam, but also some easy to make fruit tartlets that will make you look like a pastry whiz but took you mere minutes. For sandwiches, there are some classics, but with a few changes to make them stand out (as a plain cucumber sandwich is, well, plain). Finally, we have the all-important tea. Except, this is a Royal Tea, complete with gin and ice. This is a modern afternoon tea.
What I remember most was not the food but the whole experience. Having looked at many hotels offerings for afternoon tea, its quite evident many of them have chosen to up their game significantly.
But this English afternoon tea menu is inspired by another event: the upcoming Downton Abbey movie. My husband was the person who initially got me watching Downton Abbey, and I’d be lying to say I’m not looking forward to the movie. This English Afternoon Tea has been designed to be both a bit traditional, but add some modern twists.
Normally, you need to visit the Total Feasts Library to get access to the full Feasts PDF. However, I really think it is important for people to slow down and enjoy food together. Afternoon tea is one of those events where you must slow down and talk. So put your phones away, gather your family and friends, and enjoy this afternoon tea menu. You can click the cover below and get a copy!
Just a friendly little note here, this feast is available as a PDF download, including a unified shopping list and set of instructions to make your life a bit easier! To get our other feasts, you just need to visit the Total Feasts Library and you can get your password here!
INGREDIENTS AND TOOLS
To make this feast you will need a few ‘key’ tools:
Don’t forget, you can read all about setting up your kitchen here, so you are all set to cook up a feast!
Essentials
- Large pot
- Baking sheet
- Kitchen scale
- Sharp knife
- Measuring spoons
- Cutting board
- Mixing bowls
- Wire racks
The ‘Extra Bits’
- Serving platter
- Drink pitcher
- Round cookie cutte
Useful tips during preparation
The quality of your food is really important, and where possible you always want the food to be of higher welfare. Preferably organic and free-range. I love visiting farmers markets, but not everyone has these around. So here are some easy suggestions to get you eating more healthily:
If you’re in the USA Butcher Box is a great source of Free-Range Organic Chicken. If you click the link and use the code AP10 to save $10 off your first order!
In the UK, Riverford is a great source for both organic fruit and veg as well as higher welfare meats.
much love
-Matt
English Afternoon Tea menu
A wonderful English Afternoon Tea menu. Complete afternoon tea recipes such as Devonshire scones, tea sandwiches and tea cocktails.
Strawberry Redcurrant Jam
Awesome fresh strawberry jam, perfect on toast and scones with clotted cream.
Royal Tea Cocktail
A twist on the classic British tea, the Royal Tea Cocktail combines fresh tea with gin.
That English tea menu looks like a banquet menu to me LOL..
Haha!
Whenever Lynne and I visit London we always like to find somewhere to enjoy afternoon tea. When we went to Cornwall a couple of years ago I couldn’t get enough of their scones, jam and cream. If I lived there I’d be the size of a house. Ha ha!
Haha, I know what you mean!
Afternoon tea is such a uniquely English tradition. I love it! I wish we had that kind of tradition here in the States. Perhaps I’ll just grab your guide and start the tradition! I love everything about this one, Matt!
Thanks David!
Such a fun post! Not that I do it very often, but occasionally I’ll have tea in a ‘fancy’ cup and I think it makes all the difference. It somehow makes the tea tastier, ya know? Probably just in my mind, but still. Now I’m wishing that I had afternoon tea right about now with a nice sandwich or treat!
You know, I think everyone needs a ‘fancy’ cup for their tea!
I love the idea of an afternoon tea, and have always wanted to host one! My husband and I actually visited London a few years ago. We were there for 9 days and did so many things, but not an afternoon tea. Maybe next time!
A great reason to return, plus with Brexit going so well (cough, cough) that the exchange rate will be much more favorable!
We love a good afternoon tea! These all look scrumptious!