A tea change is brewing

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November can be a stressful month with the lead up to Christmas, and sometimes an ordinary cup of tea just doesn’t cut it.

Those drinking at the Fairmont Hamilton Princess have the option of adding a little something extra and it’s not more caffeine.

Get Steeped is part of a promotion throughout the entire Fairmont chain of hotels. Each will offer their own unique take on tea this month.

The Fairmont Hamilton is offering ‘tipsy teas’ hard, and on the rocks.

The drinks are Bacardi-based and specifically designed for the hotel by Cavon Simons, recent winner of the Stir it Up mixologist competition.

“We decided to use Bacardi to launch this, because they have a lot of flavoured rum,” he said.

The ‘teas’ come in three flavours Bacardi Berry Berry Tipsy Tea, Bacardi Peach Ter-Ser and Bacardi Delicious and Taste-Tea.

“We offer the alcohol on the side, because a lot of people don’t like it strong,” said Mr Simons. “Mixing tea with alcohol is a bit like mixing alcohol with water. It is easy for the tea flavour to be overwhelmed. I think it’s better with less alcohol, but some prefer it stronger.”

Mr Simons, a bartender for eight years, made up a couple of examples for The Royal Gazette to try.

The Bacardi Berry Berry flavour had an attractive pink colour and didn’t taste particularly strong. It would have been hard to spot either tea or alcohol in it. The Bacardi Peach Ter-Ser was a little stronger and had a tart, tangy taste that was quite refreshing, and not unlike the flavour of a Long Island Ice Tea.

It brought new meaning to the phrase ‘teetotaler’, normally reserved for people who don’t drink alcohol. If you totaled with too much of this you might pass out.

(I swear officer, all I had was tea, all night ...)

For those looking for something a little more sobering, the Fairmont hotel chain is introducing Eclipse, the first in its line of select British Empire Classic teas. Eclipse is apparently a full bodied black tea (with no rum).

The Fairmont Southampton has their own version of Get Steeped.

Afternoon Tea by the Sea, a four-course tea pairing at the Ocean Club terrace from 2pm to 5pm, starts on Sunday. Guests are encouraged to don their favourite tea time hat. The guest with the best hat will win a two-night stay at the hotel. The cost is $38 per person per gratuities.

For more information call the Fairmont Hamilton Princess on 298-5779 or the Fairmont Southampton on 238-8000.

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