Tipsy Tea At The K West Hotel & Spa

Richmond Way, Shepherd’s Bush, London, W14 OAX

How can one refuse an invitation to review a Tipsy Tea, and I am very glad I didn’t, as I spent a lovely couple of hours, drinking delicious Afternoon Tea inspired cocktails, whilst grazing on a cheese and meat platter, with not an actual cucumber sandwich or scone in sight!

The Mixologist, and Head Chef, at the K West Hotel & Spa in Shepherd’s Bush, have come together to create a selection of carefully concocted cocktails, representing some of the nation’s favourite parts of a traditional Afternoon Tea, and all cleverly named with Mar-Tea Ni in their names.

Our Tipsy Tea featured three cocktails based on traditional Afternoon Tea flavours - the classic cucumber sandwich, that I usually find very dull (not here though), sweet Victoria sponge, and strawberry jam to finish. The cocktails are made to share and are uniquely served in glass teapots, and these are paired with a cheese and meat platter that is served not on a triple Afternoon Tea stand, but on a retro record turntable.

Having settled into the laidback and urban cool Studio Bar, and enjoyed our welcome glass of prosecco, we were served our first cocktail, named the Tipsy Cucumber Sandwich Mar-Tea-Ni, combining peppermint infused gin, St Germain, apple juice, lemon juice and fresh cucumber and garnished with a cucumber peel. This was delicious and very refreshing.

This was followed by The Merry Victoria Sponge Cocktail, made from lemon infused gin, MB Creme de Mure, MB Creme de Cassis, lemon juice and vanilla syrup, served with a Macaron garnish – also delicious!

And finally, we enjoyed the Sozzled Scone and Strawberry Jam Cocktail, with green tea infused gin, Chambord, MB Fraise, cranberry juice, Agave syrup and a swirl of strawberry jam.

Whilst enjoying these creative cocktails, we enjoyed grazing on the cheese and meat platter that included salami and Parma ham, olives, stilton, Emmental and brie cheese, and a jar of honey, accompanied by nuts, pitta bread, dried apricots, grapes and raspberries.

The Studio has black granite bar that is illuminated by two dazzling dropcolumn chandeliers, with swathes of voile curtains, an architectural fireplace and chic furniture, radiating a sexy, chic style. On Wednesdays, every week, you can enjoy a free Cocktail Masterclass, from 6.15pm to 7.00pm, where you will learn the tricks of the trade from their talented mixologists, plus, they’ll give you 20% off your first drink afterwards.

Shepherd’s Bush is based in West London, and has changed almost beyond belief. My friend Jackie and I started our careers at the BBC there nearly 40 years ago, and we both said we wished the K West Hotel & Spa, and their Tipsy Tea, had been there all those years ago!

Reservations for the Tipsy Tea do require a minimum of two people per booking, and this includes your welcome glass of prosecco, three teapot cocktails and the cheese and meat platter to share.

The Tipsy Tea is served in the hotel’s Studio Bar & Kitchen daily from 4pm - 9pm and costs £59 per person. www.k-west.co.uk