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A Teamaker's Guide to Entertaining

Apr 29, 2025
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At Smith we spend our gray Portland winters looking out the window and waiting for one magical season: Spring. When magnolias and cherry blossoms start to bloom overhead it means it’s time to get serious about relaxing. From the English tea party to a contemplative gaiwan service or even just a few glasses of iced tea on the porch after a long morning in the garden. Tea has always been an invitation to slow down and share something delicious with someone you love.

Chase Away April Showers with a Tea Party

Finger sandwiches and sweet delights paired with cups of delicious whole leaf tea are classic for a reason. The last grasp of spring gloom is the perfect excuse to break out the china and throw a tea party.Β Β 

Choose a brew you and your guests will love. Traditionalists may reach for a cup of bold British Brunch but we also love our Jasmine Nectar as a refreshing and unique spring quaffer. Consider trying a tea from a region you’re not familiar with or a varietal you’ve never heard of to invite education and experimentation to the table.

Looking to prep ahead? Create a concentrate of the hot tea by using about half the water total to brew. Top up with boiling water when your guests arrive for peak freshness.

Make Your Tea Accoutrement Meaningful

Steaming your guest’s milk of choice and serving in a small pitcher keeps the tea warmer and adds a decadent twist.

Sourcing a local honey gives an extra spring lift to your tea while supporting local pollinators for an addition that will get you buzzing.

Some guests may enjoy a slice of lemon with their tea. Consider using Meyer lemons for their floral and lightly sweet scent.

Brew Some Sunshine with Refreshing Iced Teas

Nothing quite hits the spot like a cool glass of iced tea on a warm day. From tropical oasis to refreshing herbals our iced teas are sure to put you in the mood for sun.

Prep ahead for maximum relaxation. Smith iced teas are prepared using hot water to create a concentrate then topped with cool water. Once prepared we recommend keeping your iced tea covered at room temperature. Start your iced teas alongside your wake up cup and let the excitement steep all day.

Looking to Impress a Crowd?

Fresh edible flowers like borage nasturtiums and lavender can be used as a seasonal garnish to your iced teas for an extra garden party lift.

For a bit of sweetness, you can prepare a simple syrup ahead of time by boiling equal parts water and sugar for a sweet addition to iced teas that will mix perfectly each time.

Iced teas can be used to make colorful and refreshing ice cubes. Simply brew the iced tea concentrate and pour into an ice tray. Freeze overnight and add to lemonade for a cool twist on the golf course classic.

Cake with swirls of white frosting, honey and orange zest on top next to a box of Meadow herbal infusion on a countertop.

Elevate Your Dessert Table with Tea

Of course no gathering is complete without a sweet treat. Combining everyone’s favorite beverage with everyone’s favorite meal? There’s no such thing as too much of a good thing.

Bring tea-infused treats to your table. Try using Masala Chai in a chocolate chip or snickerdoodle cookie to turn a classic cookie into a spicy conversation starter your guests will love. Herbal teas can get in on the party too! Chamomile makes a fruity addition to desserts like our Meadow Tea Cake.

Use Matcha to Bring Spring to Your Plate

Matcha pairs beautifully with sweeter elements and can be used in a variety of ways aside from your morning latte. Consider our matcha in a tres leches or swapping for the espresso in a tiramisu cake. The round and earthy notes complement the creamy elements of both desserts without overpowering the other ingredients.

For best results: make sure your water is no hotter than 175℉ to avoid a bitter extraction. Whisk thoroughly in a W or M to remove lumps before using. Your matcha should look good enough to drink.