A Taste of History: Colonial Williamsburg and Harney & Sons Launch New Bottled Iced Tea Collection

By Emeric Harney
June 22, 2026

For those residing in the Northern Hemisphere, the arrival of the summer solstice on June 21, 2026, at 4:24 AM EDT, marks more than just a shift in the calendar. It is a moment of astronomical significance, signaling the longest day of the year and the official beginning of the summer season. Across the globe, this celestial event has been observed through a vast array of cultural lenses for centuries, reflecting the diverse ways humanity has sought to honor the rhythms of the earth and the life-giving power of the sun.

Historically, the summer solstice has served as a touchstone for civilization. In ancient China, for instance, the solstice was marked by ceremonies that celebrated the earth and the delicate balance of nature. These traditions were rooted in a deep respect for the environment, a sentiment that resonates even in our modern era, particularly as we continue to find new ways to honor the planet. Elsewhere, the Vikings—often characterized by their seafaring prowess and rugged resilience—famously utilized the solstice as a time to gather for communal governance, settling legal disputes and addressing community matters. While this might seem a departure from the revelry typically associated with the onset of summer, it speaks to the importance of order and communal harmony during a time of peak daylight.

In Pagan Europe, the traditions took a more elemental form, with communities lighting massive bonfires. These fires were intended to strengthen the sun’s power, symbolically ensuring a bountiful harvest as the days began their slow transition back toward winter. Today, while we may not rely on bonfires to guarantee our agricultural success—relying instead on modern science and agricultural practices—the desire to commemorate the season remains as strong as ever. When established traditions no longer feel quite right for the contemporary palate, there is an inherent invitation to innovate and create new customs. It is in this spirit of honoring the past while embracing the present that a new chapter in the partnership between Harney & Sons and the Colonial Williamsburg Foundation has been written: the introduction of the Williamsburg Juice Drinks. While these bottled refreshments may not reach the scale of a midsummer bonfire, they offer a refined and profoundly refreshing way to toast the arrival of the season.

Honoring the 18th Century with 21st-Century Flavors

The launch of these three new bottled teas is the latest development in a collaborative journey that began in 2020. Colonial Williamsburg, located in Virginia, stands as the world’s largest living history museum, providing an immersive window into the life and culture of the 18th-century capital of the Virginia colony. When the Colonial Williamsburg Foundation first approached Harney & Sons to collaborate on a collection of teas, the goal was to bridge the gap between historical elegance and modern consumption. The resulting Colonial Williamsburg Tea Collection initially featured a selection of tinned loose-leaf and bagged teas, each carefully blended to evoke the aesthetic and sensory landscape of 18th-century America.

As the team at Harney & Sons looked toward the summer months of 2026, they identified a gap in their existing lineup: a lack of convenient, "grab-and-go" options. While it is true that bottled, shelf-stable iced tea was not a staple of daily life for the citizens of 18th-century Virginia, the developers are confident that, had such an option been available to them, it would have been embraced with enthusiasm. By blending the tradition of the Colonial Williamsburg aesthetic with the practical needs of a modern, fast-paced summer, the new collection provides a bridge across centuries.

A New Standard in Bottled Refreshment

The collection introduces three distinct varieties: Williamsburg Black Iced Tea, Williamsburg Peach Iced Tea, and Williamsburg Lemonade & Tea. The immediate visual appeal of these bottles is striking. Designed as much for their aesthetic presence as their contents, the packaging draws direct inspiration from the archives of the Colonial Williamsburg Foundation. The patterns featured on the labels are derived from original 18th-century artwork, as well as decorative motifs once found in the homes, gardens, and everyday settings of the colonial era. These bottles function almost like sophisticated fashion accessories, bringing a touch of historical artistry into the modern environment.

The Williamsburg Black Iced Tea serves as the foundation of this new range. Brewed with high-quality organic tea leaves and finished with a subtle touch of cane sugar, it is designed to be a quintessential, classic iced tea. The flavor profile is clean, crisp, and straightforward, mirroring the refined simplicity of its packaging, which features a blue-and-ivory pattern emblematic of the era’s design sensibilities. It is an exercise in restraint and quality, providing a cooling effect that is ideal for the height of summer.

For those who prefer a touch of sweetness, the Williamsburg Peach Iced Tea offers a nod to the warmth of Southern hospitality. The flavor profile is designed to feel indulgent, with prominent notes of ripe peach that soften the natural briskness of the black tea base. The label design reflects this vibrancy, drawing on the themes of abundance and the lush, blooming gardens that were a hallmark of colonial estates. It is a rounder, softer drinking experience that captures the essence of a summer afternoon in Virginia.

Rounding out the trio is the Williamsburg Lemonade & Tea, a beverage that encapsulates the concept of a bright, thirst-quenching classic. Housed in a bottle adorned with a sunny yellow archival print, this blend marries freshly brewed black tea with the sharp, tart edge of lemonade. The citrus notes effectively lift the natural depth of the tea, creating a balanced, lively drink that is particularly well-suited to the heat of the season.

Summer Occasions and the Art of the Sip

The versatility of these beverages makes them an ideal companion for a wide variety of summer activities. Whether one is spending the day at the beach or enjoying a quiet afternoon poolside, these bottled teas are designed to fit seamlessly into a cooler. For those who frequent outdoor concerts or local festivals, the ability to pack a high-quality, refreshing drink in a portable format enhances the experience, allowing for a moment of quiet enjoyment amidst the music and crowds.

The convenience factor extends to the road as well. For the quintessential Sunday drive with the windows down, these bottles are sized to fit perfectly in standard cupholders, making them a practical choice for travel. Similarly, for those spending time on the lake or embarking on a camping trip, the portability of the collection ensures that a refined refreshment is always at hand, whether on the water or sitting around a fire at the end of a long day of hiking.

Perhaps most significantly, these drinks provide a sophisticated non-alcoholic option for social gatherings. At backyard barbecues where the invitation might suggest a "bring your own beverage" approach, these teas offer an elegant alternative to the standard fare. They pair just as effectively with a casual backyard cookout—accompanying hamburgers and hot dogs—as they do with more curated summer meals.

As the season progresses, these additions to the Colonial Williamsburg collection represent a successful synthesis of historical appreciation and contemporary necessity. They serve as a reminder that even as we look forward to the future, we can find inspiration in the past, blending the lessons of history with the comforts of modern life. With their arrival, the producers hope to encourage consumers to make the most of their summer days, enjoying the simple, timeless pleasure of a well-crafted glass of tea.