INSPIRED by Britain’s rich trading history and celebrating two businesses with deep roots in the historic Docklands area of London – InterContinental London – The O2 and The East India Company have collaborated on an afternoon tea menu which offers an abundance of exotic ingredients that would have arrived into London’s docks during the 18th century.
The East India Company afternoon tea at the InterContinental London
The East India Company afternoon tea at the InterContinental London
Available until the end of June in the Meridian Lounge at the Intercontinental London, O2, which is situated on the Greenwich peninsula, the afternoon tea is set to be a tasty introduction to the merging of the West and East, Britain and India. Special ingredients such as cardamom and Araguani have been infused into delicate sandwiches and pastries by the hotel’s Executive Pastry Chef, Amit Kumar.
Ranging from Sri Lankan coconut and rose macron to English rhubarb and spiced custard verrine the cakes are mouth-wateringly good. The sandwiches on offer are traditional in name but unique in flavour. Salmon is cured with gin and set on beetroot bread and the chicken coronation is paired with mango chutney on pain de lie. Our favourite? The nutmeg scented egg mayonnaise in a brioche bun. I made sure I left room for more after dessert.
The East India Company afternoon tea in at the InterContinental London
The East India Company afternoon tea in collaboration with InterContinental London
Accompanying the savoury delights and sweet treats are two unique teas packed with flavour. They are both from India but one is a Bombay Chai and the other an Assam Second Flush inspired by the introduction of Assam tea to London in 1838. The East India Company is also credited with the inventing the gin and tonic in the 1800s and, in 2016, the company launched its first gin to commemorate its history.
The tea includes speciality East India Company Gin cocktails such as, The Spice Merchant with Creme de Cacao Blanc, Frangelico, hazelnut syrup, cream, nutmeg and, Barrel Aged Chocolate Negroni with Punt et Mes, cocoa bean infused Campari and chocolate bitters. Sharp, sweet and incredibly refreshing are the words that came to mind when we tried the cocktails for ourselves. The perfect partner for the upcoming summer months.
The East India Company afternoon tea at the InterContinental London
Every bite and sip has an ingredient that tells the history of the rich trading history between India and Britain. For more information please visit here.
by Lily Rimmer
The afternoon tea is available until June 30.
InterContinental, London – The O2, 1 Waterview Dr, London SE10 0TW
Traditional Afternoon Tea – £35
Cocktail Afternoon Tea – £48
Running from April 3 – June 30
Afternoon Tea is served 1:30pm to 4:30pm every day
Booking is essential.
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