Tea for a Tea Party
Hosting a tea party? This simple guide to brewing classic black tea is just what you need for a cozy, elegant gathering. Learn how to brew the perfect pot of tea and serve it with the little touches that make tea time feel oh so special.
My favorite "souvenir" after our family trip to London was bringing home the tradition of afternoon tea.
We splurged on an authentic afternoon tea in London, and it is one of my core memories from the trip.
It took some trial and error and plenty of research on my favorite tea shops' websites for me to finally learn how to brew the perfect cup of tea for myself.
But serving tea to friends? That involves a whole other level of tips! You don't want to have to brew just one cup at a time, that's what those lovely tea pots are for!
So whether you're hosting an impromptu tea party with little ones just for fun or you actually want to host a tea party for a book club party, baby or wedding shower, or just an afternoon gathering with your friends, learn how to serve large pots of tea to your loved ones.
Why This is the Best Recipe
- Classic Method and Etiquette: Learn how to brew tea just like they do in England.
- Perfect for Entertaining: Don't brew just one cup at a time, learn how to properly use a fancy tea pot!
- Quick and Easy: Once you learn the basics, you'll be able to brew up pots of tea at a moment's notice.
Want to Save This for Later?
We'll email this post to you, so you can come back to it later!
Tools You Need
Tea Kettle
An electric tea kettle is one of the best investments if you enjoy hot water-based beverages. I feel they are easier to use, easier to clean, and easier to store than traditional stove-top tea kettles.
The electric tea kettles also produce the perfect temperature of boiling water for tea. We use ours for mixing up hot cocoa and apple cider drink packets, too.
Tea Pot
While the tea kettle is where you'll boil the water, the tea pot is where you'll brew the actual tea.
I stalked my Royal Albert teapot set for ages and finally snapped it up when it went on sale. That pretty pink floral just makes my heart happy.
The nicest part is that the lid has a little lip that prevents it from flying off the teapot when you pour out the tea. Definitely a feature worth looking for when you're shopping for your own model.
Tea Strainer
If you plan to brew loose leaf tea (my personal recommendation), you will need a tea strainer. This model has a screw-on lid and a fine-grate mesh that keeps all the tea debris out of the water.
I love that it has a little hook for hanging off the edge of the tea pot. It has room for at least 8 teaspoons of tea leaves at one time.
Tea Cups
A tea party just wouldn't be the same without fancy tea cups and saucers. I love a good mug for my coffee and hot cocoa, but tea just simply tastes better out of a tea cup!
Cream Pitcher and Sugar Bowl
You can buy matching sets of creamers and sugar bowls or have fun mixing and matching patterns for a shabby chic tea party vibe. Mine came as a set with the tea pot.
Tea Spoons
For stirring in milk and sugar, tiny tea spoons are essential. I found these adorable gold leafy vine spoons that match the gilded edges of my tea cups.
Choose Your Tea
If you think you don't like tea, the chances are you just haven't discovered the right one yet. Tea comes in so many flavors and, just like wine, is meant to be paired with certain foods.
After lots of trial and error, my two top favorites right now are Earl Grey and English Breakfast. I also have a tin of Whittard's Covent Garden blend that I brought home from our trip.
I prefer making tea with loose leaf tea over tea packets because I can control how much tea to use for brewing each cup.
I also think that it is a more elegant experience to fill a tea strainer with 8 teaspoons of loose tea rather than adding 8 tea bags to a tea pot.
You won't need to worry about a saturated tea bag clogging the pouring spot either.
How to Measure Loose Leaf Tea
My general rule of thumb is to add 1 teaspoon of loose leaf tea per 6 ounces of water.
For a tea party, I plan to brew two cups of tea per person.
If your guests want more tea than that, just plan to brew another pot. It takes so little time and it is better fresh.
Brewing Tea for a Party
Start by filling your tea kettle with water. Ideally you'd use filtered water to help prevent scale build up inside the kettle.
If you have an electric kettle, just flip the switch on. It will boil your water to the perfect temperature.
While the water is coming to a boil, prepare your tea pot and tea.
I always fill my tea pot with warm running water from the tap and let it sit next to the sink until I'm ready to brew. This warms up the china pot and helps prevent it from cracking when the hot boiling water is poured inside.
Measure your tea into the tea strainer and screw on the lid.
When the water is ready, pour out the tea pot and pat the outside dry.
Place the tea strainer inside, making sure to clip the chain to the edge.
Pour the boiling water directly over the tea strainer so that the water hits the tea leaves. This helps to really activate the brewing.
Place the lid on the tea pot to keep things warm and let the tea brew for 3 - 5 minutes depending on how strong you prefer your tea.
Then remove the tea strainer to prevent it from getting even stronger as it seeps.
Tips for Pouring Tea
When you're ready to serve the tea, be sure to have your creamer filled with milk (or cream if you prefer) and your sugar bowl topped up.
I think sugar cubes are the perfect way to offer sugar for a tea party. One lump or two?? I keep this box of sugar cubes in my pantry at all times.
Some people prefer fresh lemon slices, present them in a pretty dish.
You could also offer honey in a pretty little honey pot if you prefer that over regular sugar.
Black Tea
If your guest wants plain black tea, simply pour the tea into the tea cup.
Fill it just 3/4 the way full so they have room to add sugar if they change their mind. This also lets them enjoy a nice hot cup and refill with the still-hot tea left in the pot.
Milky Tea
If your guest wants a milky tea, pour the milk into the tea cup before you add the tea.
This lets the milk cool the tea rather than the tea warming the milk. Fill the tea cup 3/4 full so your guest can adjust as needed.
More Serving Suggestions
Tea tastes much better when paired with a simple tea time treat like shortbread cookies, crispy Italian biscotti or a buttery scone.
I love my tea black and let the pastries add the sweetness and creamy flavor!
For the full tea party experience, get yourself a tiered tea tray and load it up with finger sandwiches, scones, and tea time desserts.
You can get all my best tea party recipes here!
📖 Recipe
Tea for a Tea Party
Ingredients
Per Guest:
- 2 teaspoons loose leaf tea or 2 tea bags, like Earl Grey, English Breakfast, etc.
- 12 ounces water
For Serving:
- Milk
- Sugar Cubes
Instructions Start Cooking
- Pour the water into the tea kettle and bring it to a boil. As soon as it is bubbling, remove it from the heat so it doesn't over boil and lose oxygen which can affect the taste of the final tea.
- While the water is coming to a boil, warm your tea pot. I fill mine with warm water and let it sit and warm through. Also, measure your tea and place it in the tea strainer.
- Pour the water out of the tea pot, place the tea strainer filled with tea inside, and fill the tea pot with the freshly boiled kettle water. Place the tea pot lid on top to keep things warm while the tea brews.
- Let the tea brew for 3 - 5 minutes before pouring.
- If your guests desire milk and sugar with their tea, pour the milk into the tea cup first. Then pour the hot brewed tea in. This allows the milk to cool the tea. Then sugar to taste and enjoy.
HELPFUL TOOLS
Save This Recipe to Your Recipe Box
Find this delicious recipe next time you visit by saving it to your very own recipe box on my site. All your favorites stored in one easy place!
Comments
No Comments