Yes, it’s true.
24 Bar & Grill have taken two of my favourite things and combined them into a cakey alcoholic lovely one. And I could not be happier.
With their usual aplomb though, they’ve not done things by halves. Using that well-loved gin, Hendricks, they’ve created an afternoon tea that will please both gin and tea drinker alike.
Popping along with my friend Laura, we were intrigued to learn how they’d made gin an intrinsic part of the whole package.
I’m rather a frequenter of the Bar itself and saying hello to the bar staff (and sampling one of their Beyonce tribute cocktails), we were soon settled in the little area reserved for us, complete with Hendricks tea set.
It was such a lovely sight, and when the teapot arrived… Well my inner girly girl sighed with happiness. The whole thing is just pretty. And that was before we had even tasted anything.
Alan, normally ever-present behind the bar, had created a gin and green tea punch for us. Using the Hendricks’ characteristic cucumber botanical as a base, it was light, refreshing and perfect for an afternoon hiding away from the hustle and bustle of the city.
Whilst I played mother and poured the tea, our food arrived. We could smell the freshly baked scones before we saw them, the scent of baking and warm sugar wafting through the bar.
The finger sandwiches with traditional fillings of smoked salmon, cucumber and egg and cress, were fantastic. The smoked salmon had been additionally cured with gin, the juniper playing incredibly well with such quality fish. The egg and cress was enhanced with a touch of mustard and the cucumber – well it’s hard to go wrong with cold salted butter, cucumber and white bread. I’m actually rather partial to them.
Now, I’m not one for sweeping judgements. And I have sampled a fair few afternoon teas around the city. But.
I have yet to try better scones.
These are light, fluffy, but crumbly. Sweet, but not overly so. And with Chantilly cream rather than heavy clotted, and an apple jam flavoured with gin that would make Clippy proud…. Well. Yes.
They were good. Incredibly so.
I’d say it was worth it for the scones alone, but knowing the effort that went into each element, made it even more special. The gin cured salmon was a particular treat, and along with the apple jam and it’s added gin, was one of those finishing touches that makes an afternoon tea special.
If you’re looking for an afternoon tea, that’s a change from the norm (and comes in at the bargain price of £19.95 for two), this is perfect. Forget fizz, gin is the way to go…
