From Pitchers to Pampering: Celebrating International Tea Day 2025
A Southern Tribute to Sweet Tea on International Tea Day
May 21st is International Tea Day, and here in the South, there’s one tea that reigns supreme: sweet tea. More than just a refreshing beverage, sweet tea is a cultural icon served on front porches, at family reunions, and just about every gathering. When the sun hangs high and the humidity sets in, there’s one thing that brings comfort to Southerners like no other, a tall, icy glass of sweet tea. It’s more than just a drink, it’s a way of life. As we celebrate International Tea Day on May 21, 2025, we’re tipping our hats (and our tea glasses) to one of our favorite Southern traditions and inviting you to indulge in the relaxing comfort of Thorn Ridge’s Bath Tea Soaks. So, let’s take a look at how sweet tea became a Southern staple—and how you can celebrate International Tea Day by turning your bath into a relaxing getaway.
The Story of Sweet Tea
The story of sweet tea is steeped in Southern charm and old-world tradition. Sweet tea’s journey to iconic Southern status starts long before drinking it out of mason jars and front porch rocking chairs. Tea itself dates back thousands of years to ancient China, but it wasn’t until the 1700s that it made its way to the American colonies. Initially a luxury item, tea was enjoyed hot and unsweetened, often by the elite. The first printed recipe for sweetened iced tea appeared in 1879 in a cookbook called Housekeeping in Old Virginia. It called for green tea, lots of sugar, and ice, which was a luxury in the days before refrigeration. The American South’s version of sweet tea began to emerge in the 19th century. Back then, using green tea was more popular because it was more readily available, and early iced tea recipes often used it instead of the black tea we associate with sweet tea today. After World War II, trade disruptions made black tea more accessible, and its rich, robust flavor took hold across the country, especially in the South. As ice became more accessible, sweet tea became a Southern signature. By the early 20th century iced black tea had become a staple at Southern gatherings, from garden parties to church socials.
But why sweet tea?
In the South, where hospitality reigns and comfort is king, sweet tea became more than refreshment, it became a cultural symbol of warmth and welcome. Over time, the recipe for Southern Sweet Tea was perfected: steeped black tea, an unapologetic amount of sugar, and a generous helping of ice, often offered with a cut lemon wedge placed on the rim of the glass. Whether served in a jelly jar or crystal glass, sweet tea is always made and poured with love. Over time, sweet tea became more than just a drink, it became a symbol of Southern hospitality. Whether you’re offered a tall glass at grandma’s kitchen table or a plastic cup at a party, sweet tea always says: “Welcome, stay a while.”
Bath Tea Soaks: A New Tradition for International Tea Day
At Thorn Ridge, we believe rituals should nourish both body and spirit. That’s why we created our Bath Tea Soaks. While you sip tea to soothe your soul, you can soak in a tub with our products to calm your body with a spa-like experience. While black tea itself isn’t an ingredient, the contents are held together within a reusable premium sheer white organza drawstring tea bag. This allows the salts to dissolve into the water while containing all of the other premium ingredients inside the bag so there's no additional cleanup. If you want to keep the organza bag, just dump the contents, wash the bag and let it dry. Then you can use it to hold other things.
Our bath teas are handcrafted with care, using time-honored ingredients to create a luxurious bathing experience like:
- Himalayan salt
- Epsom Salt
- Sea Salt
- Rolled Oats
- Rose Petal
- Lavender buds
- Peppermint
- Essential Oils
Each bath tea bag is a beautiful combination of salts and other ingredients, and ready to steep in your bathtub, just like a real cup of tea. Drop it in the tub, let the water draw out all the goodness and scents, and breathe deeply. It’s your own Southern spa moment.
Steep Yourself in Southern Comfort
This International Tea Day, why not celebrate with more than a beverage? Here are a few ideas:
- Sip a cold glass of homemade sweet tea on the porch
- Sink into a hot bath with a Thorn Ridge Bath Tea Soak and take a glass of sweet tea with you to sip while you soak.
- Take a moment for yourself, the same way you’d take a moment to enjoy a good cup of tea
- Share the ritual with a friend—our bath tea soaks make thoughtful gifts
At Thorn Ridge, we believe that self-care can be soulful, natural, and deeply connected to tradition. Just as sweet tea has brought generations together, our bath tea soaks offer a new way to steep in comfort—inside and out. Whether you’re toasting with a mason jar, drinking tea at a party, or sipping a glass of sweet tea while unwinding in a warm tub, tea has a way of bringing people back to themselves.
