By Emily Gray
Published 18/12/21
We never need a reason for afternoon tea, it has all the makings of a great way to spend the afternoon - namely carbs, carbs and more carbs. But give it a festive twist and you can guarantee we’ll be there feasting on those fresh scones. Here are four for you to try this festive season.
The Lanesborough
The Lanesborough’s afternoon tea in collaboration with Peggy Porschen has been given a festive twist with classic seasonal flavours - don’t worry it’s still in the Peggy Porschen’s beautiful signature pastel hues. We’ll be starting with a rich and smooth Paradis Chocolate Martini made with Hennessy Very Special and a hint of vanilla. Sandwiches include cave-aged Cheddar with beetroot and clementine chutney, Christmas turkey and stuffing, and roast beef and horseradish cream. We can always make space for pastries, which is just as well because there is a Baileys and chocolate cake, cranberry Christmas pavlova, frangipane and mince pie tartlet, peppermint and chocolate chip cupcake and jolly gingerbread cupcake - elasticated waistbands at the ready.
The Goring
The Goring is really rather good at afternoon teas (they have been serving them since they first opened over a century ago) and their festive afternoon tea is a must. Christmas sandwiches are accompanied by fresh scones, and seasonal pastries and cakes including a classic yule log, Snowman Dome and mince pies. Enjoy with The Goring Afternoon Blend - their own blend of Assam and second flush Darjeeling, perfect for scones and clotted cream.
www.thegoring.com
Claridge’s
Served until the 3rd January 2022 which makes it ideal for those hazy days between Christmas and New Year’s Eve, the Claridge’s festive afternoon tea starts as all teas should, with a glass of Laurent-Perrier “La Cuvée” Brut NV”. Champagne quaffed, it’s time to get stuck into sandwiches including Cambridge Bronze turkey, cranberry, pork and chestnut stuffing on malt bread, and Dorrington ham, burnt orange and clove butter on onion bread. Alongside scones with Cornish clotted cream and Mariage Frères “Noël” gelée and treats such as a pineapple and passion fruit Christmas bauble there is the Claridge’s Christmas pudding -stirred by the whole pastry team in a tradition that dates back over 100 years!
Image: Justin De Souza
The Ned
Calling all hotel guests and members at The Ned, you need to try their festive tea in Millie’s. After traditionally filled sandwiches - think cucumber, cream cheese and celery salt, Burford Brown egg mayonnaise and mustard cress, and smoked salmon and dill horseradish cream it’s time for their festive inspired pastries. There’s a white chocolate and redcurrant choux bun, a gingerbread and pear Christmas tree, mince pies, a mango coconut snowflake and scones studded with cranberries and orange.
