Site icon Downton Abbey Cooks

Tea with a Twist: Casino-Themed Afternoon Tea for Aristocrats

downtonabbeycooks

Afternoon tea is a tradition that has survived the British folk for centuries. With dainty cakes, finger sandwiches, and teas, tea time is something that aristocrats never skip. These tea parties are also common outside the UK, even the US, although the tea culture may have evolved slightly differently.

That being said, simply sipping through the afternoon tea may seem slightly dull. To make the activity more entertaining, you can give it a twist. For example, a casino-themed afternoon tea may be a good idea to spice things up. In this article, you will learn how to throw a tea party worthy of aristocrats.

How to Host a Casino-Themed Tea Party

Holding a casino-themed tea party is not that different from a usual tea party, but there are some special things you should pay close attention to:

Check the Laws

Before you set up a casino-themed tea party, make sure that you check the laws and regulations for your area. For instance, certain types of gambling are prohibited in some states, especially if you are holding a commercial-scale event. To ensure you have a smooth party, make sure that you respect the rules and regulations set up by your government.

Choose the Location

You can choose the perfect location for the event based on your budget and preferences. Here are a couple of ideas:

Make sure that your location is not too big or too small. You don’t want to feel like the place is too cramped or empty. If you rent the location, ensure the property owner agrees with the theme.

Decide on the Entertainment Options

You are at a casino-themed party, so you obviously need to pick up a few games you normally see at casinos. There are three different categories of casino games that you can usually go for:

Ensure you have a healthy selection of each type, as guests may have different casino preferences. That being said, you should also remember that no one wants complicated games at a party, so you should stick to the usual: blackjack, roulette, and poker.

To make them more likely to engage, you can consider installing slot gaming machines with free spins, the variation of which you can read about athttps://www.slotozilla.com/uk/free-spins. You don’t even have to buy a big slot machine. You can set up many online options, and you will only need a computer for that.

Pick Out the Drinks

You’re holding a tea party, so you need to set your drink list. Make sure you have a selection of warm and cold drink options. Warm brewed tea will be the common choice, but you should also have some iced tea and cocktails available. Consider setting up a bar area where guests can give their tea choices a twist.

Teas can differ based on availability and preferences. You can never go wrong with teas such as Earl Grey, Russian Caravan, or Lapsang Souchong, three black teas favoured by aristocrats. Assam tea is also was very popular with Queen Elizabeth herself over others.

That being said, you rarely enter a casino and see non-alcoholic beverages. Champagne and other alcoholic drinks are common during high tea, but you can switch them up to fit the event. A good idea would be to serve cocktails or mocktails with a tea base that guests can enjoy during the tea party.

Set up the Snacks

Obviously, if you are throwing a tea party, you also need to offer a few snacks. Consider the type of drinks you are providing to mix and match the beverages and snacks properly. Below are a few ideas:

Drink Snack
Traditional Black Tea Clotted cream scones
Earl Gray Biscuits, chocolate, and lemon cakes
Spicy Chai Latte Cinnamon buns
Gin-Based Iced Tea Cocktails Pretzels, nuts, and biscuits
Bourbon-Based Iced Tea Cocktail Dried Fruit

In the end, the choice of snacks is up to you. However, make sure that you have selections of both sweet and salty options to accompany your drinks.

Drink Ideas for Casino-Themed Afternoon Tea

While the choice of drinks is up to the majority’s preferences, some drinks are common during tea parties. And the good news is that you can make most cocktails with or without alcohol. Here are some options that are reminiscent of a casino night.

Earl Grey Cobbler

Earl Grey is one of the most common options at aristocratic tea parties, so at least one drink should feature it. The Earl Grey Cobbler is a safe and refreshing mocktail for those who want to feel at a casino night but do not want any alcohol. You just need some chilled Earl Grey tea, simple syrup, and three orange slices.

Peach Iced Tea Cocktail

The Peach Iced Tea Cocktail is a great choice if you are holding an afternoon tea during summer. You need some unsweetened peach tea, mint syrup, and vodka (ideally, peach vodka) to make this tea. You can garnish the drink with some peach slices and fresh mint.

Long Island Iced Tea

Long Island Iced Tea is a drink that is commonly found at casinos. You can make the classic Long Island Iced Tea, mix it with Cola, or add any tea. Russian Caravan chilled tea works particularly well with this drink. You will also need ½ fluid ounces of vodka, gin, rum, tequila, triple sec (each), some sweet and sour mix, and a lemon slice.

Tea Mimosa

Mimosas are common drinks that are as perfect for casino nights as for tea parties and brunches. With a base of champagne or sparkling wine and sweetened with fruit tisane syrup, this bubbly and sweet drink can be the perfect choice to impress your guests. It is also quite elegant and great for a casino-themed event.  

Strawberry Mint Tea Bourbon Cocktail

Bourbon is a very popular drink at casinos, and it mixes especially well with black tea. To make this cocktail, you need a couple of chopped strawberries, several mint leaves, simple syrup, lemon juice, black iced tea, and obviously, Bourbon. Mix them in a shaker with some ice, and you have the perfect cocktail you can drink at a casino and a tea party.

Royal Tea Cocktail

Gin is very popular at casinos and can be easily integrated at tea parties. Mix some London Dry Gin, chilled Earl Grey, lemon juice, and some sugar to make a great cocktail. Mix it in a shaker with crushed ice, and you’ll have a casino-like drink that is perfectly acceptable for a tea party.

Conclusion

As you can see, afternoon tea does not have to be dull and ordinary. In fact, a casino-themed tea party might be just what the doctor ordered to liven up the place. Now that the stage is set, all you have to do is enjoy your time. There’s even a chance you will finish the evening richer than before.


Exit mobile version