Some of the best summer memories start around a table, on a porch, at a backyard BBQ, or anywhere family and friends come together. For 80 years, Milo’s has been part of those moments—passed around at celebrations big and small, shared between generations, and enjoyed alongside the people who matter most.
This summer, we’re inviting you to slow down, put the screens away, and be present for the moments worth remembering. Gather your favorite people, enjoy the simple things, and make new memories over the fresh-crafted teas and lemonades you know and love. Because the best memories aren’t captured on a device—they’re made together, one sip at a time.
Click here to read a NEW white paper authored by clinical psychologist Dr. Jenny Taitz that explores the science behind memory, taste, and connection, revealing how shared experiences help create lasting moments that stay with us long after summer ends.
The memories that shape us most aren’t always tied to life’s biggest milestones. Experiences such as family dinners, summer cookouts, after-school conversations, and favorite beverages shared with loved ones often become some of our most meaningful memories.
Because they connect to our basic survival needs, engage multiple senses and often include bringing people together through shared experiences and meaningful rituals, food and beverages become especially powerful triggers of memory and nostalgia.
A positive experience may last only minutes in the moment, but the memory of it can continue providing value long afterward. Research suggests revisiting meaningful memories can boost positive emotions, strengthen connection, reduce stress, enhance motivation and support wellbeing.
For Chef Carla Hall, some of life’s most meaningful memories begin around the table. This summer, she’s sharing a collection of favorite recipes inspired by the people, places, and moments that have shaped her story. From family traditions to seasonal gatherings, each dish comes with a special memory and a reminder of the power of sharing food with those you love. We hope Carla’s recipes inspire you to create your own memorable moments, gather your favorite people, and bring Milo’s to the table all summer long.
Some of my favorite memories involve a kitchen full of people, something delicious cooking, conversations that linger long after the meal, and a jug of Milo’s Famous Sweet Tea nearby. I’ve always believed that the best memories are made when we slow down and make time for one another, and I hope these recipes help you create some of those moments this summer.
“This recipe takes me back to my first restaurant, where a sweet tea soda was one of the drinks on the menu. Hibiscus adds a beautiful floral flavor, ginger brings a little zing, and sparkling water gives it the effervescence that makes it so refreshing.”
“I love finding ways to use sweet tea beyond the glass, and this brine may be my favorite. It helps create chicken that’s juicy, flavorful, and just a little unexpected. This recipe proves that leftovers can be the best part of the meal. The sweet tea brined chicken brings so much flavor that the chicken salad practically makes itself.”
“If your favorite summer drink became dessert, it might look a lot like this cake. Every sip of lemon sweet tea takes me back to my grandmother’s kitchen. The bright, puckery lemon plays beautifully against the smooth sweetness of the tea, creating a cake that’s both refreshing and comforting.”
“Sweet blueberries and tart lemon flavors come together in these buttery crumble bars. Milo’s Lemonade gives the blueberry compote a bright, citrus lift that makes the fruit taste even more like itself. Paired with a buttery crust and crumb topping, these bars strike the perfect balance of sweet and tangy.”
Some of my favorite memories were made while creating something with other people—whether it was cooking a meal, baking cookies, making art, or even planning a celebration. When you make something together, you’re creating both a keepsake and a memory.
Don’t wait for the party to start. Some of the best moments happen while you’re setting the table, mixing the drinks, choosing the music, or baking the cake. The anticipation is part of the memory.
The moments we remember most are usually the ones we fully experience. Take a few minutes to put away your phone, look around, and really notice the people you’re with.
You don’t need a big event to create a lasting memory. In the South we like to take time and slow down and I think you can do that wherever you live. A picnic in the backyard, a family game night, or sipping Milo’s tea on the front porch with a friend on a regular Tuesday can become something you’ll remember for years.
Some of my happiest memories were made around a table filled with good food, great conversation, and a jug of Milo’s Famous Sweet Tea. There’s something special about slowing down, sharing a meal, and making time for the people you love.
You don’t have to wait for a special occasion to make a memory. One of my favorite things to do with my husband, Matthew, is take a color walk. We each pick a color and spend the walk looking for it in the world around us. Sometimes we’ll take photos and compare them afterward. A little creativity can turn an ordinary afternoon into something memorable.
Music has a way of changing the energy of a room and bringing people together. Whether it’s cooking dinner, hosting friends, or taking a road trip, I love adding music to the experience. Years later, hearing a particular song can instantly bring you back to a moment, a place, or the people you were with.
Don’t be shy about letting people know you appreciate them. A kind word, a heartfelt compliment, or simply telling someone how much they mean to you can become a memory that lasts for both of you. We often remember how people made us feel long after we’ve forgotten what we were doing.
Media Contact
For press inquiries, interview requests, or additional information about the Tastes Like Memories campaign, please contact:
Carly Wilhelm
360 PR+
732.237.4533
milos@360pr.plus
Press Release
Read the official press release to learn more about the campaign.
About Milo’s Tea Company
Milo’s Tea Company is a family-owned, certified women-owned business crafting high-quality, fresh beverages since 1946. Headquartered in Birmingham, Alabama, Milo’s is the #1 selling refrigerated tea in America and one of the fastest-growing lemonade brands, available in all 50 states at over 62,000 retail locations. A TRUE Platinum Zero Waste company, Milo’s is committed to supporting the communities where it operates, donating at least 1% of profits to causes focused on education, the environment, and disaster relief. Learn more at www.drinkmilos.com.
