Afternoon Tea Reception Menu
Throughout the world’s darkest times in history people have always felt the need to gather together to celebrate life itself. For one to partake in the consumption and presentation of a luxurious table is not to be tone deaf to the suffering and oppression of others. Quite the contrary, it is an affirmation that life can and should thrive.
Afternoon tea, a ritual born to foster friendship, has been a great force in the international political landscape. The suffragette and civil rights movements were funded through tea parties, culminating in the passage of the 19th Amendment granting women the right to vote.
Whether you feel the call to arms to host an afternoon tea reception to raise funds for the causes that you feel are important, have a special occasion to celebrate or just wish to visit with friends and family, here are a few ideas to provide inspiration.
Afternoon Tea Style Luncheon Menu by Ellen Easton In Honor of the 8th Countess of Carnarvon February 20, 2014 at The Colony Club, NYC
Blackberry, Basil Flower, Baby Watercress Salad and Cheese Sticks
Tea Cakes, Petit Fours and Lemon- Lavender Cake
Macaroons, Rose Trifle, Vanilla Lady Finger Batons, Teacup Sugar Cookie
Sugar Roses, Chocolate Pot de Crème, Sugar Almonds
Sweetmeat Tree with Tea Sweets, Sugars and Almonds
How to prepare a T SAC
Place one heaping teaspoon of loose-leaf tea into the T SAC.
Place T SAC with the edge folded over the rim into the preheated teapot. Pour hot water over the T SAC. Place the lid on top. Steep for the recommended time of the blend being prepared. Remove T SAC from the teapot and pour. Place a tea cozy over the teapot to keep the remaining tea warm.
T-Sac Tea Filter Bags, Disposable Tea Infuser
Afternoon Tea Three Tier Stands
Text and Photos ©2022 Ellen Easton
Floral Sugar Art by Reva Paul
Ellen Easton, author of Afternoon Tea~Tips, Terms and Traditions(RED WAGON PRESS), an afternoon tea authority, lifestyle and etiquette industry leader, keynote speaker and product spokesperson, is a hospitality, design, and retail consultant whose clients have included the Waldorf=Astoria, the Plaza and Bergdorf Goodman. Easton’s family traces their tea roots to the early 1800s, when ancestors first introduced tea plants from India and China to the Colony of Ceylon, thus building one of the largest and best cultivated teas estates on the island.
What lovely ideas for tea! Reading it brought back fond memories of teas with family and friends.
Thank you, Marilynn. Happy memories are the best memories.
This sounds marvelous. Your pictures are stunning Ellen. You’ve done it again!
Thank you, Melissa. Your kind support is always a blessing received.
Tea is magical healing civilized sophisticated medicinal pleasureable hot or cold. You can bring out your beautiful china silver and create and delight in beautiful cakes scones sandwhiches … Champane is welcome. Ellen is the expert queen and goddess of tea ! Always delicious proper and kind. 💖🌸
Full disclosure to my dearest school friend, your unwavering cheerleading is beyond appreciated. Thank you- thank you!
This is absolutely the best tea party coverage i’ve ever seen. i’ve done them. they were lovely but this makes mine look deceased! Thank you.
Thank you Camille for your kind compliments. Any tea created with love and enthusiasm is a perfect party. Ellen Easton