Hosting DIY afternoon tea at home is a thoughtful and fun way to spend time with family and friends or mark a special occasion. In this post, you’ll find afternoon tea menu suggestions and recipes, styling tips, and simple how-to guides to help you create an elegant and exciting homemade afternoon tea.
Reasons you’ll love DIY afternoon tea
- Wallet-friendly: Afternoon tea at hotels and restaurants can be a costly affair. It’s much cheaper to enjoy a homemade version.
- Fun to prepare: Homemade afternoon tea will keep you busy and entertained. Get family and friends to help if you want to.
- Suited to your tastes: Don’t like cucumber sandwiches? Don’t have them! Love cheese and marmite sandwiches? Go for it!
What is afternoon tea?
Afternoon tea – dainty, delicious, and decidedly British. This mid-afternoon indulgence of finger sandwiches, scones, cakes, sweet pastries and copious tea isn’t just a snack – it’s an occasion.
Afternoon tea originated in the 18th century, at a time when the well-to-do upper class were in the habit of consuming just 2 main meals a day – breakfast and dinner. The latter was not served until around 8pm. Understandably, hunger struck by mid-afternoon. I daresay a few ladies even swooned and possibly needed reviving with smelling salts.
Enter Anna Russell, the 7th Duchess of Bedford, who wasn’t prepared to put up with a growling stomach. She began requesting light refreshments and tea to tide her over. A trend was born. And a tasty one at that. Afternoon tea became the social ritual of choice for the fashionable elite.
The tradition of afternoon tea is still alive and well throughout Britain today. However, these days it’s not an everyday occurrence. Instead, it’s a highly coveted treat reserved for special occasions and celebrations.
How to host afternoon tea at home.
Afternoon tea menu
Afternoon tea is an enticing mix of savoury and sweet light bites, all designed to be enjoyed without the need for a knife and fork. Think of it as a refined, sit-down mini buffet. And while the food is important, tea is the star of the show and should never be an afterthought.
A typical afternoon tea menu includes:
- A selection of savoury finger sandwiches.
- Scones with jam and clotted cream.
- A variety of small sweet treats ranging from mini desserts through to small cakes, pastries, macarons or petit fours.
- Proper tea, served from a teapot.
Some menus may include extra savoury options, and when preparing homemade afternoon tea, it’s easy to cater for all sorts of dietary needs – from vegan or vegetarian afternoon tea to a fully savoury afternoon tea spread.
Now, let’s break down each element to help you create your perfect afternoon tea at home.
Sandwiches for afternoon tea
When it comes to DIY afternoon tea, think small and elegant – dainty finger sandwiches are perfect. Opt for a mix of white and brown bread for visual impact. Trim crusts and slice into neat fingers or triangles for that traditional afternoon tea look.
The aim is to present a variety of bites with a contrasting flavours. Here are a few crowd-pleasing fillings to try:
Other popular options include cucumber, ham & mustard, smoked salmon & cream cheese and roast beef & horseradish. But there are no strict rules, so go with your favourites.
Top tip: Make your sandwiches for afternoon tea as close to serving time as possible to keep them fresh and at their best.
Alternative savoury ideas
You don’t have to stick to traditional finger sandwiches. Pinwheel sandwiches or mini bread rolls also work beautifully – or include a mix of all three. Just aim for 3–4 small sandwich-style items per person to keep portions manageable.
To mix things up, you can add one extra savoury element to your spread. Popular choices include:
- Sausage rolls
- Mini quiches
- Cheese scones
- Scotch eggs
- Devilled eggs
Top tip: If you’re including one of these savoury extras, reduce the sandwich selection to three per person – otherwise, it’s easy to overdo it.
Afternoon tea scones – the perfect middle ground
After the sandwiches, scones usually take centre stage. Often served warm, they’re typically plain scones or fruit scones (with sultanas). They are usually accompanied by generous helpings of clotted cream and strawberry jam.
But you can certainly get creative with flavours:
- Blueberry scones are lovely served with lemon curd and clotted cream in summer.
- Chocolate chip scones pair well with cherry jam and clotted cream in winter.
Serving tip: Offer two small scones per person, or one large scone. If you serve a savoury cheese scone with your sandwiches, one sweet scone will be plenty.
Substitutes: If clotted cream is hard to find, whipped double cream is a great alternative. And if cream isn’t your thing, butter and jam (or even honey) will do just fine. While strawberry jam is traditional, feel free to serve your favourite flavour.
