California Dreamin': A Garden Afternoon Tea Experience 🫖
Picture this: a warm, sunny afternoon in a serene garden, surrounded by your closest friends, indulging in delicious Californian-inspired tea, sandwiches, and desserts. Sounds too good to be true? Not anymore! Welcome to the ultimate guide to hosting an unforgettable afternoon tea in the garden, complete with mouth-watering food and drink options inspired by the flavors of California, a state rich in culinary treasures. So, grab your favorite tea cup, put on your sunhat, and join us on this journey to a delightful garden tea experience.
Setting the Scene:
A memorable afternoon tea experience begins with the perfect setting. When choosing a location for your garden tea party, consider a spot with a balance of sunlight and shade. A gazebo, pergola, or even a large umbrella can provide that much-needed respite from the sun's rays. As for seating arrangements, you could go traditional with a long, elegant table or get creative with picnic blankets and cushions. Either way, make sure to dress your space with fresh flowers, linen napkins, and a charming tea set that reflects the Californian theme.
Shabby Chic Tea Pots
The Californian Tea Menu - A Flavorful Fusion:
Nothing sets the tone of a tea party like the teas themselves. For a Californian twist, you could opt for a selection of both traditional and exotic blends, such as rooibos with lavender, jasmine, or shiso leaf, yuzu citrus zest, sencha green tea with a hint of mint or citrus. If you want an extra slice of the Golden State, try incorporating some locally grown hibiscus or locally harvested honey. And for the tea connoisseurs, you could also serve a blend that includes lemon verbena is always a great herbal tea for digestion, a surprising and delicious option native to the state.
Sugarbird Tea Sandwiches - Turkey + Havarti Cheese + Pesto, Japanese Mascarpone Fruit Sandwich on Milk Bread
Delightful Tea Sandwiches - A Savory Selection:
When it comes to tea sandwiches, California's diverse culinary influences shine. Give the classic cucumber sandwich a Californian spin with the addition of avocado or sun-dried tomatoes. Or switch things up with a smoked turkey and cranberry sandwich on sourdough bread - a signature of San Francisco or head to your local Asian bakery and grab a loaf of their Milk Bread. If you're lucky to find some ube or matcha milk bread, it can create another gorgeous world of tea sandwiches to bring your table some conversation starters. You can also opt for more adventurous options like shrimp with siracha mayo salad on mini croissants, or mini tacos filled with quirky combinations such as goat cheese and apricot salsa.
Sugarbird Spring Collection Scones
Scrumptious Scones, Jam, and Cream - Sweet tooth Satisfaction:
Now for the pièce de résistance, the sweet and buttery scone paired with velvety smooth clotted cream and fruity jam! Transport your guests' taste buds to sunny California by offering an array of fruits such as a zesty orange marmalade or a tangy apricot jam. For a creamier touch, you can try a cashew butter with cinnamon cream, it has a delicate and silky texture, perfect for pairing with warm, homemade vegan scones.
Modern Garden Indigo Themed Table Scape
The Ultimate Californian Dessert Spread:
Last but not least, a dessert spread worthy of Californian dreams. From mini lemon tarts, macarons laiden with summer fruits flavors, to chocolate chip cookies with a hint of sea salt, your options are endless. Don't be afraid to get creative with unique flavor combinations, like honey lavender cupcakes or a selection of fruit skewers with chili-lime dipping sauce. Just remember to keep your dessert choices bite-sized to prevent your guests from feeling overwhelmed by indulgence.
Conclusion:
Hosting an afternoon tea in the garden with Californian-inspired flavors, teas, and sandwiches is more than a party - it's an exquisite experience to share with your closest friends. When the time comes to raise your tea cups, you'll find yourself delighting in a celebration of deliciousness, elegance, and friendship. So, as the sun sets on your golden afternoon filled with laughter and delicate treats, you'll not only have created a magical moment that'll be remembered but truly embraced the essence of California Dreamin'. Cheers!
We had our soft opening last week! 3405 Ocean View Blvd Montrose, CA
We opened our doors last Wednesday to work out our kinks and see how the flow goes. Meeting the neighbors, reconnecting with old friends from the markets have been the biggest boost this past week.
Thank you for sharing all your stories from these past 3 years.
Get Ready for Sugarbird Cafe in Montrose, CA!
We are excited to announce that Sugarbird Cafe will be opening its doors soon in Montrose, CA! This is the perfect place to get everything you need for an afternoon tea. Whether you are planning a picnic, birthday party, wedding or bridal shower, or a corporate event, we have got you covered with our delicious scones, teas, tea sandwiches and more.
What to Expect at Sugarbird Cafe
When you visit Sugarbird Cafe, you can expect to find a wide variety of items to choose from to make your event special. Our scones come in a variety of flavors, sizes, including the classics like our Buttermik Cream Cheese Scones or Matcha White Chocolate, along with our vegan and wheat free friendly options. We also offer a selection of teas, as well as tea sandwiches and other light snacks. In addition, we offer a variety of platters and trays that are perfect for larger events.
