Menu: The Jane Austen Society
Transport yourself into the world of The Jane Austen Society with a menu inspired by the charm and elegance of an English afternoon tea. Picture a sunny day in a blooming garden, birds chirping nearby, and friends gathered around the table. On the menu: delicate finger sandwiches, earl grey shortbread, and plenty of tea to keep the conversation flowing.
Drinks
Start your tea party with a bit of sparkle. This Jane Austen–inspired gin and lavender cocktail from The Vegan Atlas combines floral lavender syrup with bubbly rosé for a fresh, fragrant sip.
Appetizers
Start with something Jane Austen herself might have nibbled on. Bath buns, originally created by 18th-century physician William Oliver, were a popular treat in Austen’s time. Dr. Oliver later swapped them out for a lighter version called Bath Olivers, but we’re leaning into the indulgence here. You can find a great bath bun recipe on The Spruce Eats if you’re in the mood to bake. Or, if you’d rather skip the oven, put together a charming charcuterie plate with your favorite cheeses, cured meats, fresh fruit, and a handful of store-bought crackers. Easy, elegant, and always a hit.
Salad
For something fresh and simple, toss together a spring salad with mixed greens, sliced radishes, peas, and chopped hard-boiled eggs. Add whatever else is in season or already in your fridge. This one is meant to be flexible. A bright dijon vinaigrette from Food and Wine pulls it all together with just the right amount of tang.
Main
Indulge in classic finger sandwiches with Belly Rumbles’ recipe, or swap in tuna if that’s more your style. Want something a little lighter? Try the cucumber sandwich bites from Craving Home Cooked. Just layer deli-cut roast beef, turkey, pastrami, and provolone cheese between two crisp cucumber slices for a fresh, low-carb twist.
Dessert
For the grand finale, brew a pot of hot tea and serve it alongside Sift and Simmer’s chocolate-dipped earl grey shortbread cookies. These fragrant, buttery bites are perfect for pairing. Add a few dark chocolate–covered coconut bites from A Sweet Peach Chef to round things out with something rich and satisfying.
We hope this menu brought you back to 1940s Chawton, where you could imagine sharing a table with Adeline, Mimi, and the rest of the Jane Austen Society. Their story is a reminder of how books can open hearts, spark connections, and bring people together when they need it most.
