Afternoon tea is the quintessentially British tradition that never gets old, but it gets even better with a boozy twist. Enter the tipsy tea – an afternoon tea experience combining classic teatime treats with cocktails or bottomless drinks so you can sip, snack, socialise, and completely indulge.
From martini and gin pairings to free-flowing champagne and innovative tea-inspired cocktail creations, these are the best boozy and bottomless afternoon teas worth trying.
The Cadogan Hotel
For a more fine dining champagne afternoon tea, The Cadogan Lounge offers a quintessentially British experience with a French twist courtesy of pastry Chef Benoit Blin.
Champagne is available by the glass – or the bottle – and guests can choose from Billecart or Ruinart to complement this unique experience in the heart of Chelsea.
75 Sloane St, London SW1X 9SG
Lyaness
For an afternoon tea with a cocktail-fuelled twist, head to Lyaness. Their Spirited Tea menu offers a playful take on the traditional afternoon tea, complete with Lyan flair and four carefully curated pairing cocktails. Indulge in classic English treats like smoked salmon sandwiches and freshly baked scones, and satisfy your sweet cravings with caramelised banana and chocolate éclairs and coconut panna cotta.
The accompanying cocktails include the Rosebud, a mix of Bacardi Carta Blanca, Galangal, rose, and bubbles; and the Rock Melon Gimlet with grey goose, melon, cacao and seeded vermouth.
Where: 20 Upper Ground, London SE1 9PD
Website: www.lyaness.com
The Rubens at the Palace
Elevate your traditional tea experience to new heights with bottomless champagne at The Rubens, all within the surroundings of a charming tea room.
Its bottomless offering applies for two hours – more than enough time to truly indulge in our special selection of cakes, pastries, scones, and finger sandwiches.
39 Buckingham Palace Rd, London SW1W 0PS
Lucy Wong
Lucy Wong’s newly launched afternoon tea features a tiered selection of Cantonese savouries and dim sum, a delicate hand-made selection of patisseries, plus 90 minutes of Lucy’s bottomless Asian-inspired spritz cocktails, prosecco or beer.
This includes the Miao Spritz, which pairs Azaline saffron vermouth with St Germain, cherry bitters, soda and prosecco, and the Sansho Spritz, which infuses sansho pepper with Tanqueray gin.
33-34 Rathbone Pl, London W1T 1JN
Trafalgar St. James
Dubbed the “Tipple Tea,” this unique afternoon tea offering combines the art of mixology with culinary expertise from the rooftop.
Enjoy a delicious choice of sandwiches, cake and scones, paired with a glass of bubbles and some wonderfully unique cocktails.
Where: 2 Spring Gardens, St. James’s, London SW1A 2TS
Website: www.trafalgarstjames.com
Home House
Tea for two? Count us in. Served Friday to Sunday, Home House serves afternoon tea in their beautiful Drawing Room.
Choose from the traditional afternoon tea and add on a glass of Moët & Chandon Brut Imperial NV Champagne to add a sparkle to the experience.
where: 20 portman square, w1h 6lw
website: www.homehouse.co.uk
Hithe & Seek
Enjoy a traditional afternoon tea featuring delicate finger sandwiches, scones with clotted cream and preserves, and fresh pastries at Hithe & Seek’s traditional afternoon tea. If you’re looking for an extra special touch, add on a glass of champagne from the bar in partnership with Taittinger.
60 Upper Thames St, London EC4V 3AD
Dukes Hotel
Boozy afternoon tea with oodles of glamour? Look no further than Dukes Hotel. They offer a three-martini afternoon tea featuring miniature versions of the classic cocktails created by their renowned bartender, Alessandro Palazzi.
Don’t worry about getting tipsy too quickly though, you’ll also be served traditional finger sandwiches, freshly baked scones, and sweet treats like caramelised cheesecake with blood orange. Plus, with tea from the East India Company, you’ll be in for a truly indulgent experience.
Where: 35 St James’s Pl, St. James’s, London SW1A 1NY
Website: www.dukeshotel.com
Bbar
Overflowing with prosecco, you can choose from two very different afternoon tea menus at Bbar.
Its traditional tea, featuring Amarula scones and flavoured rooibos tea, or its ‘Chip Shop’ fish and chips tea, marries two British traditions. Sample beer-battered cod and fluffy chips complete with all the trimmings alongside bottomless fizz.
