National Iced Tea Day is celebrated every year on June 10th, and it’s the perfect opportunity to indulge in one of the most refreshing and popular beverages of the summer season. Whether you prefer your iced tea sweetened or unsweetened, with or without lemon, this day is all about enjoying this delightful drink, experimenting with flavors, and creating your own custom iced tea concoctions.
A Brief History of Iced Tea
Iced tea may seem like a modern invention, but its roots can be traced back to the 1800s. Recipes for this chilled beverage have been found in cookbooks from as early as the 1870s, including the Buckeye Cookbook (1876) and Housekeeping in Old Virginia (1877). It is believed that iced tea began to gain widespread popularity in the United States during the 1860s, with hotels and railroad stations offering the drink on their menus.
The turning point for iced tea’s popularity came in 1904 when it was introduced at the World’s Fair in St. Louis. Tea plantation owner and merchant Richard Blechynden saw an opportunity to capitalize on the sweltering summer heat by offering fairgoers chilled tea instead of the traditional hot variety. This proved to be a hit, and iced tea rapidly became a beloved American beverage.
Celebrating National Iced Tea Day
There are countless ways to celebrate National Iced Tea Day, from enjoying a glass at your favorite restaurant to hosting an afternoon iced tea party with friends. Here are some ideas to help you make the most of this refreshing holiday:
Brew Your Own Iced Tea
Brewing your own iced tea is simple and allows you to customize the flavor to your liking. Add a squeeze of lemon, the juice of raspberries, lime, passion fruit, strawberry, or cherry to make your iced tea uniquely your own.
Try a New Recipe
Expand your iced tea horizons by trying a new recipe, such as Sweet Tea or Lemonade Tea. You can even experiment with unique iced tea concoctions like cucumber slices, coconut milk, cinnamon sticks, mango sorbet, or a splash of rum.
Host an Afternoon Iced Tea Party
Invite friends and family over for a National Iced Tea Day celebration. Set up an outdoor seating area, provide tall glasses and long stirring spoons, and serve a homemade tea dessert, like a delicious tea-infused cake or cookies.
Enjoy the Health Benefits of Iced Tea
Iced tea is not only a refreshing beverage but also a healthy one, packed with antioxidants that help fight disease. Green, black, and oolong teas all come from the same plant and contain equal amounts of these beneficial compounds.
Enter the Pure Leaf – National Iced Tea Day Sweepstakes
Duration: The Sweepstakes begins at approximately 9:00 AM Eastern Time (“ET”) on June 9, 2023, and ends at 11:59 PM ET on June 10, 2023.
Eligibility: To be eligible to participate and win a prize, participants must live in an area serviced by UPS in the 50 United States of America or D.C. and must meet other eligibility requirements, including being 18 years of age or older.
Entry Limit: Participants are limited to one entry per person, per email address, per Instagram account (if applicable).
Prizes: There are twenty-five (25) prizes available to be awarded in the Sweepstakes. Each prize consists of a National Iced Tea Kit containing two (2) bottles of Pure Leaf Iced Tea and one (1) set of Lab Grown, ½ ct., 14k White Gold Diamond Stud Earrings.
How to Enter: Participants can enter the Sweepstakes in three ways:
- Instagram: Comment on the Post by tagging a friend and using the hashtags #PureLeafIcedTeaDay and #GiveawayEntry. Then, click the link received via Direct Message on Instagram to complete the online registration form.
- Instagram Story: Post a story using the hashtags #PureLeafIcedTeaDay and #GiveawayEntry. Then, click the link received via Direct Message on Instagram to complete the online registration form.
- Direct Link: Access the online registration form directly at https://www.PureLeafIcedTeaDay.com/#start and complete the registration form.
Share Your National Iced Tea Day Celebrations on Social Media
While enjoying your iced tea, don’t forget to share your celebrations on social media using the hashtag #NationalIcedTeaDay. Show off your homemade iced tea creations, share your favorite recipes, or simply raise a glass to this beloved summer beverage.
The Legacy of National Iced Tea Day
As a nation, we’ve come a long way since Richard Blechynden’s innovative decision to serve cold tea at the 1904 World’s Fair. Today, iced tea accounts for about 85% of all tea consumed in the United States and can be found everywhere from restaurants and convenience stores to vending machines and grocery stores.
As we celebrate National Iced Tea Day, let’s raise a glass to this timeless beverage and the countless ways it brings people together. Cheers!
