Boozy Is As Boozy Does Indulge By Virgin Hotels @VirginHotelsChi Share Share On Facebook Share On Twitter Share on LinkedIn Pinkies out, our loves! At Virgin Hotels Chicago, we like to turn things upside down and have a little fun. Ever wanted to throw your own ‘Boozy Tea Party’ at home? Here are some tips to hosting your own “Upside Down Tea Party” that would make Alice in Wonderland green with envy. THE MOOD Save the stuffiness for the dinner parties. Boozy tea time should be elegant and delicious yet enjoyable – off-beat if you may, darling. This should be an afternoon party first and foremost, with sweets, tea, tasty small finger bites and definitely a dash of booze. Think big Derby hats, bright sundresses, plenty of selfies and Instagrammable moments. Make sure to keep the champagne flowing! THE DÉCOR We’re all about finding a reason to celebrate at Virgin Hotels Chicago. Birthdays, bridal showers, bachelorette parties, Galentine’s Day or any milestone celebrations. Nothing says let’s celebrate like oversized metallic balloons. Try heading to your local farmer’s market and pick up a few bouquets of your favorite petals for a fresh and vibrant feel. The brighter, the better. Funky mix and match plates, tea pot and tea cups, tablecloths, custom or colorful napkins, drink stirrers and paper straws (eco-friendly of course) scream P-A-R-T-Y! Upbeat music will help set the tone. Make a lively playlist of your favorite tunes. THE BOOZE Signature cocktails help create a delightful and personalized event. Of course, we prefer drinks with a little extra panache – enter adult beverages. Large batch cocktails (think pitchers and punch bowls) can be made in advance for easy hostess-ing. Some of our faves include Pimms Cup, Paloma, Strawberry Margaritas, French 75s and Rose Sangria. Serve out of champagne flutes or tea cups. Remember, bubbly’s makes life a bit sweeter. Champagne toasts and champagne cocktails are what dreams are made of. Set up a self-serve mimosa bar with fresh juices and champagne. Have fun with personalized signs and cheeky drink names. Side note, we could really use a mimosa right now. THE FOOD More elegant than a bag of chips! The perfect complement to any tea party is the variety of food and sweets. We prefer bite sized, mini cute and playful. Make your food ahead of time and set out on the table for your guests to see when they arrive. Limited space, no problem – display your food on tiered trays and towers. Scones are traditionally served at tea parties, but you can add tasty accompaniments like yuzu curd, Marionberry jam, honey and whipped ricotta. Tea sandwiches are also a classic favorite, but you can mix it up with unique flavors like curried chicken salad, lox and cream cheese and avocado toast. If you’re like us, you love dessert. Chocolate truffles, French macarons and mini fruit tarts can be made from scratch or picked up from your local bakery. Cheese and charcuterie are also crowd-pleasing finger foods. So, there you have it, time to throw the tea party of the century! Just remember, no tea party is complete without a boozy, tea-infused cocktail. Cheers!