Fortnum's x Tell Camellia
An unlikely tale of tea
tradition and craft cocktails.
It might seem an impossible task to bring together over 300 years of Fortnum’s tea heritage and contemporary cocktail artistry. Until now…
Named one of Asia’s 50 Best Bars three years in a row and known for their innovation and storytelling, Tell Camellia began its story in Hong Kong in 2019 when Master Mixologist Gagan Gurung, recognised as a pioneer in the industry, combined his expertise in tea tradition and mixology to create something truly unique.
“I wanted to create a space where the ancient art of tea could meet contemporary cocktail culture. Every drink should tell a story, honoring traditions while pushing boundaries.”
Gagan Gurung
With craftsmanship, innovation, and tea (naturally) at the very heart of Fortnum’s, we’re thrilled to be collaborating with Tell Camellia. With our shared passions and ambitions uniting us, Tell Camellia have created a beautiful suite of four tea-infused cocktails – Lapsang South, Tea Time, Merrycha and Tea Sea – each using one of Fortnum’s famous blends and designed to pair perfectly with the flavour profiles of our iconic Afternoon Tea menus. Tell Camellia’s meticulous attention to detail turns the tender leaves into rich tea liqueur, creating unique flavors that with each sip tell the story of their origin, terroir, and the artisanal processing that brings out the best in every leaf.
If that’s left you reaching for the cocktail shaker, come and sample a taste of this most delicious collaboration with an Afternoon Tea of your choosing at 181 Hong Kong from 7th November until 31st December 2025. Of course, we couldn’t pass up the opportunity to bring a piece of Hong Kong over to our Diamond Jubilee Tea Salon at Piccadilly where you can enjoy the delights of the Merrycha cocktail with our High Tea, available from 4th November until 31st December 2025.
Read on to discover more about each of these tea-inspired cocktails…
Ingredients: Fortnum’s Lapsang Souchong Tea, Butterfly Pea Flower, Lemon, Pineapple, Gin
Available: 181 Hong Kong
About Lapsang Souchong:
A bold Chinese black tea, famous for its smoky aroma and taste. The leaves are traditionally smoke-dried over pinewood fires, giving it a distinctive campfire character.
Gagan’s Inspiration:
"Lapsang tea has always been one of our favourite teas to experiment with - its bold, smoky and leathery character never fails to surprise and intrigue our guests. The inspiration for this cocktail came from a dish that paired toasted pineapple with smoky elements. That unexpected harmony sparked the idea: by simply mixing Lapsang tea with pineapple, we could create a cocktail that is both familiar and daring, delivering depth, aroma, and a touch of the unexpected."
Ingredients: Fortnum’s Royal Blend Tea, Centrifuge Raspberry Juice, Oats & Honey, Vodka
Available: 181 Hong Kong
About Royal Blend:
A classic since 1902, created for King Edward VII. This smooth, honeyed blend of Assam and Ceylon teas offers a rich, malty flavor with a subtle sweetness.
Gagan’s Inspiration:
"We set out to capture the essence of breakfast in a glass much like a breakfast martini, but with a more tea-forward approach. By blending fresh raspberry with oats and honey,we brought that vision to life in the most comforting and refined way. It's not just acocktail—it’s our elegant take on a hangover cure, reimagined through the lens of tea."
Ingredients: Fortnum’s Christmas Tea, Marmalade, Salted Butter Popcorn, Chai, Dark Rum
Available: 181 Hong Kong & The Diamond Jubilee Tea Salon, London (please note, in the UK, the Merrycha is paired with the Savoury Afternoon Tea Menu)
About Christmas Tea:
A festive black tea infused with warming spices of cloves, cinnamon, and orange peel. Aromatic and cosy, perfect for festive gatherings and seasonal cheer.
Gagan’s Inspiration:
"The inspiration for this cocktail came from our favourite holiday moments: cosy nights, classic Christmas films, and the warm aroma of spiced treats and buttered popcorn. We wanted to bottle that festive nostalgia into a glass. By combining Fortnum’s Christmas Tea with mandarin marmalade, spiced dark rum, and a hint of salted popcorn, we created a playful yet elegant drink that captures the magic of the season. It’s a little holiday movie moment served over ice."
Ingredients: Fortnum’s Genmaicha Tea, Brown Rice, Clarified Yuzu, Oyster Gin
Available: 181 Hong Kong
About Genmaicha Tea:
A Japanese green tea blended with roasted brown rice. Light, nutty, and slightly savoury, it’s a comforting and balanced infusion with a toasty finish.
Gagan’s Inspiration:
"The inspiration came from our (Tell Camellia) pursuit of umami flavours that complement savoury food. In our exploration, we discovered that the balance of Genmaicha tea and Oyster Gin naturally harmonised with these flavours. It was a happy coincidence that led us to this unique yet surprisingly delicious combination."
Inspiration
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