How to Host a Modern Iced Tea Party This Summer!

Don’t just throw an ordinary tea party this year! Make it a modern iced tea party with a Southern, country-rustic, or even tropical flair. We’ll show you how to pull off this event with decorating inspiration from some awesome blogs, stylish beverage serve ware finds, plus yummy flavored teas and food recipes to choose from. Best of all, an iced tea party means you won’t have to spend hours in the kitchen to prepare the drinks because cold brew teas are all the rage this summer, too! (*this post update contains affiliate links)

Inspiration for the Beverage Station

Depending on your venue and the occasion you’re celebrating, your iced tea party can revolve around quite a variety of themes. Just see these 5 fabulous iced tea bars or stations we found!

Take a cue from the summer drink station trend, offering up a variety of fruity tea blends like Peach Moscato Punch, Strawberry Kiwi tea, and Lady Liberty tea (1). Chalkboard labels on mini easels and a vase of cheery flowers make the perfect decorative touches.

For a country-themed event, perhaps held outdoors in a farm yard or a fruit orchard, even a single dispenser of Southern sweet iced tea (2) will be an appealing sight—especially atop a display stand as eye-catching as this wooden whiskey chest!

A cozy garden soiree looks lovely in lavender (3) or any other color choice, as long as you keep it focused. Here a selection of Lavender Iced Tea, Blackberry Sage Iced Tea, Lemon Water, and Blackberry Orange Wine Spritzer are presented in large glass dispensers—with rows of “mason jar” glasses at the ready.

If you’re going for a Southern-style gathering (4), the iconic sweet tea of the South is prettiest served in graceful pitchers set out on a vintage sideboard, laid with a dainty lace doily and an arrangement of fresh blooms.

Finally, for a casual backyard bash this summer (5), see how inviting an iced tea station can be with just two giant, vintage-style dispensers labeled “sweet T” and “un-sweet T.” Just add bunches of wildflowers in colorful bottles and you’re set to party!

Credits: 1 – Place of My Taste / 2 – The Perfect Details / 3 – My Healthy Happy Home / 4 – Cedarwood Weddings / 5 – Semper Signature Events

Your Serve Ware & Supplies Shopping List:

Pitchers are a great way to serve up a variety of teas, while dispensers are the practical choice for offering just one or two kinds of tea to a large crowd.

Glasses for guests to fill (and refill!) themselves should be stylish, too. Along with festive accents, such as decorative straws, stirrers and cocktail napkins in summery neon colors. Here are some of our picks for a modern iced tea party!

1 – Medium Infusion Tea Pitcher by Teavana from Amazon
2 – Mario Glass Pitcher, from World Market
3 – Party Essentials 2-Ply Paper Cocktail Beverage Napkins, Assorted Neon Brights, 48-Count from Amazon
4 – Outset Silicone Hexagon Ice Cube Tray, Large Cubes from Amazon
5 – Gold Metallic Striped Drinking Paper Straws, Biodegradable via Amazon
6 – Luigi Bormioli Strauss High Ball Glass, 9-Ounce via Amazon
7 – Buddeez Unbreakable 3-1/2-Gallon Beverage Dispenser with Removable Ice-Cone via Amazon

Suggested Teas to Serve:

See our selection of tea finds below! They’ve each got a summery, fruity flavor. For a tropical look, add garnishes like pineapple chunks or slices of passion fruit, kiwi, and mango.

Serve these teas without sugar. Let guests add their own sweeteners: sugar, agave syrup, honey, as well as sugar-free options. Offer 2 or 3 creamers, too. These can be flavored creamers and condensed milk. For those who want some alcohol options, consider infusing the tea with liqueurs, sparkling wines, and alcoholic syrups.

These product links will lead you to Amazon:

1 – Twinings Cold Brew Tea, English Classic, 20 Count Bagged Tea
2 – Stash Tea Mango Passionfruit Herbal Tea, 20 Count Tea Bags in Foil
3 – Celestial Seasonings Tropical Fruit Cool Brew Herbal Tea Bags, 40 ct
4 – The Republic Of Tea Organic Pineapple Coconut Water Iced Tea Pouches, 8 Quarts / 8 Large Iced Tea Pouches
5 – Cold Brew Tea – Mango 3oz Tin with Large Wire Mesh Tea Ball
6 – Golden Moon Tea – Coconut Pouchong Tea – Loose Leaf – Non GMO – 1.3oz Tin – 16 Servings

Scrumptious Finger Foods with Ethnic Flavors

Give your iced tea party a truly modern twist in the food choices. No traditional tea sandwiches or cookies here! Instead, think tasty finger foods with ethnic, tropical or Asian flavors. Perfect with tea! (Just click on each link for the recipe.)

1 – Thai shrimp spring rolls – recipe from Going My Wayz
2 – Hawaiian bbq sliders – recipe from Nosh and Nourish
3 – Chicken satay skewers – recipe from Rasa Malaysia
4 – Smoked salmon and avocado sushi rolls – recipe from Bonjour Health.com
5 – Tortilla chips with fresh mango and tomato salsa dip – recipe from Best Health
6 – Pineapple coconut bars – recipe from Bare Feet in the Kitchen
7 – Ginger and mango eclairs – recipe from Good Food.com
8 – Pandan chiffon cake – recipe (video) from Kitchen Tigress

UPDATE (20 May 2019)

As temperatures begin to rise, we couldn’t help but revisit this Iced Tea Party post. See what new finds we’ve added to help you host a truly thirst-quenching summer gathering! (*this post update contains affiliate links)

Tea Recipes with Less Sugar, More Flavor

Let fruit infusions sweeten your favorite flavored iced tea brews naturally! Here are some enticing concoctions to try.

1. Salted Caramel Green Iced Tea – from Twinings
2. Lady Grey Lime Cooler – from Twinings
3. Peach Oolong Iced Tea – from Adagio
4. Pineapple Iced Tea – from Torani
5. Guava Iced Tea – from Torani
6. Very Berry Iced Tea – from Betty Crocker

Easy Make-ahead Appetizers from Savory to Sweet

Iced tea is such a versatile pairing for flavorful food. So, why not take this chance to serve some out-of-the-ordinary appetizers with Asian to Mediterranean influences?

1. Southeast Asian Egg Rolls – recipe by Emeril’s
2. Easy Shrimp Tacos – recipe from McCormick
3. Bourbon BBQ Meatballs – recipe from Anolon
4. Empanadas from Bellenza’s Havana Styled Shoot
5. Melon and Prosciutto Skewers – recipe from Simply Delicious Food
6. Homemade Sushi – recipe from Fifteen Spatulas
7. Easy Vegan Bruschetta – recipe from The Spruce Eats

Supplies for Making Iced Tea for a Crowd

You can mix up this summer party beverage in big batches for a large guest list. Especially if you have the right supplies (like these finds via Amazon) to let you serve it like a pro!

1. Cork Coasters – 4 Inches (Set of 10)
2. 3-Gallon Unbreakable Beverage Dispenser
3. Novelty Italian Highball Glasses [Set of 6] (13 Ounce)
4. Lemon/Lime Slicer, White
5. Southern Sweet Iced Tea Linen Cocktail Napkins
6. Framed Chalkboard Place Cards and Stand

This post contains affiliate links. You can find our disclosure statement here.