Taste CHEERS
SLOW & STEADY An infused teapot treat
BY ALISON BAILIN BATZ / PHOTO BY ELIZABETH BARRY
Last month, The Camby launched a modern twist on traditional high tea. Dubbed “Tipsy Tea Parties,” the lively events take place every Friday and Saturday from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. at the resort’s The Bees Knees venue. “Each quirky service features a prix fixe menu of sweet and savory bites for one’s party to share as well as each guest’s choice of a spiked tea – with both hot and cold options – served in its own funky teapot,” explains Brian Blevins, lead mixologist at The Camby and architect of the spiked tea menu. One clear cool-weather favorite is The Slow & Steady. “We start by adding boiling hot water and caffeine-free chamomile citron tea to our teapot, which needs to steep about five minutes to bring out its full flavor,” Blevins says. “While it’s steeping, we combine both Grand Marnier and China-China liqueurs in the pot as well.” Both the cognac-infused Grand Marnier and the rich, orange flavor in the ChinaChina – which also has hints of cardamom and spice – naturally enhance the fragrance and floral elements in the tea. “We then add fresh lemon juice to bring out the citrus notes and brown sugar simple syrup we make in-house with local honey to play up the sweeter flavors,” Blevins explains. The result is warm and rich, without weighing guests down as some fall and winter cocktails tend to do. Each teapot has two servings. Pots are poured tableside into whimsical tea cups and ready-made for photo opps. Tipsy tea is $40 per person, inclusive of sweet and savory bites and one spiked teapot per guest. Located at The Camby, 2401 E. Camelback Road, Phoenix; 602.468.0700; www.thecamby.com.
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Uptown October '17