Opium, the dimly lit, speakeasy-like enclave that sits decadently atop the chatter of China Town has its own answer to Afternoon Tea Week this year. For the event, which is running all this week, it has teamed with Oblique and the London Tea Club to create a number of cocktails infused with the finest, artisanal teas from across the globe – Asia in particular.
Cocktails infused with exotic flavours at Opium
The elusive venue – hidden behind a dark, inconspicuous door on Gerrard Street – is a perfect setting for this more sophisticated take on the institution of Afternoon Tea. Instead of scones and finger sandwiches, there is a carefully composed menu of cocktails.
The cocktails being prepared
Among the offering, a twist on the traditional martini with a touch of flower-garden sweetness coming by way of Antique Rose tea; and a fruity, cherry-topped creation, made darker with a hint of pine-smoked lapsang souchong.
These less-than-typical libations are just the sort of thing we’ve come to love about Opium and even if Afternoon Tea Week is a new concept to you, this is something you’ll regret forgoing.
by Becky Zanker
Afternoon Tea Week takes place until August 16 at Opium 16 Gerrard Street, Soho, W1D 6JE