February: 'BLOODY MARY' afternoon tea

• Queen Mary I was the first woman to successfully claim the throne of England. Married to Prince Philippe II of Spain, 1901's afternoon tea was inspired by her nickname and connections to Spain and the Catalan nation. Sandwich selections included chorizo and squid, pastries included churros with chocolate and lemon saffron creme, and the speciality cocktail was, of course, a delicious bloody mary!

March: 'THE VIRGIN QUEEN' afternoon tea

• Having never married, Queen Elizabeth I was England's 'Virgin Queen.' Remembered as sponsor of Sir Walter Raleigh, who made the first English attempt to colonize the New World, the March afternoon tea was an ode to Elizabeth I's American connections. Guests feasted on mini burgers, mini hot dogs, chocolate brownies, peanut butter cookies, Organic Darjeeling tea, and a specialty cocktail of Appleton Estate Rum, mandarin and passion fruit puree, ginger beer and a dash of grenadine.
  

April: 'BRANDY NAN' afternoon tea

• Queen Anne had a lasting impact on Britain. She left not only the "Races at Ascot," but also John Churchill, Duke of Marlborough, defeated Louis XVI's forces at the Battle of Blenheim during her reign. The Treaty of Utrecht ended the War of the Spanish Succession, saving Vienna and the whole of Austria, which influenced April's afternoon tea. Sandwiches included sauerkraut and white sausage with sweet mustard, pastries included Coffee Bavarian Cream, apple strudel, and the speciality cockatil was a Hennessy Fine Cognac stirred with red fruit tea, honey, Orget and cherry syrup, with a dash of Pernod and Bitters.

May: 'EMPRESS OF INDIA' afternoon tea

• Queen Victoria's reign coincided with the industrial invention, economic growth, and colonial expansion that gave hope for advancement and deep national pride. The high point was her coronation as Empress of India, for which May's afternoon tea took its theme. Guests were served chicken tikka masala and cured curry salmon with lettuce and raisins sandwiches, coconut and milk chocolate pasteries, Organic Assam tea, and a Bombay Sapphire gin shaken with Darjeeling tea, strawberry syrup, cacao, and coffee liquor cocktail.
  

June: 'THE DIAMOND QUEEN' afternoon tea

• Queen Elizabeth II had been popular at home and abroad. She was the Head of State of the United Kingdom and of 15 other Commonwealth States and during her reign, made many official visits abroad and travelled all over Britain. This afternoon tea was quintessentially British, in honour of the Queen's Jubilee taking place in June. This month, traditional coronation chicken on white bread loaf sandwiches are being served, along with trifle, millionaire shortbread, and seasonal scones. Guests sip Organic Earl Grey tea and a specialty cocktail of Earl grey tea stirred with Dubonet, Bombay sapphire gin and bitters.

We'll be keeping up with the fun leading up to the big events this summer! Will you be headed to London this August to get in on the action?