The Hermitage Hotel – Nashville’s celebrated gathering place for more than 110 years – is kicking off a partnership with Draper James, an American lifestyle brand founded by Academy Award-winning actress and entrepreneur Reese Witherspoon and inspired by her Southern roots.
This collaboration marries the two brands – both of which are beloved by many in the Nashville community – with a new afternoon tea service called “Spillin’ Tea with Draper James.”
“Guests who visit The Hermitage Hotel are met with elevated, approachable luxury deeply rooted in Southern hospitality,” said Molly Hardie, owner of The Hermitage Hotel. “Our partnership with Draper James is a natural extension of this spirit.”
An Afternoon Tea That Boasts Gracious Living
The new, limited-time afternoon tea toasts gracious living with a menu of classic Southern delights inspired by recipes from Witherspoon’s cookbook, Whiskey in a Teacup. Guests can expect delicious tea sandwiches, tarts, scones and desserts, and even a Whiskey in a Teacup drink, which is a nod to the hotel’s infamous Prohibition-era history.
The loose-leaf teas on the menu are provided by In Pursuit of Tea, headquartered in Watertown, Mass. According to the company’s website, In Pursuit of Tea was founded by Sebastian Beckwith and friends in 1999, to explore small farms in Asia and source the finest teas available. More than 20 years later, the company continues to visit these historic tea-growing regions to taste the season’s harvest and bring back the best.
Some of the teas on the “Spillin’ Tea with Draper James” menu include: a Darjeeling First Flush (Black Tea), Thunder Dragon Green (Green Tea), Chrysanthemum (Green Tea) and Cacao Chai (Black Tea), among others.
“We look forward to welcoming guests and locals alike to this special edition of our afternoon tea service and showing our Southern Hospitality to all who visit,” said Dee Patel, managing director of The Hermitage Hotel.
Designs by Draper James, Enhancing the Tea Experience
Inspired by her Southern roots, Witherspoon’s Draper James brand is named after her grandparents, who she said taught her everything she knows about gracious southern living. Launched in May 2015, the collection consists of ready-to-wear, accessories and home accents. The collection is available at the flagship store in Nashville, as well as the brick-and-mortar locations in Lexington, Ky., Atlanta, Ga. and at DraperJames.com.
In addition to the afternoon tea at The Hermitage Hotel, Draper James helped the hotel introduce a new staff wardrobe custom-designed by Witherspoon’s brand.
“We are honored to partner with The Hermitage Hotel and play a part in the latest chapter of this iconic Nashville hotel’s story,” said Kathryn Sukey, head of design at Draper James. “We worked closely with the team at The Hermitage Hotel on a color palette that speaks to the evolution of the hotel’s interiors and on a staff wardrobe that represent the perfect mix of new Nashville and heritage Nashville. I know when any employee wears them, they will embody the confidence we always set out to inspire.”
The hotel’s afternoon tea tablescapes also incorporate custom linens from the Draper James tabletop collection, and guests of the tea service will receive a special Draper James gift.
“Spillin’ Tea with Draper James” will be offered Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. beginning Friday, Oct. 22, 2021.
Details about the afternoon tea at The Hermitage Hotel can be found at TheHermitageHotel.com/afternoon-tea.