Tea Blog

With the heat of summer settling in, many tea lovers begin shifting their attention from steaming teacups to refreshing cold tea beverages. Fortunately, tea parties work beautifully with both hot and iced teas. Imagine gathering with close friends on a sunny afternoon, enjoying a gentle summer breeze, a glass of sweet tea, and plenty of good conversation—accompanied, of course, by elegant finger sandwiches and chocolate-covered strawberries.

Summer Tea Party Shopping List

• 2 loaves soft white bread
• ½ pound sliced ham
• ½ pound sliced turkey
• 7-ounce bag arugula
• 2–3 tomatoes, thinly sliced
• 4 ounces mascarpone cheese
• 4 ounces cream cheese
• 3 ounces goat cheese
• 1 bottle balsamic glaze
• 1 jar honey
• 1 can tart cherries (or substitute cranberries)
• 16 ounces strawberries
• 6 ounces bittersweet chocolate (50–70% cocoa)
• 1 can sweetened condensed milk

Tea Party Sandwich Spreads

Honey Mascarpone Spread

Combine:

• 4 ounces mascarpone cheese
• 2 tablespoons honey

Balsamic Goat Cheese Spread

Combine:

• 3 ounces goat cheese
• 4 teaspoons balsamic glaze

Cherry Cream Cheese Spread

Combine in a food processor or mixer:

• 4 ounces cream cheese
• ¼ cup tart cherries

Tea Sandwich Recipes

Ham and Honey Mascarpone Tea Sandwiches

Spread the honey mascarpone mixture thinly on two slices of bread. Add several slices of ham and assemble the sandwich. Remove the crusts and cut into thirds for traditional tea-party presentation.

Arugula, Tomato, and Goat Cheese Tea Sandwiches

Spread the balsamic goat cheese mixture on two slices of bread. Add approximately ¼ cup arugula and several thin tomato slices. Remove the crusts and cut into thirds.

Turkey and Cherry Cream Cheese Tea Sandwiches

Spread the cherry cream cheese mixture on two slices of bread. Add several slices of turkey, assemble, remove the crusts, and cut into thirds.

Repeat as desired to create a variety of sandwiches for your guests.

Chocolate-Covered Strawberries

Ingredients

• 16 ounces fresh strawberries
• 6 ounces bittersweet chocolate
• ⅓ cup sweetened condensed milk
• 1–2 teaspoons milk (if needed)

Preparation

Fill a small saucepan with approximately one inch of water and heat over medium-low heat. Place a metal bowl over the saucepan, ensuring the bowl does not touch the water.

Add the chocolate to the bowl and allow it to melt completely. Stir in the sweetened condensed milk. If the mixture becomes too thick, add 1–2 teaspoons of milk until smooth.

Once combined, turn off the heat but leave the bowl over the warm water.

Holding each strawberry by the stem, dip and swirl it through the chocolate mixture until almost completely coated. Place the dipped strawberries on a lightly greased baking sheet or flexible cutting board.

Refrigerate for at least 10 minutes and up to 4 hours before serving.

Serving Suggestions

This menu pairs beautifully with a variety of teas, including:

• Southern sweet tea
• Classic black iced tea
• Peach iced tea
• Raspberry iced tea
• Green tea served over ice
• Cold-brew tea blends
• Fruit-infused herbal iced teas

Serve on a shaded patio, porch, or garden table for a memorable summer tea party experience.

Yield

Serves approximately 12–14 people generously.

Serve the above with your favorite loose-leaf teas, iced teas, and tea party beverages.

See more tea.us/author/steapandbakery”>tea recipes, tea-party menus, and baking articles by Janet Sanchez.

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