This post may contain affiliate links. Please read our disclosure policy.
There's something uniquely delightful about a Summer Afternoon Tea. As the days grow longer and the sun shines brighter, teatime moves outdoors-to garden tables, breezy porches, and shaded backyards. It's a time for gathering with friends, savoring fragrant teas, and enjoying fresh, seasonal treats.
Whether you’re planning an elegant garden tea or a casual summertime gathering, this guide is filled with beautiful ideas and 50+ teatime recipes to inspire your own celebration of the season. From floral arrangements and tea table inspiration to sweet and savory bites, we've gathered everything you need to host a truly memorable Summer Afternoon Tea.
A Moment to Savor
Summer is best shared slowly, with tea, flowers, and friends. Here's a little reminder to pin or print for your own tea table.
How to Host a Summer Afternoon Tea
Hosting a Summer Afternoon Tea is about creating a moment-simple, seasonal, and full of charm. Whether it's a small table on the porch, a shaded garden setting, or even an indoor space filled with flowers and sunlight, summer tea gatherings can be both elegant and easy.
Here are a few tips to make it special:
Choose a Beautiful, Serene Setting
Pick a location with soft natural light or dappled shade-your garden, a sunny patio, or even an air-conditioned indoor room with open windows. A linen-draped table, accompanied by fresh flowers and delicate china, creates a timeless tea party atmosphere.
🌿 Offer a Seasonal Tea Selection
Include both hot and iced options:
Hot: Darjeeling, Earl Grey with lemon, Jasmine green tea
Iced: Herbal blends (like hibiscus or mint), lavender lemonade, or berry-infused teas
Garnishings: Offer lemon slices, honey, and fresh mint as garnishes.
Plan a Simple Menu
Keep it light, fresh, and beautiful. Think:
Finger sandwiches with cucumber, smoked salmon, or egg salad
Mini scones with jam and cream
Summer tarts, fresh fruit, and floral-inspired treats
Add Flowers for a Flourish
Use garden blooms, seasonal wildflowers, or even edible petals (like pansies or nasturtiums) in centerpieces, ice cubes, or desserts. Keep arrangements low so guests can see across the table.
Embrace the Season
Use linen napkins, vintage glassware, or natural textures like wicker, rattan, or wood to add charm. Play soft music, place hand fans on the table, or set out parasols for extra summery flair.
Summer Afternoon Tea Recipes
We’ve gathered inspiring ideas from simple floral arrangements to beautiful summer tea tables. Plus, teatime recipes to help you host your own Summer Afternoon Tea.
Cucumber Tea Sandwiches are a traditional finger sandwich for afternoon tea, brunches, showers, or gatherings of many kinds. These cucumber sandwiches are easy to make and delightful for your next tea party.
A simple ham salad recipe elevated to incredible with the addition of a few unique ingredients. And is utterly delicious. Ready in 10 minutes, and perfect for summer teatime.
Elevate your tea party with delicious Radish and Cucumber Tea Sandwiches. Crisp radish flavors and curried butter create a unique twist on this classic finger sandwich.
Strawberry Chicken Salad Tea Sandwiches with Creamy Lemon Dressing are a deliciously fresh and slightly sweet take on traditional chicken salad finger sandwiches. They're easy to make, delicious, and bright with thebrilliant colors of summer.
Incredibly delicious but exceedingly simple Salmon Salad Tea Sandwiches with herbs and a creamy dressing. Utterly simple and perfect for a summer tea party.
This Cucumber Soup is a delicious and bright creamy soup, perfect for a hot summer day. It's packed with healthy ingredients pureed in a blender in 5 minutes or less, plus chilling time.
This Gazpacho Recipe is an easy, utterly delicious, fresh Spanish chilled soup recipe that takes about 5 minutes to whip up, plus chilling time. And is inspired by authentic recipes served in Seville.
Homemade Mini Quiche is so incredibly easy to make, you'll find yourself skipping the freezer section of your market. Delicious party food, teatime snack (or coffee break too), this recipe shows you how simple it is to make 3 different mini quiche varieties in one mini muffin tin.
