What Tea Goes with Shortbread? 5 Perfect Pairings

One of the most common questions I get is what tea goes with shortbread cookies (the quintessential tea time snack).

The short answer: shortbread pairs best with a tea that plays off the butter instead of burying it. For a classic, buttery shortbread, that means a brisk, malty black tea like a Scottish Breakfast, or a creamy Earl Grey when you want something more indulgent. For a strawberry shortbread, lean into a strawberry or bergamot blend so the fruit in the cookie has a partner.

Shortbread has been keeping tea company for a very long time. On a rainy afternoon in an Edinburgh tearoom, a pot of black tea and two fingers of shortbread was its own little ritual of my own. You can bring that same feeling home. Prepare a pot, plate a few bites, and let the steam do the slowing down for you.

Whether you are reaching for our Classic Shortbread Bites or the Strawberry Shortcake Shortbread Bites, here are the teas we pour when there is shortbread on the plate.

The best teas for classic, buttery shortbread

A plain, buttery bite does not need more sweetness. It needs a tea with enough backbone to cut through the butter and reset your palate between bites. These three each do that in their own way.

Heritage Blend Scottish Breakfast, the one shortbread was made for

Shortbread is Scottish, so it only seems right to pour it a Scottish Breakfast. Heritage Blend is brisk and malty with a drop of real Vermont maple, and that briskness is the whole point. It cuts through the butter where a sweeter tea would just pile on. Here is the tip worth keeping: for an afternoon tea and a good chat, set out shortbread, a couple wedges of manchego, and a pot of Heritage Blend. The malty tea and the nutty, salty cheese turn a plain bite into a savory-sweet spread you will want to linger over. Try Heritage Blend.

Creme Brulee Earl Grey, for a creamier afternoon

When you want the indulgent version, this is the creamiest of our Earl Greys, with bright bergamot and a soft vanilla custard note. The citrus keeps it from falling flat against the butter. Steep it strong, add a splash of milk, and a plain bite starts to taste like dessert. Try Creme Brulee Earl Grey.

Buttery Shortbread Herbal, for a cup with no clock

Caffeine-free and cookie-sweet on its own, this honeybush blend tastes like the shortbread it is named for. Save it for the evening, when you want the comfort without the caffeine. One quiet trick: crumble half a bite into the hot cup and let it soften, almost like a shortbread latte. Try Buttery Shortbread Herbal.

The best teas for strawberry shortbread

A strawberry shortbread has it's own built in flavor direction, so it loves a tea that meets it there. I love these two.

Gratitude Blend, for the strawberry lovers

A berry-forward black tea carried by the citrus of bergamot. Sipped alongside a strawberry bite, the two strawberries meet in the middle and the bergamot keeps things from tipping too sweet. Pour it over ice on a warm afternoon and it drinks like strawberry lemonade with a bite on the side. Try Gratitude Blend.

Strawberry Shortcake Black Tea, for the matching set

This one goes all the way into ripe, sun-warmed strawberry over a smooth black base. Pour a cup, open the bag, and you have strawberry shortcake in two forms on one tray. It brightens a classic bite too, if you want a little fruit with your butter. Try Strawberry Shortcake Black Tea.

Frequently asked questions

Is shortbread better with black tea or herbal tea?

Both work. A brisk black tea cuts through the butter and keeps each bite tasting fresh, while a caffeine-free herbal keeps things soft and easy for the evening. Let the time of day decide.

What tea goes with classic buttery shortbread?

A brisk, malty black tea like a Scottish Breakfast is the classic move, because it cuts the butter instead of adding more sweetness. A creamy Earl Grey works too when you want something more indulgent.

What tea goes with strawberry shortbread?

Reach for a strawberry or bergamot blend. Our Gratitude Blend and Strawberry Shortcake Black Tea both echo the fruit in the cookie, so the pairing feels intentional rather than sweet on sweet.

What can I serve with shortbread besides tea?

A wedge of firm, nutty cheese like manchego is a lovely partner. With a pot of malty black tea, shortbread and cheese make a simple savory-sweet spread for an afternoon with a friend.

Can you dunk shortbread in tea?

Yes, of course!  It's absolutely not uncivilized. 

Should I serve hot tea or iced tea?

Honestly, it's tea and shortbread - there's no wrong move, but I lean towards hot myself.

Do you add milk to the tea?

I do, but again, you pave your own road.

Ready to build your own tea and shortbread moment?

Pick your bite, our Classic Shortbread Bites or the Strawberry Shortcake Shortbread Bites, then choose a tea from above. If you are not sure which tea to pick, our Best Sellers Sampler lets you taste seven of our most-loved blends and find the pairing that is yours.