After working hard to come up with something very special, The Refuge by Volta and Kimpton Clocktower Hotel, are delighted to finally reveal the details around the launch of their brand-new midweek afternoon tea.
The new afternoon tea menu will be available every Tuesday to Thursday, from 1pm to 4pm, from Tuesday 20th July, served exclusively in the stunning surroundings of the Winter Garden.
Expect a classic but contemporary affair, featuring savouries including indulgent Cheddar cheese custard with flatbread crisps, baby carrots and radishes; oak-smoked salmon with beetroot chutney and labneh on pumpernickel; and a punchy pork and kimchi sausage roll.
Following this – although the order you eat it in will be up to you - are buttery date and sour cherry scones, accompanied by clotted cream and strawberry preserve.
However, the showstopper will be an impressive three-tiered cake stand, featuring fig Battenberg, passion fruit and white chocolate opera cake, spiced carrot cake with cardamom and rose petal, a yoghurt, honey and tahini choux bun, and – inspired by The Refuge’s gin partner, Monkey 47, which uses botanicals from the Black Forest - a Black Forest gateaux.
Manchester favourites, The Brew Tea Company tea and Heart & Graft Coffee will be providing the hot beverages. Although if you fancy a little afternoon sesh, there are some brand-new cocktails designed to partner the afternoon tea. Try a Peach Tea Bellini made with peach liqueur and sparkling green tea, the Rooibos Sbagliato, a twist on the classic Negroni Sbagliato made with sparkling red tea and Campari, or Monkey Knees and Breakfast Marmalade Martini, both featuring Monkey 47.
For those wanting to add a bit of sparkle to their afternoon, there’s a selection of Champagne, but if you’re not boozing, you might be interested in trying the new Copenhagen Sparkling Tea, an organic low/non-alcoholic sparkling drink, combining Nordic innovation and Asian tea traditions, made from a blend of carefully selected teas.
“We’ve been working on creating this afternoon tea with our signature twist for some time,” says Jack Dennett, General Manager of The Refuge by Volta, “and we’re very excited to share the experience with friends of The Refuge and Kimpton Clocktower Hotel. Finally, Manchester’s favourite hangout, our remarkable Winter Garden, is now home to the city’s newest afternoon tea.”
The new Winter Garden afternoon tea is priced at £29.50 per person with a pot of tea or coffee included. Open from Tuesday 20th July, every Tuesday to Thursday (1pm-4pm), book via www.refugemcr.co.uk.