"Smoked salmon is only made more delectable by fresh dill and chives. Teamed with crème fraîche these tarts are the perfect summer lunch or grown up party food."
Whether you’re baking for brunch, afternoon tea, or simply a gathering of friends, this Salmon Quiche is a treat your guests will love. Light, creamy and custardy with the seafood and savory flavors we love. Easy to make, so pretty to serve.
Apricot Scones are an utterly delicious treat with an irresistibly buttery, light, and flaky crumb. These teatime favorites, with a hint of almond and warm spice, are perfect for late summer tea, brunches, snacks, or coffee.
These light and fluffy English Scones are easy to make and perfect for afternoon tea or even breakfast. Serve with clotted cream, jam, or lemon curd. Beautifully simple, and delicious!
These easy to make Blueberry Scones with Lemon Butter Glaze are flaky and tender, sweet with blueberries, bright and fresh with lemon. And… they're absolutely perfect for breakfast, brunch… or afternoon tea.
"American shortcakes are more like scones than biscuits. Usually filled with strawberries and cream these pink rhubarb ones are a great British twist to serve at high tea."
"Urvashi Roe's glorious Earl Grey and lemon loaf cakes are the perfect dinky addition to an afternoon tea. Pair with pear and honey green tea - an ideal blend of sweet and tangy that match these mini loaves brilliantly."
This Lavender Tea Bread is a moist and sweet tea loaf, perfect for afternoon tea or simply to celebrate when the lavender blooms. Delightfully rich with butter and lavender cream, and unforgettable with the vanilla flavoring.
“These cute cupcakes are ideal for a summery afternoon tea. They have a simple vanilla sponge base and their toppings can be flavoured in three ways: blueberry, cherry ripple or lemon and earl grey.”
“Old-Fashioned Creamy Orange Icebox Cake pairs vanilla-bean shortbread with a zesty buttercream kissed with citrus. A mound of freshly picked raspberries, blueberries, and mint crowns the show-stopping treat, and a light dusting of confectioners' sugar offers the final touch.”
Tiers of delicate sponge cake covered in succulent berries and a cloud of whipped cream with a hint of Grand Marnier make Strawberry Shortcake a perennial favorite of every generation.
This Victoria Sponge Cake is an afternoon teacake recipe, favored by Queen Elizabeth, with a long British royal heritage. An easy-to-make, simple two-layer cake that's lightly sweet, soft, and perfect!
This Strawberry Bundt Cake Recipe with Lemon Glaze is utterly delicious with fresh strawberries and lemon. A tender and moist texture from Greek yogurt make it irresistible and perfect for the season.
These bite-size Berry Puff Pastry Tarts with Lemon Cream recipe is an easy afternoon tea dessert, Mother's Day brunch, or summer treat. Perfect, of course, with a cup of tea, a glass of frosted lemonade or iced tea, and a summer breeze. Easy, fresh, and perfect for the season.
These Chocolate Ganache Mini Tarts are a chocolate lover's dream. A tender toasted almond shortbread crust is filled with an irresistible chocolate ganache that's so easy, you won't believe it.
A summer celebration isn't complete without a delicious dessert. This no-bake Strawberry Trifle is incredibly delicious, effortless, and ready in minutes!
These Quark Mini Cheesecakes or German Käsekuchen are delightful and surprisingly easy desserts. Perfect for brunch, afternoon tea, or dinner guests. Topped with fresh seasonal berries, they are incredibly delicious.
This French Lemon Curd Tart is inspired by Tarte au Citron, or French Lemon Tart. It's a creamy, slightly tangy lemon custard filling baked in a crisp, buttery shortbread crust. It's incredibly simple to make, and utterly delicious!
How to Make a Simple Summer Tea Table Arrangement:
✿ Start with a low, wide container (a vintage bowl or teacup works beautifully) ✿ Add floral foam or a small mason jar inside for structure ✿ Choose seasonal flowers: garden roses, hydrangeas, sweet peas, daisies, or herbs ✿ Trim stems short and arrange in small clusters for a loose, natural look ✿ Tuck in greenery like mint or fern sprigs for added softness
Tip: Stick to one or two color families for a cohesive and calming display.
