With concepts ranging from fresh summer fruits to fashion collaborations, these sets show there is no better time to enjoy a spot of tea than now
The hottest season of the year gives plenty of reason to cool down indoors with afternoon tea, where artistically designed savoury and sweet morsels with refreshing flavours are on show. Here are six tempting summer afternoon teas worth indulging in.
Island Shangri-la
From August 1 to September 30, Island Shangri-la Hong Kong is collaborating with Fresh, the skincare brand, to present a new “Fresh Afternoon Tea Set” with treats inspired by the brand’s four natural ingredients used in the popular mask, including brown sugar, black tea, honey, and rose. Alain Guillet, the hotel’s area pastry chef designs a collection of tea treats such as foie gras terrine with honey and white chocolate mousse presented as the brand’s signature blue box. Aside from the tea set, the hotel is also presenting five new beverages inspired by these natural ingredients, available at the Lobby Lounge during the promotional period. The Fresh Afternoon Tea Set is available at Lobby Lounge, Lobster Bar and Grill and Island Gourmet from 1 August to 30 September and is priced at HK$318 per person and HK$538 for two. The new Fresh-inspired beverages are priced at HK$78 per glass. Guests will receive a complimentary Fresh all-natural mask trial set with purchase of the limited edition afternoon tea set.
Lobster Bar, 6/F, Island Shangri-la, Supreme Court Road, Admiralty; +852 2820 8560
Hotel Icon
Acclaimed pastry chef Jean-Francois Arnaud visited Hong Kong last month, when he helped Hotel Icon’s lobby restaurant Green in designing a brand new summer-themed afternoon tea set, one with tantalising morsels both savoury and sweet. With 40 years of pastry making experience, chef Arnaud joined the hotel’s resident executive pastry chef Danny Ho in creating this new limited edition tea set, showcasing treats such as smoked salmon and fish mousse gateau, chorizo and ratatouille tart, raspberry anise Breton sable, peppermint cake, and freshly baked lemon madeleines. The Scents of Summer Afternoon Tea is served Monday to Thursday from 3:00pm to 5:30pm, priced at HK$218 per person and HK$398 for two. For Friday to Sunday and public holidays, the tea set is priced at HK238 for one and HK$458 for two.
Green, G/F, Hotel Icon, 17 Science Museum Road, Tsim Sha Tsui; +852 3400 1300
Ritz-Carlton Hong Kong
Summer is the best season to celebrate the abundance of fruit harvests, and so Richard Long, executive pastry chef of the Ritz-Carlton Hong Kong, is presenting a crossover between the zingy citrus with the most versatile of berries. The strawberry-citrus afternoon tea showcases a number of savoury items, as well as a list of sweets created by the hotel’s pastry team. Look for delicate morsels such as citrus canelé, vanilla strawberry tart and strawberry sandwich, among others, arranged and presented on the establishment’s signature bookstand display case.
The Strawberry and Citrus Afternoon Tea is available every day from 3:30pm to 5:30pm at Café 103. The tea set is priced at HK$378 per person and HK$608 for two from Monday to Friday, and HK$398 for one and HK$628 for two on Saturday, Sunday, and public holidays.
See more strawberry desserts in Hong Kong here
Café 103, 103/F, Ritz-Carlton Hong Kong, ICC, 1 Austin Road West, Kowloon; +852 2263 2270
Inagiku
Luxury perfumer Diptyque is presenting a Japanese crossover with Inagiku this summer, delighting guests with its signature aromas. The tea begins with savoury selections such as sushi and dishes such as sweet potato tofu with sea urchin and lotus root cake, followed by sweet morsels such as cherry cake and ice cream sandwich, served in the iconic sea view restaurant scented with the brand’s signature candles. Guests will also receive a complimentary Diptyque Do Son fragrance gift pack with purchase of the limited edition afternoon tea set, available on weekends and public holidays from July 9 to August 7. The tea set is priced at HK$498 for two.
Inagiku, 4/F Four Seasons Hong Kong, 8 Finance Street, Central; +852 2805 0600
Seasons
Colours and prints are not only a winning combo in fashion, but also in afternoon tea. Contemporary French establishment Seasons is celebrating iconic French fashion style with its collaboration with fashion house Roger Vivier. The summer crossover, titled SummerViv, takes savory and sweet treats and turns them into stylish bites, garnished with three-dimensional floral patterns and the fashion brand’s signature buckle, all arranged and displayed in the restaurant’s signature wooden wine box. The SummerViv afternoon tea is served daily from 3:00pm to 5:30pm from July 15 to August 31. It is priced at HK$248 per person and HK$468 for two.
Seasons, Shop 308, 3/F, Lee Garden Two, 28 Yun Ping Road, Causeway Bay; +852 2673 3234
The Cordis
How about an indoor picnic this summer? Alibi of The Cordis is presenting a new luxurious Picnic-inspired afternoon tea created by the hotel’s culinary director, Paul McLoughlin. Presented in a traditional wicker hamper, guests can indulge in a rich array of savoury treats such as pulled pork sausage rolls, foie gras pate with bourbon bacon jam and smoked salmon brioche topped with sour cream and caviar. The tea set also includes a number of sweets such as miniature custard tarts, strawberry rosehip jelly, and assorted macarons, among many.
The luxury picnic afternoon tea set is available at Alibi daily from 3:00pm to 5:30pm, with a limited number of 10 sets a day. The tea set is priced at HK$428 for two, with an additional HK$388 for a bottle of Perrier-Jouet Champagne.
Alibi, 5/F The Cordis, 555 Shanghai Street, Mongkok; +852 3552 3028