Everything You Need for Teatime (Except the Queen)

YumSugarSource: Everything You Need For Teatime (Except the Queen)

It's time to switch up your normal party routine with a tea party - yes, a tea party! We're not talking the stuffy, proper, pinkie-raising party; what we have in mind is a modern (ahem, American) twist on a classic British favorite. After you've assembled homemade jams, fun takes on finger sandwiches, and even an easy-peasy scone recipe, CasaSugar will help you gather everything you need for a contemporary tea party - photo booth and crown confetti included. So fire up the oven and start brewing a pot of Earl Grey . . . it's teatime.

• Traditional Teas: For a traditional British take, serve Darjeeling black tea - an Indian tea with a floral, astringent flavor - or Earl Grey, whose zesty citrus flavor comes courtesy of bergamot. Alternatively (or additionally), brew a pot of your favorite blend, whether green, white, rooibos, or herbal.
• Honey Varietals : Drizzle honey on scones, or stir it into your tea. For extra fun, introduce your guests to several types of single-origin varietals like acacia and chestnut.
• Cucumber Cream Cheese Finger Sandwiches: Mix up the classic cucumber cream cheese sandwich by adding mint instead of the usual dill. Don't forget to cut the cucumber slices paper thin - that is key!
• Salmon Finger Sandwiches: Perk up smoked salmon tea sandwiches with a squirt of lemon and a thin coating of savory mayonnaise (which also helps hold it all together).
• Watercress Sandwiches: Slightly bitter watercress is tempered by a generous coating of butter for a traditional English sandwich your guests will devour with relish.
• British Scones : Classic British scones are crumbly, creamy, and sweet - oh, and did we mention full of buttery flavor? Served with a bit of clotted cream (or butter) and fresh jam, the plate of scones will disappear in no time.
• Homemade Strawberry Jam : Homemade strawberry jam is the perfect addition to buttery scones. Once you learn the simple but precise process, you'll find that the effort expended is well worth it.
• Clotted Cream: Rather than attempt to make clotted cream at home, snap up a jar of the store-bought stuff ($8). A cross between whipped cream and butter, clotted cream is a traditional accompaniment to scones and jam.
• Earl Grey Kumquat Marmalade: Orange marmalade is commonly served with scones, but try this updated and less bitter twist: Earl Grey kumquat marmalade, made by infusing the cute little citrus fruits with citrus-forward Earl Grey tea.
• Victorian Sponge Cake: In America, we call them cupcakes, but in England, "small cakes" are served during tea. This Victorian sponge cake is made with a simple ratio: equal weights of sugar, flour, egg, and butter. The dainty sponge cakes are then topped with whipped cream and a fresh berry for a picture-perfect treat.
• Tea Party Tablescape : What's a tea party without the proper serveware or tablescape? CasaSugar editors have created a list of teatime must haves with a contemporary touch (it even includes a photo-booth backdrop!)