When Boston Beer introduced Twisted Tea in 2001, the idea of a hard iced tea was still in its infancy. Since then, this category of novelty beverages has skyrocketed, with new brands popping up seemingly daily. The combination of black or green tea, sugar, various flavorings, and alcohol of some ilk, is not only refreshing, but fun.
Many brands capitalize on unique flavor mash-ups, presenting their beverages in cans, or even boxes, decorated with quirky designs and bright colors. As a tea aficionado, I was eager to get my hands on a wide cross-section of these hard iced teas to see which brand produced the best brew. I assessed as many flavors of each brand as I could on aroma, flavor, and overall appeal.
Read on to find out which hard tea brand reigned supreme and which just didn't understand the homework assignment. Some recommendations are based on first-hand impressions of promotional materials and products provided by the manufacturer/distributor/etc. 17.
Lipton Hard Iced Tea Few brand names are as synonymous with tea as Lipton. Having been in the tea business since the 1800s, Lipton didn't launch its hard iced tea line until 2023 . These teas contain 5% ABV and come in a number of flavors.
I had the chance to sample the Lemon, Half & Half, and Citrus Green Tea varieties. My overall impression of all three of these hard tea offerings was that the tea itself was mediocre. I felt underwhelmed by the aroma and flavor, which lacked complexity and nuance.
I also thought the l.