couple drinking glasses of iced tea on porch swing
When all Mama really wants on Mother’s Day is to be surrounded by her favorite people, skip the crowded restaurants and create something more personal – a heartfelt Southern tea party that brings everyone together.
Imagine pitchers of iced sweet tea flowing, canapés and cakes on the table, old photos being passed around, and laughter in the air. A tea party can be casual or elegant, and located on the porch, in the garden, in the living room or around the kitchen table. No matter the style or setting, it’s a joyful way to celebrate the woman who’s poured so much love into her family.
Start with pitchers of classic Southern sweet tea and some fruit-infused iced teas – the perfect accompaniment to canapés and tea sandwiches. It’s a great time to trot out the family china with pots of hot tea, too, to go with tea cakes and other desserts. Garnish to impress with herbs, lemon and edible flowers, and choose some special milks and sweeteners.
Southern Style Sweet Tea
Refreshing Strawberry Iced Tea
Blackberry Sweet Tea
Green Tea With Honey Ginger Fizz
Lavender Sugar Cubes
Southern tea parties need flowers, tablecloths and pretty dishes. Layer a floral tablecloth, set out some nice plates, and create the mood with candles and fresh blooms. You’ll surely get bonus points from Mama for dusting off the heirloom china.
Our Sweet Tea Lemon Pound Cake is a show-stopper for any tea party, and these traditional savory bites and sweet treats from Southern pantry staples Blue Plate® Mayo and Swans Down® Cake Flour are all you need to round out a tea party menu.
Pimento Cheese Toasties
Cucumber and Watercress Tea Sandwiches
Benedictine Tea Sandwiches
Dill Pickle Deviled Eggs
Shrimp Remoulade Deviled Eggs
Smoked Chicken Salad
Sweet Tea Lemon Pound Cake
Lady Baltimore Cake
Ahead of time, start a scrapbook and ask each guest to do a page, with photos and anecdotes related their memories and experiences of Mama. Or invite everyone to write a handwritten note to Mama – to share a favorite memory, a word of thanks, or a funny story – and stack them in a little basket for her to read with her tea.
The best part of a Southern tea party? There is no rush. Keep the tea pitchers iced, keep the kettle hot, and give Mama time to sip slowly while enjoying the flavors, the memories, and every second of being celebrated.
When it comes to tea parties, Southerners have high standards. For more than 100 years, they have reached for Luzianne as the refreshment of choice. Whether enjoyed iced or hot, all Luzianne Tea is specially blended to be crystal clear and fresh tasting to the last sip.