It’s exactly the kind of January news we need.

If you’re persevering with your January diet of sawdust and gruel, there’s a light at the end of the tunnel this afternoon; The Imperial Hotel just unveiled a brand new afternoon tea menu and it is the stuff of a sugar addict’s dreams.

The new ‘Once Upon a Tea Time’ menu (€29 per person) is inspired by some of the Imperial Hotel’s most well-known guests.

There’s the handmade Princess Grace pastry, an elegant pistachio crust choux with raspberry gel and pistachio disk and the Maureen O’Hara, a strawberry macaroon ruby whipped chocolate ganache.

These are served on a tower that also features the Michael Collins’, a cocoa berry chocolate mousse with espresso and Midleton Rare Irish Whiskey, and the Charles Dickens’ Banana Loaf.

The savoury selection is mouthwatering too; expect cold smoked Irish salmon and fresh dill served on Doty’s Brown Bread, an Ardsallagh Goats Cheese tartlet, Hereford beef with rocket and horseradish on a brioche bun and refreshing cucumber and yoghurt on O’Keeffe’s Loaf.

The finger sandwich selection is complemented by freshly made raisin scones, served with Irish butter and jams and the menu is served alongside an extensive selection of black, white, green and red teas, all specially sourced to accompany the menu.

Adventurous tea drinkers can choose from smokey and tart Indian, Chinese, and Japanese blends, Imperial Earl Grey and Rooibos Vanilla teas, while freshly ground Alfredo coffee and hot chocolate are available for non-tea drinkers.

‘We hope it will capture the imagination’

“Here at the Imperial Hotel, we’re very proud of our unique history and the many tales we have from guests that have come to stay with us over the years.” says Bastien Peyraud, General Manager of the Imperial Hotel.

“Some of those have inspired a new ‘Once Upon a Tea Time’ menu that we hope will capture the imagination and offer an enjoyable way to spend a couple of hours with family and friends, while being well looked after by our hospitality team.”

Bookings for the ‘Once Upon a Tea Time’ experience are available from January 20th and need to be made 24 hours in advance. Call 021 4274040 or email: pembroke@imperialhotelcork.ie to make a reservation.