On Saturday, 13th December, I attended the Artisan Infusions Retro Glam Tea Soirée (Second Edition) at Choate Boutique Hotel, on behalf of SatisfashionUG. The event, hosted by Siima Ainembabazi, was a refined celebration of tea, thoughtfully curated, immersive, and refreshingly different.
For this edition, Artisan Infusions partnered with Moët & Chandon and the Whittard of Chelsea Signature Cocktail Collection. While these were the partners for the day, Siima shared her desire to collaborate with more alcohol brands in future editions, using tea as a versatile, inclusive alternative within social spaces.
The Vision Behind Artisan Infusions
Siima’s love for tea is deeply rooted. As a member of Whittard of Chelsea, she views the brand as a benchmark for quality and excellence. Her long-term vision is to produce tea of a similar standard in Uganda, addressing the current gap in quality standards within the local tea industry.
She spoke passionately about her vision for Uganda’s tea industry: “I want Ugandan tea growers to experience the final product of what they cultivate, not just export raw leaves. My goal is to grow the industry locally and redefine tea as something extraordinary, not just a daily drink, but an experience.”
— Siima Ainembabazi
She also hopes to shift long-standing perceptions, encouraging people to see tea as a drink for everyone, not just women. Whether as an option at bars for non-alcohol drinkers or a lifestyle choice for vegans, tea is positioned as versatile, social, and expressive. Artisan Infusions proudly stands as the first supplier of this kind of tea in Uganda and across Africa.
The Tea Tasting Experience
Guests were treated to four tea flavours during the event, although Artisan Infusions currently offers around 50 varieties. The teas are simple to prepare, yet layered in flavour and presentation.
The tasting began with Mulled Wine, a festive blend with warm Christmas notes that can be enjoyed both hot and cold. Guests were invited to guess the flavour, with one attendee with the first correct guess winning a care package.
This was followed by Dream Time, a caffeine-free blend with soft notes of apricot, honey, vanilla, chamomile, lemon, and lavender, calming and well-balanced.
The first cold brew of the afternoon was Turkish Apple, a refreshing, vegan-friendly tea made with citric acid, apple, and blackberry leaves.
The tasting concluded with Ice Cream, with notes of coffee and a nutty almond base, also suitable for vegans and coffee lovers alike. This was my personal favourite.
Thoughtfully Curated Bites & Impeccable Service
The experience was further elevated by a well-curated menu of little bites, thoughtfully arranged across different serving stations. The menu was designed to complement the tea tasting without overpowering it.
The team at Choate Boutique Hotel truly outdid themselves. Service was seamless and attentive, with fresh, clean glasses and cups provided for every new tea flavour, allowing each tea to be enjoyed in its purest form.
My personal experience
From a personal perspective, the intimate number of attendees made the experience feel exclusive and quietly luxurious, allowing every guest to be fully present. The teas themselves were entirely new to me and unlike anything I have previously experienced. One blend, the Mulled Wine, carried a nostalgic warmth; its aroma reminded me of oats. Towards the end, Siima invited me to try another tea, a blend infused with bourbon and lemon. Finally, I appreciated how guests fully embraced the vintage glamour theme; the fashion choices were thoughtful and elevated the overall mood of the event.
Altogether, the Artisan Infusions Retro Glam Tea Soirée was a beautifully executed experience, one that brought together fashion, flavour, and storytelling. It redefined tea as something social, stylish, and luxurious, leaving guests inspired and already anticipating the third edition.
