Imagine hosting a tea party where the focal point of the occasion is actually Tea. The perfect idea for entertaining at home, a Tea Party Bar can be easily set up indoors or outdoors and will really impress your guests.
Invite your Guests
The whole idea of this Tea Party Bar is for guests to help themselves. Invite them to make their own favourite brews and to explore new tea taste sensations. Of course you will be able to offer them your own delicious suggestions. You are really only limited by your imagination. Use your favourite Teacups and Plates.
This Tea Party Bar is a simply beautiful idea for a Baby or Bridal Shower Tea or Kitchen Tea and would make the perfect ending to any Dinner Party.
What to set out on your Tea Party Bar
On a gorgeously decorated table set out any or all of the following:
Assorted Teas
High quality Loose Leaf Teas - Black, Green, Oolong and Flavoured. An assortment of top quality Teabags.
Sugars
Various Sugars or sweeteners including Sugar Cubes, Demerara Sugar, Rock Sugar, White Sugar or even Sugar Swizzle Sticks. Other sweeteners can include Honey, Maple Syrup, Sugar Syrup and Molasses.
Milks
Adding Milk can be as simple as a dash to whiten or why not offer the following to take the tea experience to a whole new level - Sweetened Condensed Milk, Evaporated Milk, Coconut Milk, Whipped Cream or Pouring Cream.
Garnishes
Offer thinly sliced Lemons, Oranges or Limes. Wedges can also be used. Sliced or fanned Strawberries are sweet.
Spices
Use Cinnamon Sticks to add flavour or as actual stirrers for the teas. Fresh Mint Leaves, Cardomom Pods, Cloves, fresh or crystallized Delicious Treats for Afternoon Tea Parties. Ginger slices or whole Star Anise. Also offer ground Cinnamon and Nutmeg.
Luxury Items
To have an indulgent time, have small pieces of Chocolate, Caramels, After-Dinner Mints and even fresh Rose Petals. (These are all for putting into your tea)
Spirits or Liqueurs
A selection of your favourite Spirits or Liqueurs. Present them in crystal or cut-glass Decanters. Delicious examples are Drambuie, Rum, Scotch, Creme de Menthe.
The Teawares
You will need tea cups, saucers and teaspoons. Use your favourite China and don't worry if they're not matching. Sometimes the prettiest effect can be made by using gorgeous Teacup sets found in second hand shops. We love mixing florals and pastels.
Tea Infusers
Provide individual Tea Balls or Infusers so that your guests can make their tea in their own Teacups.
Freshly Boiled Water
This is the other essential ingredient to a great cup. You could set up Urns with the freshly boiled water, but another idea that I like is to provide it in pretty Teapots set up along the table.
The Finishing Touches
This Tea Party Bar idea is open to your own interpretation. It could be a lavish, Formal affair or a more intimate and Casual gathering of friends. Incorporate your favourite things into the Tea Experience.
Use your favourite Linen and Tea Linens, maybe even offer Cloth Napkins. Use Teawares and Tableware & Servingware that define you. Add vases of fresh flowers (I love tea and roses) to your tables or even single stems in interesting glasses. Create a night time Tea Party and add candles or tealights for an added ambiance.
Tea Party Food Ideas
You will probably be offering your guests finger foods to enjoy with their cups of tea. Here are some suggestions to carry on the theme. Set these up on a separate table as Luxurious Extras.
Jams
For freshly baked Scones. Try Rosehip, Rose Petal, Strawberry, Lilac, Lavender, Violet or even Lemon Curd or Lemon Butter.
Creams
Clotted Cream, Whipped, Flavoured with Vanilla or even Chocolate.
Butter
Little pats of Butter in gorgeous shapes, Butter Curls, Whipped or even Flavoured Butters are ideal.
Sandwiches
Tiny sandwiches cut into hearts, circles, anything but boring squares or triangles - use cookie cutters. Fill with the traditional Cucumber slices, Cold Meats, Savoury Spreads and baby Salad Ingredients.
Mini Treats
Make miniature everything. Little servings of delicious treats always look that extra special. Bake any of the following in mini size - muffins, cupcakes,lamingtons with pastel icing, pikelets, petit fours, biscuits, scones, caramel or custard tarts.
Now all you have to do is show your guests a few of your new recipes for a delicious cup of tea, keep the freshly boiled water topped up and the rest will all fall into place. Remember, half the fun of this Tea Party Bar idea is that your guests can help themselves. So sit back, relax and have a fun time drinking tea with your friends.