Why Choose Sugarbird Cafe?
When it comes to afternoon tea, nobody does it better than Sugarbird Cafe! We have been providing delicious scones, teas, and tea sandwiches for years, and we are excited to bring our cafe to Montrose. With our convenient location and ample parking, we makes it easy for you to stop by and pick up everything you need for your event. And because we only use the freshest ingredients, you can be sure that your guests will love our food!
Stop by today and see what we have to offer!
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We missed you all and can’t wait to connect again!
Sincerely,
Kei
Chief Scone Officer / Founder
Sugarbird Sweets and Teas
Our Love Affair with Scones
There's just something about a scone that brings people together. Maybe it's the diverse range of flavors and ingredients. Maybe it's the fact that they can be enjoyed with coffee or tea, any time of day. Or maybe it's because they remind us of spending time with family and friends. Whatever the reason, we simply can't get enough of these delicious pastries!
Scones 101
For those of us who are new to the world of scones, let's start with the basics. A scone is a type of quick bread that is usually made with flour, butter, milk, and sugar. They can be either savory or sweet, and they are often served with tea or coffee. Some are made with eggs but Sugarbird Sweets does not, to make them extra light and crumbly.
There are literally thousands of different scone recipes out there, which means there's a flavor for everyone. Popular scone flavors include lemon blueberry, raspberry, chocolate chip, cinnamon, and pumpkin spice. And that's just the tip of the iceberg! With so many flavors to choose from, it's no wonder people love scones so much. At Sugarbird Sweets, our most popular flavor is our Matcha White Chocolate.
The Best Place for Scones
If you're looking for freshly-baked scones that are sure to hit the spot, look no further than your local bakery or order online through Sugarbird Sweets! Our scones are made with only the finest ingredients and baked fresh throughout the day. Whether you're looking for a quick snack or a leisurely breakfast or lunch, we've got you covered. Be sure to try one of our signature loose leaf tea too—they're the perfect complement to any scone!
Conclusion:
The next time you're in the mood for something sweet (or savory), give our scones a try. We promise you won't be disappointed! Sugarbird Sweets is your go-to for all things scone and afternoon tea-related—so check out our online store and make sure to sign up for our newsletters about our new upcoming cafe opening in Montrose, CA.
Modern Afternoon Tea for Your Bridal and Baby Showers
Afternoon tea is a lovely way to celebrate milestones such as a bridal or baby shower. It is a time to slow down, enjoy good company and of course delicious food. Below is everything you need to know on how to make your own modern afternoon tea.
What You Need to Prep
The beauty of afternoon tea is that it can be as simple or as elaborate as you like. If you're short on time, you can pick up some pre-made finger sandwiches and scones from your local bakery. But if you want to go the extra mile, there are plenty of recipes online for homemade treats. Either way, you'll need to make sure you have the following items on hand:
Tea bags or loose leaf tea - It would be nice to offer a herbal caffeine free option, along with a green and a black options for all the variety of choices available.
A teapot or infuser - one for each type of tea, if you can
Milk and sugar - don’t forget the almond milk for lactose intolerant guests
Cups and saucers - there are plenty great finds at your local HomeGoods Stores or your thrift stores near by. Mix and match for the Boho Chic setting
Small plates - for tea sandwiches, mini sweets
Napkins - this is a great way to include some seasonal touches
Afternoon Tea Treats to Prep
Tea Sandwiches - we recommend 2-3 pieces per person, depending on the time of day
Scones with clotted cream and jam - we recommend 1-2 pieces per person.
Other small bites of sweets - our favorite, brownie bites, blondie bites, cut into bite sized triangles, meringues for the cute fluffy look, French macarons for the color
Spruce up your platter with some greenery or flower petals to sprinkle on your plates from your garden or can purchase them online or find them at your local gourmet grocery stores
How to Make Tea
Making the perfect cup of tea is an art form, but don't worry - we'll walk you through it step by step. First, start by boiling water in a kettle and letting it cool for about 2 minutes. This will ensure that your water is at the ideal temperature for brewing without scalding the leaves. Then, measure out 1 teaspoon of loose leaf tea or 1 tea bag per cup into your teapot or infuser. Pour hot water over the leaves and let them steep for 3-5 minutes. Add milk and sugar to taste, then pour into cups and enjoy!
What to Purchase?
There are a few key things you'll need to purchase in order to throw a successful afternoon tea party. First, make sure you have enough cups and saucers for all your guests. A mug is good too. Having small plates for the sandwiches and scones, as well as napkins. Milks and sugars.
We hope this blog post has given you everything you need to know to throw a successful modern afternoon tea party! Just remember to keep it simple - your guests will love spending time catching up over a pot of fresh brewed tea and some light snacks. Cheers!
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