Afternoon tea is a cherished tradition at the Fairmont Olympic Hotel in Seattle. The hotel’s Tea Room offers a luxurious and sophisticated setting in which to enjoy a selection of tea, sandwiches, scones, and pastries. The tea service is accompanied by live music, creating a relaxed and refined atmosphere.
The tea menu features a variety of loose-leaf teas, including black, green, herbal blends, and specialty tea cocktails. The savory selections typically include tea sandwiches, such as smoked salmon and cucumber, and there are also sweet treats like scones with clotted cream and preserves, macarons, and miniature pastries.
The recipe for the Earl Grey Tea Cookies from the Fairmont Olympic Hotel can be found here.
Recipe: Fairmont Olympic Hotel’s Earl Grey Tea Cookies
Ingredients
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 2 tbsp finely ground Earl Grey tea leaves (from about 5 bags)
- 1⁄2 tsp salt
- 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened at room temperature
- 1⁄2 cup confectioners’ sugar
- 1 tbsp finely grated lemon zest
Instructions
1. Whisk flour, tea, and salt in a small bowl; set aside.
2. Put butter, sugar, and zest in the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment. Mix on medium speed until pale and fluffy, about 3 minutes. Reduce speed to low; gradually mix in flour mixture until just combined.
3. Divide dough in half. Transfer each half to a piece of parchment paper; shape into logs. Roll in parchment to 1 1/4 inches in diameter, pressing a ruler along edge of parchment at each turn to narrow the log and force out air.
4. Freeze until firm, 1 hour.
5. Preheat oven to 350F. Cut logs into 1/4-inch-thick slices. Space 1 inch apart on baking sheets lined with parchment.
6. Bake cookies, rotating sheets halfway through, until edges are golden, 13 to 15 minutes. Let cool on sheets on wire racks. Cookies can be stored in airtight containers at room temperature for up to 5 days.
Yield: 2-3 dozen cookies
The Fairmont Olympic Hotel’s Afternoon Tea is a popular activity for visitors and locals alike, and it is a perfect way to spend an afternoon with friends or family. It’s also a great way to celebrate special occasions like birthdays, anniversaries, or graduations.
If you’re interested in experiencing afternoon tea at the Fairmont Olympic Hotel, it is recommended that you make a reservation in advance, as the tea service is quite popular and spaces fill up quickly.
Fairmont Olympic Hotel
411 University Street, Seattle, Washington, United States 98101
Reservation + 1 206 621 1700
Served each weekend day from 11 am to 3 pm.