Ways to Serve Hot Tea

The Southern Tradition of Serving Tea

Serving tea has been the center of Southern hospitality since… well, forever! Iced tea is always a signature sip, but a pot of hot tea offers its own kind of good times – from a kitchen-table gathering to a sit-down tea party at a long table on the porch or lawn.

  • Get brewing: Toss a few individual bags (or a family size bag) of Original Luzianne Tea (a classic black tea made with orange pekoe and pekoe cut black tea leaves), Luzianne Green Tea or Luzianne Hibiscus Tea in a teapot with just-boiled water, let it brew for a few minutes, and pour it into Mawmaw’s fancy tea cups or any old mugs.
  • Serve it your way: For down time or social occasions, hot tea is on the menu, with help from these serving ideas and suggestions.

A selection of sweeteners and garnishes laid out for a tea party, including cane sugar, agave syrup, honey and honeycomb, flavor infused sugar cubes, fresh mint leaves, sliced lemon, orange and lime, edible flowers, cinnamon sticks.Ways to Sweeten Hot Tea

We’re not shy about sweetness in the South. There are plenty of ways to customize your cup.

  • Honey – Local honey is a Southern favorite. Wildflower, orange blossom and clover honeys add their own sweet character to  any kind of tea.
  • Cane Sugar & Brown Sugar – Cane sugar brings clean sweetness, while brown sugar and turbinado add warm caramel notes.
  • Flavored Sugar Cubes – Infuse homemade sugar cubes with orange zest, lavender or rose petals for a charming teatime touch.
  • Flavored Syrups – Peach, strawberry, vanilla, or pecan syrups add a Southern flair. Stir a spoonful into any kind of hot tea.
  • Alternative Sweeteners – Agave, monk fruit, stevia, and coconut sugar offer sweet options for guests with low-calorie preferences.

What About Milk?

Drinking hot tea with milk and sugar is a tradition brought over to America from England. Just a splash of any milk (or milk alternative) in your cup will do – and it’s delicious, so if you’ve only ever had hot tea with lemon, it’s something to try.

Creative Garnishes for Hot Tea

A simple garnish can make tea feel extra special.

  • Fresh Fruit: Lemon wheels, peach slices, or orange wedges
  • Fresh Herbs: Mint, lemon verbena, or thyme
  • Edible Flowers: Hibiscus, lavender, or rose petals
  • Cinnamon Sticks: For a touch of warm spice

The Best Hot Teas for Southern Hospitality

When serving guests, variety is always welcome. Each kind of tea provides a different base for sweeteners, garnishes and seasonal twists.