3 Classic Ritz London Afternoon Tea Sandwiches

Today I’m sharing 3 classic Ritz London afternoon tea sandwiches that you can easily recreate in your own kitchen. They have mastered the art of British tea service and this iconic trio achieves the perfect flavorful balance. Cucumber with herb cream cheese on loft bread, smoked salmon with lemon butter on sourdough and ham with wholemeal mustard mayonnaise on brioche. Prepare your sheets and put the kettle on: it’s time for an authentic afternoon tea for two at home.

How to Make and Cut Sandwiches Like a Pro

To achieve clean edges, keep these four golden rules in mind:

• Spread edge to edge: Even if the crusts cut, you need to spread your butter or spread it all the way to the edge of the bread. This layer of fat acts as a waterproof shield to prevent the bread from becoming soggy. It also supports the bread under the knife so your edges don’t squish flat when sliced.
• Use a serrated knife: A long, sharp bread knife is non-negotiable. Saw gently rather than pressing so as not to crush the soft bread.
• Cool before cutting: Assemble the sandwiches, wrap them in plastic wrap, and let them cool in the refrigerator for about 15 to 20 minutes before slicing. This firms up spreads and toppings, making it infinitely easier to achieve clean cuts.
• Cut the crusts last: Always construct the sandwich completely, then cut the crusts into simple, clean cuts to ensure perfect, identical finger shapes.

Other sandwiches on the Ritz menu

There’s nothing like the hushed elegance of the Palm Court. The stunning glass-domed lounge in the heart of the Ritz London where their legendary afternoon tea is served. They are the only hotel in the UK to employ a certified Tea Master, who travels the world to source their exclusive leaves.

To truly understand the art of British tea service, you have to look at this traditional menu at the Ritz. While we’re focusing on our featured trio today, a complete Ritz spread often features these classic variations to round out the serve:

• Cheddar cheese with chutney: Sharp, mature English cheddar with a sweet and spicy pickled chutney (like the Branston pickle) on thick bread.
• Chicken breast with tarragon cream mayonnaise: Sliced ​​chicken breast topped with fresh aniseed tarragon in a creamy vinaigrette, served on rich malt bread.
• Egg salad with chopped shallot and watercress: A delicate egg salad accented with finely chopped shallots for a little bite, topped with fresh watercress and served in a soft brioche bun.

How to Create a Full English Afternoon Tea

If you want to host a truly authentic English afternoon tea, these tasty finger sandwiches are just the opening act. A proper tea service follows a traditional three-tiered progression. Starting with savory, passing through warm scones and ending with delicate sweets.

Recreate the full experience at home:

• The welcome drink: Start the experience like they do at Palm Court – with a cool, crisp glass of champagne to toast before serving tea.
• Tea: Combine these flavors and sweetness with a traditional black loose leaf tea (English Breakfast). A classic Earl Gray works wonderfully, or you can serve a signature Ritz Royal English blend (which can only be purchased directly at the hotel).
• The Scones: No tea service is complete without the appropriate accompaniments. Serve these sandwiches with my Classic English Scones. Serve with a generous bowl of strawberry jam and velvety clotted cream.
• Sweets: End the afternoon on a sweet note with a selection of bite-sized pastries. Think miniature fruit tarts, French macarons and delicate cakes like génoise or petit fours that can easily be enjoyed in two bites.

Looking for even more tea time inspiration? If you want another refreshing crunch, be sure to check out my Radish and Herb Butter Sandwiches recipe.

The golden rule of tea sandwiches: size and shape

When it comes to afternoon tea, size absolutely matters. A good tea sandwich should never require a massive, unsightly bite. Instead, they should be two-bite delicate. Neatly portioned so guests can easily hold a conversation without having a mouth full. Remember that loaves of bread vary in size. Your exact yields will vary if you don’t use standard bread slice sizes.

To achieve the perfect look, aim for a standard size of approximately 3 x 1.5 inches (7.5 x 4 cm). As for the form, you have the choice between a few classic paths:

• The royal rectangles: It’s the ultimate gold standard of afternoon tea. They are incredibly easy to eat and are beautifully uniform.
• The mathematics behind the cut: If you are serving traditional tea for two, a base of 6 full sandwiches makes approximately 18 sandwiches. A standard 4 x 4 inch slice of grocery store bread shrinks to a 3.5 inch (9 cm) square once the crusts are removed. Cutting each full sandwich vertically into three equal strips gives you three delicate fingers measuring approximately 3.5 x 1.5 inches (9 x 3 cm). Leaving you with 18 perfect two-bits to share.
• The Delicious Triangles: If you want a warm, traditional look, diagonal cuts are your best friend. Simply cut your square sandwich from corner to corner to form two large triangles, or cut them again to form four mini triangles.
• Elegant rounds: For a modern, whimsical touch, you can use a 2-inch circular cookie cutter to cut out round sandwiches. Although they look beautiful and distinct, keep in mind that you will lose a little more bread with this method.

Pro tip: Always cut your sandwiches after assembling them, not before. Chilling the assembled sandwiches for 15 minutes first firms up the spreads, ensuring the fillings don’t collapse. When cutting, use a very sharp serrated bread knife and a light sawing motion to get perfectly clean edges.

3 Classic Ritz London Afternoon Tea Sandwiches

Janette

Recreate the legendary elegance of the Ritz London at home with this trio of afternoon tea sandwiches for two. Featuring classic herbed cucumber, citrus butter-smoked salmon, and flavorful ham, it’s the ultimate guide to mastering the perfect crustless finger sandwich.

Preparation time: 20 minutes minutes

Refrigeration: 15 minutes minutes

Total duration: 35 minutes minutes

Servings: 2

For the cucumber, cream cheese and herbs:

For the Smoked Salmon and Lemon Butter:

For the ham-mustard mayonnaise:

Mix the spreads in 3 separate bowls:

Assemble:

• Spread the cream cheese mixture in an even layer over both slices of cereal bread. Layer the cucumber ribbons on one slice, then place the remaining slice of bread on top.

• Spread an even layer of citrus butter on both sourdough slices. Arrange the smoked salmon on a slice, then cover with the rest of the buttered slice.

• Spread the mustard-mayo on the two slices of brioche. Spread the ham on one slice, then finish with the remaining slice of bread on top.

• Wrap each assembled sandwich tightly in plastic wrap and refrigerate for 15 minutes. This helps prepare the toppings for cleaner, easier slicing.

Cut and slice:

• Using a sharp serrated knife, cut the crusts in clean motions (reserve them for snacking later), then cut each sandwich vertically into 3 equal finger strips measuring 3 x 1.5 inches/7.5 x 4 cm. Serve immediately.

Portion: 2people, Calories: 530kilocalories, Carbohydrates: 39g, Protein: 18g, Fat: 29g