"There are few hours in life more agreeable than the hour
dedicated to the ceremony known as afternoon tea."
Henry James
AFTERNOON TEA
MENU
SERVED BETWEEN 3.00pm – 5.00pm
Afternoon tea, the most quintessential of English customs is,
perhaps surprisingly, a relatively new tradition. Whilst the
custom of drinking tea dates back to the third millennium BC in
China and was popularised in England during the 1660s by
King Charles II and his wife the Portuguese Infanta Catherine
de Braganza, it was not until the mid-17th century that the
concept of ‘afternoon tea’ first appeared.
Afternoon tea was introduced in England by Anna, the seventh
Duchess of Bedford, in the year 1840. The Duchess would
become hungry around four o'clock in the afternoon. The
evening meal in her household was served fashionably late at
eight o'clock, thus leaving a long period of time between lunch
and dinner. The Duchess asked that a tray of tea, bread and
butter (some time earlier, the Earl of Sandwich had had the idea
of putting a filling between two slices of bread) and cake be
brought to her room during the late afternoon. This became a
habit of hers and she began inviting friends to join her.
This pause for tea became a fashionable social event during
the 1880's upper-class and society women would change into
long gowns, gloves and hats for their afternoon tea.
We here at Oakley Hall Hotel are delighted to be able to offer
you the chance to enjoy an afternoon tea with us.
All our cakes and scones are hand made by our pastry chef,
we also work closely with a selected tea importer to bring you
the best tea we possibly can.
We hope you have a delightful afternoon as the winds of
tradition washes over you.
Traditional Afternoon Tea
The classical afternoon tea
A selection of finger sandwiches
Freshly baked fruit and plain scones
Clotted cream, strawberry and raspberry jam
Homemade cakes
All with your choice of tea or coffee
Vegetarian Afternoon Tea
A Vegetarian take on the classic Afternoon Tea
Vegetarian sandwiches:
Cream Cheese, Chive & Rocket
Egg Mayonnaise and Cress
Brie & Cranberry
Roasted Vegetable & Hummus
Freshly baked fruit and plain scones
Clotted cream, strawberry and raspberry jam
Homemade cakes
All with your choice of tea or coffee
Gluten Free Afternoon Tea
A Gluten free classic afternoon tea
A selection of open sandwiches made on gluten free ciabatta bread
Freshly baked gluten free scones
Clotted cream, strawberry and raspberry jam
Gluten free cakes
All with your choice of tea or coffee
Dairy Free Afternoon Tea
A Dairy free classic afternoon tea
A selection of dairy free sandwiches
Freshly baked dairy free scones
Strawberry and raspberry jam
Dairy free cakes
All with your choice of tea or coffee
All of the above Afternoon Teas are priced at £24.95pp
If extra sandwiches are required they are available at £4.95 per
person
Champagne Afternoon Tea
£34.95pp
A luxurious twist on your favourite indulgence
One glass of Champagne or Pink Sparkling
A selection of finger sandwiches
Freshly baked fruit and plain scones
Clotted Cream, strawberry and raspberry jam
Homemade cakes
All with your choice of tea or coffee
All our dairy, gluten and vegetarian options are available with a glass
of bubbles.
Children’s Afternoon Tea
£12.95pp
An Afternoon Tea for our smaller guests
A selection of finger sandwiches:
Ham
Cheese
Jam
Freshly baked fruit and plain scones
Clotted Cream, strawberry and raspberry jam
Mini cakes and cookies
All with your choice of tea, coffee or soft drink
Please be aware that if you haven’t pre-ordered the
Vegetarian, Gluten Free, Dairy Free or Children’s Afternoon
Teas there will be a wait of approximately 25-30 minutes.
All of our food is prepared at the time of ordering and to the highest possible standard, it
is however prepared in a kitchen where gluten, nuts and dairy is present.
For a complete allergen chart please ask a member of our staff.
Our teas are supplied to us by Char Teas in Winchester 18 miles
away from the hotel. They work closely with small independent
plantations, and only import the finest of quality teas. Please savour
the pleasure of the journey of tea and share in our passion for
discovery and delight.
SENCHA SAKURA
Sencha sakura is one of Japan's most popular teas. Sakura is the
Japanese for 'cherry blossom', and sencha is Japanese for 'steamed
tea'. Just the right amount of cherry and rose petals have been added
to give this tea a sublime complexity of sweetness and astringency.
LAPSANG SOUCHONG
The name of this tea has been anglicised from the Chinese Zheng
Shan Xiao Zong, which means 'Zheng mountains small tea variety'.
Our Lapsang Souchong comes from Formosa and is made from
larger, more mature leaves that have been withered, dried and then
smoked. Once considered to be a 'man's tea', this is for those who like
a strong, bold flavour. Low in caffeine, it is traditionally loved by
outdoor enthusiasts and often drunk after long walks, cycling or other
outdoor activities.
ASSAM PANITOLA
This FTGFOP1, (finest tippy golden flowery orange pekoe grade 1)
Assam has an unusual pine-needle shaped leaf and lots of tips. The
infusion is medium dark, and the taste is soft and medium-strong with
a slightly malty aftertaste. An excellent Assam tea.
Assam's characteristic full-bodied malty flavor makes it an excellent
breakfast tea you can enjoy with or without milk.
