"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 a wonderful afternoon tea with us. All our cakes and scones are hand made by our pastry chef and we also work closely with a prime tea importer to bring you the best available tea. We hope you will have a delightful afternoon as the winds of tradition washes over you.
Selection of Artisan Sandwiches: - Smoked Salmon & Cream Cheese on a Charcoal Bun - Egg Mayonnaise & Cress Brioche - Smoked Chicken & Basil Pretzel Roll - Ham, Mustard & Rocket Malted Wheat Sandwich Freshly Baked Home Made Miniature Plain & Fruit Scones Clotted Cream, Strawberry Jam & Homemade Lemon Curd Selection of Homemade Cakes All with your choice of tea/coffee or soft drink Selection of Artisan Sandwiches: - Cream Cheese & Rocket on a Charcoal Bun - Egg Mayonnaise & Cress Tortilla Wrap - Roasted Vegetable & Hummus Pretzel Roll - Cranberry & Brie Malted Wheat Sandwich Freshly Baked Home Made Miniature Plain & Fruit Scones Clotted Cream, Strawberry Jam & Homemade Lemon Curd Selection of Homemade Cakes All with your choice of tea/coffee or soft drink Oakley Hall s Team of Pastry Chefs can provide Afternoon Tea for Guests with Dietary needs, but please be aware if you haven t pre ordered a vegetarian, gluten, dairy free or Children s Afternoon Tea there will be a wait of approximately 30 minutes. All of the above Afternoon Teas are priced at 24.95pp If extra sandwiches are required they are available at 4.95 per person
34.95pp A luxurious twist on your favourite indulgence One glass of Champagne or Pink Sparkling Selection of Artisan Sandwiches: - Smoked Salmon & Cream Cheese on a Charcoal Bun - Egg Mayonnaise & Cress Tortilla Wrap - Smoked Chicken & Basil Pretzel Roll - Ham, Mustard & Rocket Malted Wheat Sandwich Freshly Baked Home Made Miniature Plain & Fruit Scones Clotted Cream, Strawberry Jam & Homemade Lemon Curd Selection of Homemade Cakes All with your choice of tea/coffee or soft drink 12.95pp An Afternoon Tea for our smaller guests A selection of finger sandwiches: - Ham, Cheese & Jam Freshly Baked Home Made Minature Plain & Fruit Scones Clotted Cream, Strawberry Jam & Homemade Lemon Curd Selection of Homemade Cakes All with your choice of tea, coffee or soft drink Oakley Hall s Team of Pastry Chefs can provide Afternoon Tea for Guests with Dietary needs, but please be aware if you haven t pre ordered a vegetarian, gluten, dairy free or Children s Afternoon Tea there will be a wait of approximately 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 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. LAPSANG SOUCHONG 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. Infusion Time: 2 minutes CHAR ASSAM SUPREME A full rich and malty ASSAM TGFOP1 (finest tippy golden flowery orange pekoe grade 1). Infusion Time: 3 minutes. DARJEELING SUPREME Known as the champagne of teas and grown in the foothills of the Himalayas, this 1 st pick of the year (Known as 1 st flush) Darjeeling tea produces and infusion with an enticing amber color. The taste is fresh and slightly spicy. Infusion Time: 1 minute WINCHESTER BREAKFAST EXTRASTRONG A blend of rich malty tasting Assam and high grown Ceylon tea delivering strength combined with taste. Your best English breakfast experience yet. Infusion Time: 3-4 minutes EARL GREY SUPREME Top quality Ceylon tea well perfumed with the finest natural bergamot oil and decorated with corn flowers petals. Perfect with or without milk. Infusion Time: 3 minutes
(CAFFEINE FREE) CHAR ASSAM DECAFFEINATED An exceptionally high quality decaffeinated Assam tea. As a result of the care taken during the decaffeination procedure, you can still appreciate the dark brown leaf with golden tips. The brew is strong and malty with a hint of a chocolaty aroma. You can enjoy it with or without milk. Infusion Time: 2-3 minutes GREEN CURVE An elegant, softly tart green tea with a sweet touch. It comes from the Wu Lu Mountain in the Jiangxi region of China where the conditions are misty, humid and perfect for tea cultivation. Infusion Time: 1-2 minutes TEMPLE OF HEAVEN GUNPOWDER Gunpowder tea is so called because the pellets resemble the gunpowder used by British warships in the 19th century. Temple of Heaven tea is much finer than most other gunpowder teas, and has a softer aroma and a less bitter taste. Infusion Time: 2 minutes FINE CHINA JASMINE The fragrant leaves are harvested and processed thoroughly. They are then sieved to give the tea a more distinct taste. The cup has a light slightly yellow colour, spreading a glorious bouquet of jasmine. Ingredients: half fermented tea and jasmine blossoms. Infusion Time: 1-3 minutes TURKISH APPLE Sweet apple pieces and pineapple form its basis, and the sweet and firm character of the apple has been enhanced with vitamin C. Ingredients: apple pieces, pineapple cubes (pineapple sugar), vitamin C, flavouring, freeze-dried apple pieces. Infusion Time: 10-12 minutes
(CAFFEINE FREE) WINCHESTER FRUIT BASKET A selection of delicious garden fruits and berries. A combination of hibiscus blossoms, rose hip peel, apple pieces, elderberries, whole blackberries, strawberries and raspberries. Infusion Time: 5-10 minutes (CAFFEINE FREE) AFTERNOON CALM This is a 'no caffeine' blend of harmonizing herbs that will help you to relax. Afternoon Calm is a wonderful way to relax and enjoy the soothing taste of peppermint and other lovely tasting herbs. Ingredients: chamomile, nettle, lemon balm (cut), peppermint (cut). Infusion Time: 3-5 minutes (CAFFEINE FREE) PEPPERMINT (HERBAL INFUSION) Peppermint is and English herb. Char has selected only the finest leaves for this premium quality peppermint. Excellent as an aid to digestion and known for its calming qualities. Infusion Time: 3-5 minutes (CAFFEINE FREE) ROOIBOS ORANGE & EUCALIPTUS The Freshness of eucalyptus with the sweetness of peach and orange. A gorgeous Rooibos like nothing you ve tasted before. Not suitable for milk. Infusion Time: 8-10 minutes FORMOSA OOLONG Oolong teas have always been taken seriously by those who are serious about tea. They are partially or semi-oxidized teas. Depending on the production methods used, oolong teas fall into two categories - dark open leafed or greener balled. Both offer a beautiful fresh and complex tea drinking experience. Infusion Time: 2-3 minutes
If you do not drink tea, we can prepare the following: Filter Coffee Cappuccino Single/Double Espresso Babychino Americano Cafe Late Cafe Mocha Hot Chocolate 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 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 Peach Mocktail (Non Alcoholic) 7.00 Peach Juice, Appletizer, Grenadine Champagne Cocktail 15.50 Champagne, Cognac, Grand Marnier, Angostura Bitters, Demerara Sugar French 75 15.50 Champagne, Gin, Lemon Juice