Summer begins at Aqua Shard: The New Floral Five Menu!

Hello darlings, it is the evening of Thursday 16th May and as I sit here blogging to you snuggled on the couch in my PJs I am 50 stone heavier and 1000 times happier than I was this morning, and this is all thanks to the wonderful, wonderful team at Aqua Shard.

Today I experienced a total pinch me moment, as I was lucky enough to attend the fabulous launch of Aqua Shard’s Floral Five summer menu. And my goodness, it was every bit as delightful and fabulous as it sounds.

You all know that last month I lived my Disney day of dreams at Aqua Shard’s iconic and magical Mary Poppins themed tea, which was one of the best days of my life to be honest! From that day on I knew that I had totally peeked in life and no matter where I went to eat from then on nothing could ever compare again. Oh brilliant. Now what?

Well Aqua Shard, being the wonderful company that they are seemed to take my huge distress on board and were super kind enought to create a new stunning summer menu, especially for Summers Holiyay, and as a way to lure me straight back. Well how about that for service?

Okay, I admit my imagination has gone into over drive. I know, I know, its not all about you Sammy.

The new stunning menu has actually been created to celebrate one of the most gorgeous events of the year… The Chelsea Flower Show!!!!!!!

Those creative clever clogs at Aqua Shard have brought together four of the most gorgeous things in life that every single person adores; flowers, tea, cocktails and cake.

And when you mix these dreamy combinations together…..well let me just tell you.. it is pure MAGIC!

From next Monday onwards, and lasting the duration of the whole summer (yippee) The Floral Five menu will be available to everyone dining at Aqua Shard,  with the selection paying homage to the floral delight of The Chelsea Flower Show and kicking off the summer season with a huge bang!

I was kindly invited to an exclusive preview of the menu today, and to say I was excited was an understatement. I practically ran all the way to the top of The Shard from Essex.

Well let me just tell you….I was not let down. The menu is truly scrumptious and absolutely to die for! Not only that but every single individual item is honestly so colourful, pretty and presented in the most stunning and creative way. The whole day I felt like I was in my own little flower meadow, feeling nothing but pure happiness.

THE FLORAL FIVE

So… what exactly does the the floral five mean I hear you cry?

Well, we all know….. five…. is the magic number. (Just go with it please) so on the menu you will find five unique and individual tea flavours, five delicious and mouth watering desserts, and five stylish and boujee cocktails.

Now you could be a little piggy like me and try all fifteen. (Strongly suggest this FYI)

But for those of you who aren’t in the Bruce Bogtrotter mood the brilliant concept of the menu means that the flavour tea you choose has its own dessert and cocktail with the same ingredients to compliment it.

Aqua Shard have worked with the fabulous team at Camellias Tea House to create five distinct tea blends, each featuring a unique and beautiful British flower. This brilliant company are pros at creating the most stunning flavours of tea which are individually blended by hand using their own original tea recipes. I was lucky enough to try all of the new teas on offer, whilst being guided by their tea expert Amanda who explained the ingredients and benfits behind each drink.

The five flavours that are on offer on the Floral Five menu taste just as dreamy as their descriptions and consist of:

• Blue Mallow (containing rose petal, rose hip and mallow flowers)
• Elderflower (with chickweed, nettle, elderflower, dandelion, marigold and rose buds)
• Lavender (with rose petal, bergamot and lavender)
• Marigold (with lemon grass, marigold and lemon peel)
• Rosebud (with ginger, liquorice and rosebud)

It was fascinating to learn about each individual tea, and all the hard work, creativity and dedication that goes into every cup to ensure they look and feel as unique and magical as possible.

And now is probably the time I should tell you guys my huge confession. Okay here goes- I am obsessed with tea, but stick to my PG Tips every single day. I KNOW I’m such a creature of habit and get scared venturing out, so until this day I would never have even considered buying a herbal tea. What a silly Summers.

I am so pleased that today I was given the opportunity to try such wonderful flavours because I am honestly converted and will never look back again. What the hell have I been waiting for??

The teas were all so delicious, without being too over powering, but the flavours really did shine through making each sip a wonderful adventure.

Oh and guys guess what I learnt today- if you really want the flavours of your tea to come through you need to loudly slurpppppp after each mouthful. Yes you heard that correctly. So here is my new motto…slurp till you burp. WHAT?? Don’t look at me like that, I was told by the professionals!!!

And now it’s time for me to tell you about the show stoppers, and my goodness Aqua Shard have really pulled out all of the stops with their floral themed cocktails.

With a choice between the Twilight, Solstice Spritz, Lavender Fields, Golden Blush and Rosy Fever I was the happiest little girly in the world.

They were all so divine and so much fun to drink, but my favourite one had to be the Golden Blush, with its red berry and lemon grass flavours giving me all of the summer feels.

They were all so beautifully displayed, I felt full on guilt for drinking them and spoiling the presentation. (That guilt very quickly turned to pure happiness).

Well you know that saying, save the best till last. And the desserts of dreams did not disappoint!

I stuffed my face with raspberry and rose shortbread, elderflower pannacotta, dark chocolate mousse with lavender ice cream, lime posset green tea sorbet and ginger cake with licorices ice cream. SIGH.

No I’m not crying, you are.

Aqua Shard one thing is for sure…if restaurants were flowers I would one million percent pick you every single time.

You have done it again and completely blown me away. I will forever be grateful for this wonderful day, thank you so so much!!!

Sammy xxx

The Floral Five Menu will be served from Monday 20th May throughout the summer, so to get a slice of the action you can book via the Aqua Shard website.

Disclaimer- I was kindly invited to review this menu.  This was a complimentary experience however all views and opinions are, as always, my own.

P.P.S I finally got to meet the wonderful Binny, Sima and Emma, after months of chatting online, which absolutely made my day and they were just so fabulous!