Afternoon Tea In True Claridge's Style
Bag (0)
My Account
Shopping Bag

Your shopping bag is empty.

Afternoon Tea In True Claridge's Style

Though much has changed in London over the last 120 years, at least one custom endures: at 2.45pm sharp each day, Afternoon Tea service begins in The Foyer & Reading Room at Claridge’s. A fixture throughout the Jazz Age, in times of war and for royal visits, today this refined ritual perfectly captures Claridge’s now and then. Just like the teas served, it is steeped in tradition. In the same way as the picture-perfect pastries, it is artfully crafted. From secret recipes to porcelain tea ware, we look at how to recreate the whole experience at home.

Delicious By Design

The centrepiece of Afternoon Tea at Claridge’s is bone china tableware, cast in the hotel’s hallmark striped jade and finished with delicate gilding. Here, style meets substance, with each element of the collection designed to preserve the individual flavour and infusion temperature of the tea. We turned to Limoges porcelain masters, Bernardaud, who have been creating exquisite china pieces for as long as Claridge’s has been serving Afternoon Tea. With their blend of heritage craftsmanship and contemporary flair, it’s matchmade for the hotel – with two- and four-piece editions for recreating the Afternoon Tea experience at home.

A Tale Of Tails

Meltingly light yet rich and buttery, Claridge’s shortbread is a teatime tradition. It’s said that the round, fluted shape is the signature of Elizabethan bakers, made to reflect Tudor petticoat designs. Today, the keepsake jade tin brings a dash of Claridge’s to the table.  

Tradition Preserved

The secret ingredient to Claridge’s jam, and the reason it’s the ideal accompaniment to scones, is the addition of Jasmin silver tip tea – introducing sweetly aromatic notes.

From Beginning To Blend

Custom created for the hotel, and mixed afresh each season, Claridge’s Blend Tea is an enduring feature of the menu in The Foyer & Reading Room. This loose-leaf edition carries echoes of Fujian mountains and the Malawi highlands, bringing global flavours to this British institution.

“To mirror the Claridge’s experience, serve each course with a perfectly paired loose leaf tea: white tea with sandwiches, black with scones and green to accompany the pastries. 

Short And Sweet

Perfect for cocoa connoisseurs, the dark chocolate versions of the classic shortbread recipe are particularly well-matched to your guests who prefer coffee over the traditional tea. 

Service, Please

With a chapter dedicated to Afternoon Tea and other sweet treats, Claridge’s: The Cookbook is the definitive guide for aspiring chefs. Alongside secret recipes, it goes beyond the pass to tell the stories of much-loved dishes, with tips for entertaining in true Claridge’s style.

 

Back to top