Depending on the occasion, your afternoon tea menu can be as sparse as tea and cream scones (a type of afternoon tea menu known as "cream tea") or elaborate enough that it includes multiple types of teas, scones, finger sandwiches and other treats. Either way, these tips for planning your tea party menu are sure to help you find the perfect combination of food and drink for your next afternoon tea.
Tea
With so much of a focus on the foods in afternoon tea, it can be easy to overlook the tea. However, the tea or teas you serve are just as important as the foods, if not more so. I highly recommend selecting from this list of top teas for afternoon tea, as most of them pair very well with a range of foods found on afternoon tea menus. Try to select bold teas for rich or strongly flavored foods or more delicate teas for more subtle foods. Consider including at least one caffeine-free tisane ("herbal tea") or a decaf option, in case some guests are sensitive to caffeine.
Milk, sugar and lemon are optional ingredients that your guests can add to their own tea. Depending on the type or types of tea on your tea party menu, you might want to offer milk, sugar and lemon or only one or two additives. (Although some Americans like to add cream to their tea, this is not traditional in England. Also, adding milk to Earl Grey is not common in England, as the dairy tends to clash with the bergmot flavor in the tea.)
Scones & Scone Toppings
Scones are one of the most popular foods for tea party menus. They can be sweet or savory, and complex or plain. From basic cream scones to savory cheddar herb scones to sweet cinnamon scones, there are scone recipes for any style of tea party. If you're planning a tea party menu for girls, consider serving raspberry scones, which are naturally pink when you mash the raspberries a bit as you stir and knead the dough.
Be sure to pair your scones with appropriate scones toppings and spreads. When in doubt, go with basics like Devonshire cream, clotted cream or lemon curd.
Finger Sandwiches
Finger sandwiches (also known as "tea sandwiches") are often served at full tea, a heavier style of afternoon tea menu. Classic afternoon tea finger sandwiches include egg salad tea sandwiches, cucumber tea sandwiches, smoked salmon finger sandwiches, roast beef finger sandwiches, ham finger sandwiches and chicken salad finger sandwiches. (These types of simple recipes tend to work well for kids' tea parties.)
However, you can venture beyond these more traditional tea sandwiches with other tea sandwich recipes, like watercress tea sandwiches or buttered radish finger sandwiches. Just be sure to keep the intensity of the flavors in your finger sandwiches comparable to the level of flavor in your tea and sweets.
Other Sweets
Other sweets (besides sweet scones) are often served at full tea or light tea. Common types of sweets found on tea party menus include various types of sponge cakes, Madeleines, cupcakes (which are ideal for kids' tea parties) and trifles. Be careful not to have too much overlap in the types of sweets you serve. Ideally, your sweets menu will include a variety of flavors, such as seasonal fruit (or, in the cooler months, preserves), cream, vanilla and/or chocolate.
Other Savories
In addition to finger sandwiches, some tea party menus include other savories, such as savory scones, soups, quiches or lighter savory snacks, like seasoned nuts or cheese and crackers. If you are throwing a themed tea party, careful selection of other savories can help add to your theme.
Other Beverages
For kids' tea party menus, consider serving iced tea, juice or punch. For adult tea parties, you might consider offering champagne or a tea cocktail.
More Tea Party Menu Planning Tips
- Think about color and texture when you plan your tea party menu. Carefully selected colors can relate to a tea party theme, the current season or other concepts, or they can simply be another way to make your tea party menu enjoyable for your guests. Similarly, a variety of textures adds to the enjoyment of the foods you serve.
- Seasonal ingredients can add flavor and color to your tea party menu. Consider using fresh fruit, herbs and edible flowers to enliven your menu. One example of seasonal ingredients as a focus for an afternoon tea menu is strawberry tea, a type of afternoon tea menu that includes fresh strawberries.
- Consider testing each recipe at least once before your tea party. This way, you will know exactly what each food or drink tastes like beforehand and can tweak recipes or change your menu as needed.
- Be sure to have enough food for your entire party. Plan out how much each guest is likely to eat and then make slightly more.
- If you're on a budget, be sure to plan your menu carefully, opting for slightly less expensive options in your recipe selections. For example, raisin scones are far cheaper to make than cherry scones, and egg salad finger sandwiches far less expensive to serve than shrimp salad tea sandwiches.
- If you're short on time, consider buying some items instead of preparing them yourself, and opt for dishes that can be prepared in advance, such as finger sandwiches that won't get soggy or sweets that can be refrigerated until they are ready to be served.
- Read up on how to host a tea party for more tips.
