The Libations Librarian

Taking a break from my regularly scheduled beer posting to extol the virtues of a lovely new tea shop in Providence, Rhode Island, called Ceremony Tea.

I fully embrace the coffee-drinking members of the world; however, as much as I love everything about coffee – the smell, the flavor, and the caffeine bliss – the acid DESTROYS my stomach. Every. Single. Time. Therefore, I get my early morning fix from tea. My default flavor is Earl Grey because, after all, who can’t use a little bergamot in the morning? I will accept any form of black tea, generally speaking. You may ask, “What about green tea?” Green tea does not push my buttons, as to me, it tastes like cut grass smells. Not the way I want to wake up in the morning!

My spouse and I walked into this little gem to find a den of Zen happiness. The day – cold & raw, with snow on the horizon. Our attitude required warmth and comfort to get through what promised to be a looooong commute back to our homestead in the Frozen North. We entered a newly renovated storefront with delicious offerings! We, oddly, both chose the “tea cappuccino”, something new on our menus. Delicious! Warm, fragrant black tea met beautifully frothed milk which soothed our souls. I had only 3 suggestions: the tea should be slightly warmer, the lids should fit more snugly, and the prices should be lower…..

Ceremony offers something new! A mocktail menu! All items are non-alcoholic (I know what you all are thinking, but even I don’t imbibe ALL the time!) and are served at a “happy hour”. I actually wanted to try the Mr. Lawrence, but the Tearista (get it??) gently but enthusiastically told me the drinks on the specialty menu were only served after a certain hour. The happy hour starts at 4 pm! HOW FUN IS THAT??

I know the Brown Daily Herald recently published a piece on the state of affairs on Thayer Street. I did some checking online regarding this shop and it doesn’t appear to be part of a chain. Independent businesses need foot traffic in order to stay alive – here’s hoping the big, sterile, chain (the coffee store who must not be named) company across the street from Ceremony allows this small, blissful place to find a niche in the community.