The High Tea Party took place on the 8th and 9th of October at the Shangri-La Hotel Sydney. A celebration of femininity, the event was an excuse to wear pretty frocks, get together with the girls and indulge in a few hours of pampering, cocktails, retail therapy and a classic high tea.
Three levels of the Shangri-La Hotel underwent a transformation with several stalls showcasing their products and services with boutique shopping at the Portobello Road Market stalls and the Galliano Lounge pop-up bar.
Galliano Lounge
The Bar at the Galliano Lounge
Decked out in elegance with gold mirrors and signature red colours, the Galliano Lounge was an oasis of calm amidst the frenetic energy of the event serving cocktails made with Galliano Ristretto.
The Galliano Lounge
Galliano Ristretto is an espresso coffee liqueur made from Robusta and Arabica coffee that give it a full bodied coffee flavour without adding any cream or chocolate. Intensely flavoured, it can be enjoyed alone or as a digestive, or in coffee-based cocktails that are currently in vogue.
On taste, was the Galliano Mocha Martini, made with equal parts of Galliano Ristretto, Russian Standard Vodka, Lavazza Espresso with some Bols Crème De Cacoa White thrown in for good measure.
Galliano Mocha Martini
The cocktail has a strong caffeine kick with a full-bodied espresso flavour, followed by the alcohol from the vodka, which seems milder in comparison.
Galliano Ristretto
Bartenders were kept busy as the cocktails flowed and empty glasses were fast replaced.
Beautiful ladies at the Galliano Lounge
Also on taste was Tuscan Summer made with Galliano Ristretto, Lavazza Espresso, sugar syrup and milk served over ice. Easy to drink and refreshing over ice, this was a milder cocktail for those who like the coffee taste but cannot handle too much caffeine.
Mini cocktail making classes were in full swing with ladies mixing and shaking their own Galliano Mocha Martini for a chance to win a Bally bag and a Lavazza coffee machine.
Cocktail making mini class
Cocktail making with Oscar
Mirrored façade of the Galliano Bar
Leaving the Galliano Lounge proved to be difficult but it was time for High Tea in the Ballroom.
The High Tea Party
The High Tea Party
Downstairs in the Ballroom of the Shangri-La, a glass of bubbly put everyone in the mood for a relaxed afternoon of traditional high tea.
High tea
Starting with a selection of finger sandwiches, these included smoked salmon with cream cheese, minted-cucumber on malted bread, York ham with mustard mayonnaise and cheddar cheese with vine tomato.
Tea, scones, sweets and finger sandwiches
Sweets from the kitchen and mini selection of Sara Lee desserts followed with a fragrant range of Mildura tea to go with the buttermilk and plain scones served with strawberry conserve and cream.
Fashion parade in the Ballroom
A fashion parade took place with beautiful models displaying elegant fashion as they moved around the Ballroom.
Vintage boutique
Pretty soap
The High Tea Party was a fun ladies’ only event designed for indulgence, bonding with the girls and spoiling yourself for a few hours. Sittings were at 10.30am, 12:30pm, 2.30pm and 4.30pm and took place on October 8 and 9, 2001. Tickets cost $90 and included cocktails at the Galliano Lounge. Every guest received a gift bag with products and special offers.
** For more photographs of the event, check out the Gourmantic Facebook page. Remember to “Like” the page and tag yourself! **
Gourmantic and friend attended the High Tea Party as media guests.
The High Tea Party
Stunning bar! I wish I knew about it. Those cocktails look great!
Gorgeous, isn’t it… I could have stayed for a while longer!
Can I have a Galliano Mocha Martini 🙂 RT @gourmantic: The High Tea Party & Galliano Lounge @Shangrilasydney fb.me/JhIdJPzN
What a gorgeous concept! Love it – cocktails and pretty frocks AND high tea!
They had it all covered! Next time, it’s worth arriving early to allow ample time to browse all the stalls and indulge in more cocktails before the high tea. The Galliano Lounge was such an elegant spot to relax with a cocktail.
We went on the Sunday. Was such a fab day! Drinking champers at 10:30 in the morning with some lovely ladies, followed by some coffee cocktails until around 3pm? Perfect! Haha
Ooh… glad you stayed around for a while. Definitely worth spending a few leisurely hours there!
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Is there a high tea party in 2012??the girlz and i would love to attend..;0)
Aiesha, I recommend you check out their website. They also have a Facebook page where they post updates 🙂
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