Be inspired by these simple yet elegant summer tea tables, whether situated in a garden setting or indoors with beautiful summer offerings and tablescapes.
photo credit: www.victoriamag.com
credit: www.teatimemagazine.com
Savor the warmth of friendship with a flavorful luncheon served during a day of croquet.
photo credit: www.victoriamag.com
The heart of French style is imbued with a refined sensibility-a devotion to the pleasures of taste, smell, and touch. Its expression is as simple as a table set for tea.
credit: www.japantimes.co.jp
Although afternoon tea is a British tradition, Japan, too, offers an opportunity to enjoy tea time with all the luxurious trimmings.
photo credit: www.teatimemagazine.com
Welcome summertime's beautiful weather and carefree days with a tea party on the patio. Invite your neighbors for a buffet-style outdoor tea party.
credit: www.teatimemagazine.com
Tips for an Easy and Elegant Summer Tea
A short list of planning tips:
Mix store-bought and homemade ingredients with confidence
Prep ahead where possible (note freezer-friendly bakes or cold salads)
Whether you're attending a summer tea or hosting one, a small, heartfelt gift adds a personal and gracious touch. Here are some thoughtful ideas-for both giving and receiving.
Gifts to Bring the Hostess
A simple token of appreciation is always welcome and reflects the spirit of the occasion. Consider:
Tin of loose-leaf tea or a beautifully wrapped box of sachets
Bouquet of garden blooms or a potted herb like lavender or mint
Jar of local honey, homemade jam, or preserves
Vintage teacup and saucer or tea towel with a seasonal motif
Bundle of homemade scones or cookies, tied with ribbon or twine
Hand-poured candle in a summery scent like citrus, rose, or mint
Gifts for the Hostess to Give Her Guests
Small parting gifts, also known as "tea favors," are a lovely way to thank your guests for sharing the afternoon with you. These tokens can be simple, seasonal, and made ahead:
Mini jars of jam or lemon curd
Scone wrapped in parchment with a handwritten note or tag
Small sachet of loose tea or herbal blend
Pressed flower bookmark tucked into a place setting
Handwritten card with a favorite quote or tea memory
It's these thoughtful, charming details that leave lasting impressions and sweet memories of a well-spent teatime.
Frequently Asked Questions
What teas are best for summer afternoon tea?
Include suggestions like Darjeeling, Earl Grey with lemon, fruity herbal blends, or iced lavender or mint teas.
Can you host a summer afternoon tea indoors?
Yes-use fresh flowers, light linens, and sunny flavors to bring the essence of summer indoors.
What should guests wear to a summer tea party?
Encourage light, breezy attire-floral dresses, linen shirts, sun hats, etc.
More Summer Afternoon Tea Recipes
If you love the idea of seasonal tea gatherings, here are more posts and recipes you might enjoy:
Make sure you don't lose track of this article by pinning it for later! If you are not already, you can follow me on Pinterest, as well as keep up with me on Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube.
Join the Sunday Morning Tradition
If you enjoyed this post, you’ll love The Sunday Edit No. 4. It’s my weekly “magazine-style” digest designed to help you reset, refine, and find beauty in the everyday. From intentional kitchen resets to curated seasonal menus, it’s the 31 Daily you love, delivered with a bit more soul.
Stephanie Wilson is the founder of 31Daily.com, where she shares seasonal recipes, weekly meal plans, and teatime favorites to help readers gather around the table with joy. A certified private chef, cookbook author, and longtime event planner, she brings over 20 years of experience in catering, food writing, and media production—including network television work as a producer, director, and writer. Her work has been featured by Today.com, The Kitchn, Parade, and more.
I agree with Liz, I will not be leaving. So glad I found your website which is so delightful. I am filled with excitement and joy whenever I visit it. Thanks very much.
I agree with Liz, I will not be leaving. So glad I found your website which is so delightful. I am filled with excitement and joy whenever I visit it. Thanks very much.
You are welcome! And thank you so much for the kind words! I’m thrilled to find others equally inspired inspired by the beauty of sharing tea!
Love Love Love your website! Think I will just move here and stay, it has all the things I love.
Thank you, Liz! I’m so glad you’re here 💕💕