Beyond scones
Want to switch things up in your DIY afternoon tea? Replace the scones with another lightly sweet, bready option. Great alternatives include::
- tea cakes
- pikelets
- English muffins
- toasted bread
- fruit bread
Basically, aim for something bready that is not too sweet, so that jam or honey can be served alongside to provide the sweetness.
Afternoon tea sweets
The sweet section of afternoon tea is where you can really let your creativity shine. There are no strict rules – just keep portions small and varied. Like the savoury items, the goal is to offer dainty bites, not large slabs of cake.
Typically, two to three small sweet items per person is perfect – just enough to leave everyone happily full and maybe even a little dreamy.
Think along the lines of mini desserts, macarons, small biscuits, little pastries and small cakes. Here are a few ideas:
Other popular items could include choux buns, mini éclairs, custard slices, mini strawberry tarts, madeleines, chocolate-dipped strawberries, millefeuilles, fairy cakes and butterfly cakes or Florentines. Mix and match to create a colourful, irresistible spread. Just remember to keep portions small so guests can enjoy a variety.
Tea for afternoon tea
Tea may be the unsung hero of afternoon tea, but it deserves just as much thought as the food. Loose leaf tea served in a teapot brings a touch of tradition and elegance to your homemade spread.
When it comes to varieties, it’s all about personal preference. Popular choices include:
- English Breakfast
- Earl Grey
- Assam
- Darjeeling
For something a little different, consider offering:
- Jasmine tea
- Chamomile
- Fruit or herbal infusions
Providing a small selection lets guests choose their favourite – or sample something new!
How to brew loose leaf tea
- Warm the teapot by filling it with hot water, then discard the water.
- Boil fresh water in a kettle.
- Add the tea leaves to the empty teapot (use 1 to 2 teaspoons per person).
- Pour in the hot water (about 240ml per serving) over the leaves.
- Cover and steep the tea for 3-4 minutes, depending on your preferred strength.
- Strain and serve by pouring the tea through a strainer into cups.
- Add milk or sweetener if desired.
Setting the afternoon tea table
Hotels and tea houses often present the sandwiches, scones and cakes on three-tiered stands, which instantly elevates the experience. But let’s be honest, not many of us have one of these at home. Your prettiest crockery will be just fine though.
I adore using my Botanic Blue set from Portmeirion. The delicate floral pattern brings a fresh, timeless charm to the table.
The essentials for a DIY afternoon tea table
To host a stylish afternoon tea at home, make sure you have:
- Teapot: Brimming with freshly brewed loose leaf tea of your choice.
- Teacups, saucers, and spoons: One set per guest.
- Sandwich tray and large serving plates: For your savoury and sweet treats.
- Two side plates per person: One for savoury bites, one for sweets.
Depending on your afternoon tea menu and guests, you might also want to include:
- Cake stand (if you have one)
- Milk jug and sugar bowl
- Dessert forks
Additional details
While it might seem like quite a collection of pottery for what’s essentially finger food, laying out your table thoughtfully truly sets the tone. It adds an elegant, polished feel that transforms your homemade afternoon tea into a special occasion.
And don’t forget the finishing touches: a freshly ironed tablecloth and a vase of fragrant flowers can bring warmth and charm, making your guests feel truly spoilt.
Frequently asked questions
Afternoon tea features three key elements: finger sandwiches, scones (or similar baked goods), and sweet pastries or desserts. Cream tea is simpler, consisting of just scones – usually two – served with jam and clotted cream. Both are traditionally accompanied by a pot of tea.
High tea is very different from afternoon tea. It originated from the working class, who needed a substantial meal to accompany their tea after a hard day’s work. Typically eaten from 5pm onwards at a high dining table with high backed chairs, high tea consisted of a cooked meal – often meat or fish served with vegetables. Think of high tea as an old-fashioned term for dinner.
In contrast, afternoon tea is a more leisurely social occasion featuring finger sandwiches, scones with clotted cream and jam, and sweet cakes & pastries, served in the mid-afternoon.
Whilst tea is at the very heart of a traditional afternoon tea, not everyone loves it. Luckily, there are plenty of other drinks that pair beautifully with your spread.
For children (or anyone who prefers something simple), a refreshing glass of cold milk or chilled water is always a hit. On warmer days, iced tea offers a cool, thirst-quenching alternative that still keeps the tea vibe alive.
And if you’re feeling a bit celebratory, English sparkling wine or classic Champagne elevates the occasion with bubbles. For something a bit different, try a gin & tonic or a refreshing English Garden cocktail.
Do you enjoy hosting afternoon tea at home? What are your favourite recipes and do you have any tips to share? Let me know in ther comments below.
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