43 Buckingham Palace Rd, London SW1W 0PP
Swan London
Located next to The Globe Theatre, The Swan can always be counted on for a Shakespeare-themed menu. Its new Much Ado About Tea afternoon tea menu launched in May and will be served all summer – celebrating the new Much Ado About Nothing show performing at the theatre.
With cocktails available including a rose negroni, sweet treats such as a vanilla panna cotta with whisky jelly and chocolate soil, and award-winning English sparkling wines – this is the perfect tea for a tipsy afternoon overlooking the River Thames.
Where: 21 New Globe Walk, Bankside, London SE1 9DT
Website: www.swanlondon.co.uk
Fortnum & Mason
Fortnum & Mason at The Royal Exchange serves up one of the most iconic traditional afternoon teas in London, complete with a fabulous selection of fizz.
You’ll enjoy finger sandwiches, including coronation chicken, cucumber with basil and mint, James Bay smoked trout with dill cream, alongside scones served with somerset clotted cream and a selection of cakes.
Take in the venue’s historic courtyard as you sip on a selection of the brand’s own famous champagnes: including Fortnum’s blanc de blancs, brut rose and winter sparkling tea.
4-7 Royal Exchange, London EC3V 3LR
The Milestone
Choose from traditional afternoon tea, champagne afternoon tea, or – for two people – rosé royal afternoon Tea, accompanied by half a bottle of Lanson Le Black Reserve or Lanson Rose Label.
Each of The Milestone Hotel’s teas includes a selection of finger sandwiches, hand-crafted French pastries, tartlets and cakes, and warm, freshly-baked plain and raisin scones.
1-3 Kensington Ct, London W8 5DL
Searcys at The Gherkin
For those looking for a luxurious afternoon tea experience in the sky, Searcys at the Gherkin has 360-degree views of the City of London and an afternoon tea that’s not to be missed.
Indulge in a selection of miniature savoury dishes, including gin-cured salmon with fennel cream and chicken liver parfait on brioche with kumquat marmalade, along with delightful sweet treats, homemade scones and perfectly crafted pastries. To take it up a notch, opt for limitless champagne refills.
Where: The Gherkin, 30 St Mary Axe, London EC3A 8BF
Website: www.searcysatthegherkin.co.uk
The Montague On The Gardens
At the Montague, you’ll have a traditional selection of sweet and savoury treats, including spring pea tartelette, violet cheesecake, cookie dough, and traditional sandwiches with cured English beef and smoked salmon.
Their Afternoon Tea experience comes with a twist – you can enjoy 90 minutes of unlimited Lanson Champagne and food. With a guaranteed table on our outdoor terrace, you can dine overlooking their private Bedford Estate.
Where: 30 Portman Square, London W1H 7BH
Website: www.montaguehotel.com
The Athenaeum
Indulge in a quintessentially British afternoon tea experience with a touch of sparkle at The Athenaeum, featuring a spread of sandwiches, cakes, pastries, and traditional scones with Tiptree strawberry jam and clotted cream.
For just an extra £20, guests can enjoy 90 minutes of free-flowing prosecco alongside your afternoon tea delights.
Where: 116 Piccadilly, London W1J 7BJ
Website: www.athenaeumhotel.com
The Chesterfield
Inspired by a traditional sweetshop, this afternoon tea offering celebrates the joy of rediscovering old favourites and the thrill of finding something new and scrumptious. Savour freshly made finger sandwiches, homemade scones, and a selection of delicious cakes and pastries inspired by the magic of an original sweatshop.
For afternoon tea parties of six or more, The Chesterfield Mayfair will also be offering a complimentary bottle of Champagne.
35 Charles St, London W1J 5EB
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NYX Hotel
Calling all tequila lovers – NYX Hotel has created the world’s first-ever afternoon tea dedicated to tequila (or tequila). Get ready to indulge in a Mexican-inspired feast of savoury treats – think mini veggie burritos, tequila-grilled prawns, chicken tacos, and stuffed baby peppers – while the sweets are even more tempting with a zesty key lime chilli posset, seasonal fruit tarts, and decadent dark chocolate and chilli brownies.
Of course, no afternoon tea would be complete without scones, and NYX has taken them to the next level with a tequila-infused jam that packs a boozy punch. The cherry on top? A margarita made with Volcán tequila blanco that’ll transport you straight to Mexico.
Where: 50 – 60 Southampton Row, London WC1B 4AR
Website: www.nyx-hotels.co.uk
A tequila-fuelled tea that’ll transport you straight to Mexico.