DARJEELING SUPREME
Grown in the foothills of the Himalayas, Darjeeling 1st flush is known
as the champagne of teas. This 1st flush Darjeeling is picked towards
the end of the 1st flush season. The tea produces an infusion with an
enticing amber color.
A first-flush TGFOP1 Darjeeling, is a little stronger in body and color
than the later picking. It is fresh and fruity but a little more astringent
than the second-flush Darjeeling teas. Its balanced taste is perfect for
afternoon tea.
TEMPLE OF HEAVEN GUNPOWDER GREEN
Gunpowder tea is so called because the pellets resemble the
gunpowder used by British warships in the 19th century. It is rolled in
drums, and the constant rotation gives the tea its spherical form.
Temple of Heaven tea, also known as zuccha or pearl tea, is much
finer than most other gunpowder teas, and has a softer aroma and a
less bitter taste. It is also very tightly rolled - a sign of quality. If you
find the brew too tangy for your taste, throw away the first infusion and
enjoy the second.
IMPERIAL JASMINE PEARLS
We are proud to introduce a very high grade of Jasmine Pearls (Mo Li
Long Zhu) from the Fujian Province of China. The difference between
an ordinary grade of Jasmine Pearl and this Imperial Grade of Jasmine
tea is the content of single leaf and bud. This is shown by the amount
of fluff on the inside of the pouch. Also two additional jasmine layers
were used to perfume this delicious tea. As a result the pearls have a
stronger jasmine scent and a superior, more refined taste.
EARL GREY SUPREME
The original Earl Grey tea consisted of pure China tea lightly flavored
with fine bergamot oil. The bergamot flavoring was intended to protect
the tea from the taste of mold and tar, which could arise from the long
sea journey to England. Our Earl Grey Supreme now sets the standard
for Earl Grey. It is made from a base of superb quality Ceylon tea,
expertly perfumed with the finest bergamot oil and decorated with
cornflower petals. It is full bodied, rich in flavor and with a striking
appearance.
WINCHESTER BREAKFAST EXTRA STRONG
Drinking a blend of black teas for breakfast is indeed a longstanding
British custom. The practice of referring to such a blend as "English
breakfast tea" appears to have originated not in England but America,
as far back as Colonial times. An additional account (referencing a
period-era Journal of Commerce article) dates the blend to 1843 and
a tea merchant named Richard Davies in New York City. Davies, an
English immigrant, started with a base of Congou and added a bit of
Pekoe and Pouchong. It sold for 50 cents a pound, and its success
led to imitators, helping to popularize the name.
APPLE & GINGER
A highlight for ginger lovers. A large quantity of apple pieces combined
with ginger bits and a delicious ginger flavour, offer a sparkling and
aromatic drink while the rose hip peel adds a slightly fruity note.
PEPPERMINT
Peppermint was discovered towards the end of the 17th century on an
English mint field. Peppermint tea have been used for thousands of
years to sort out a variety of digestive and gastrointestinal conditions.
It is also popular for its relaxing properties, aids in weight loss and
boosts the immune system.
ORGANIC ROOIBOS
Rooibos tea is made from de dried fermented leaves of the South
African shrub Aspalathus linearis. Health benefits of rooibos tea
include its use as a cure for nagging headaches, insomnia, asthma,
eczema, bone weakness, hypertension, allergies, and premature
aging. The tea is absolutely free from caffeine content and is also low
in tannins.
WINCHESTER FRUIT BASKET
Do you remember Grandma’s garden? All those lovely fruits and the
gorgeous flavours. This lovely fruit basket include: hibiscus, rosehip,
apple pieces, orange peel, raspberry granulate and black current
leaves.
RASPBERRY LEAF
It is somewhat well known for its benefits during pregnancy, but it is
incredibly high in vitamin and nutrient content and beneficial to both
men and women at all stages of life. High in valuable vitamins such
as vitamin A, B, C, and E, this herbal tea can give you an added boost
of health which can help strengthen the immune system and overall
health.
If you do not drink tea, we can prepare the following:
Filter Coffee
Americano
Cappuccino
Cafe Late
Single/Double Espresso
Cafe Mocha
Babychino
Hot Chocolate
Afternoon Tea Cocktails
Sparkling Green Tea Cocktail
£ 15.50
Chilled Green tea, Gin, Agave nectar, Champagne
Anne Marie Tea Blossom
£ 12.50
Gin, Elderflower, Lemon Juice, Lavender
Long Drinks
Mojito
£12.50
Bacardi Rum, Lime, Mint, Demerara Sugar
Long Island Ice Tea
£15.50
Bombay Sapphire Gin, Absolute Vodka, Bacardi Rum,
Patron Reposado Tequila, Cointreau, Lemon Juice, Coca Cola
Tom Collins
£11.50
Bombay Sapphire Gin, Lemon Juice, Sugar Syrup, Soda Water
Short Drinks
Sunrise
£11.50
Malibu, Chambord, Jägermeister, Midori, Pineapple Juice
Caipirinha
£11.50
Cachaça, Lime, Brown Sugar
Raspberry Daiquiri
£12.00
Bacardi Rum, Raspberry Compote, Lime Juice, Sugar Syrup
Cosmopolitan
£12.50
Grey Goose Vodka, Cointreau, Cranberry Juice, Lime
Champagne
Champagne Cocktail
£15.50
Champagne, Cognac, Grand Marnier,
Angostura Bitters, Demerara Sugar
French 75
Champagne, Gin, Lemon Juice
£15.50