Twisted Tea is a hard iced tea made from real brewed tea, natural flavors, and malt alcohol. It tastes like sweet iced tea with a light alcohol kick and has about 5% ABV. It comes in many flavors and is sold in liquor stores, supermarkets, gas stations, and convenience stores across the United States.
Twisted Tea has become one of the most talked-about hard tea drinks today. Many people enjoy it because it tastes like smooth iced tea but includes enough alcohol to feel refreshing at parties and social events.
Twisted Tea is different from beer, hard seltzer, and wine coolers because it uses real brewed tea, which gives it a more natural flavor.
This guide explains everything you need to know about Twisted Tea, including its ingredients, history, flavors, alcohol content, how it is made, and where to buy it.
What Exactly Is Twisted Tea?
Twisted Tea is a hard iced tea, which means it is iced tea mixed with a malt alcohol base. It tastes mainly like iced tea, so it appeals to people who do not enjoy the bitterness of beer or the flavor of strong alcohol.
1. Main Ingredients
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Brewed black tea
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Malt alcohol
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Water
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Natural fruit flavors
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Light sweetener
The tea base gives the drink a familiar and smooth taste. The alcohol is mild, so it feels light and easy to drink.
2. ABV
Most Twisted Tea products have:
• 5% ABV (alcohol by volume)
But some lighter versions have fewer calories and slightly lower alcohol levels.
Who Makes Twisted Tea?
Twisted Tea is produced by the Boston Beer Company, one of the largest craft brewers in America.
The company is also known for:
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Samuel Adams beer
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Angry Orchard hard cider
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Truly Hard Seltzer
Because the Boston Beer Company has decades of brewing experience, it can ensure that Twisted Tea keeps a consistent taste and quality.
A Longer Look at the History of Twisted Tea:
Twisted Tea launched in 2001, during a period when flavored alcoholic beverages began gaining popularity. Before this, most flavored drinks were very sweet or heavy. Twisted Tea introduced something more refreshing.
Why it became popular:
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People liked the idea of alcohol + iced tea
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It tasted familiar and not too strong
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It stood out from other drinks at the time
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Outdoor events and tailgates boosted its visibility
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Viral videos and memes helped spread the brand online
Over the years, Twisted Tea has continued to add flavors and expand availability across the United States.
Twisted Tea Flavors:
Twisted Tea has many flavors. Below is a more detailed breakdown:
1. Original
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Most popular flavor
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Tastes like smooth sweet iced tea
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Balanced sweetness and tea strength
2. Half & Half
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Inspired by the Arnold Palmer drink
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A blend of iced tea and lemonade
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Slightly more citrus flavor
3. Peach
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Sweeter than Original
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Strong peach aroma
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Popular among people who like fruity drinks
4. Raspberry
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Bold berry taste
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Sweet but still tea-forward
5. Slightly Sweet
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Less sugar
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Same iced-tea flavor
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Good for people watching sugar intake
6. Light
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Fewer calories
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Milder sweetness
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Same 5% ABV
7. Multi-Flavored Variety Packs
Many stores sell mixed boxes that contain:
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Original
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Raspberry
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Peach
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Half & Half
These are popular for parties.
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How Twisted Tea Is Made:
Twisted Tea’s brewing process includes:
1. Brewing Real Tea
Black tea leaves are brewed to create the base flavor.
2. Creating a Malt Base
A malt alcohol base is brewed from grains, similar to the way beer is made.
3. Blending
The tea and malt base are blended with fruit flavors and sweetener.
4. Filtering
The drink is filtered to create a smooth, clean taste.
5. Canning or Bottling
Twisted Tea is packaged in:
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Bottles
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Cans (12 oz, 24 oz, and larger)
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Multi-flavor packs
This process ensures the flavor stays consistent from batch to batch.
Where to Buy Twisted Tea:
Twisted Tea is widely available because it is considered a ready-to-drink beverage.
Common places to find it:
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Liquor stores
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Supermarkets
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Gas stations
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Convenience stores
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Warehouse clubs (varies by state)
Stores likely to carry it:
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Walmart
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Kroger
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Publix
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Target
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Safeway
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Total Wine
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BevMo
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Many local grocery chains
Online delivery services include:
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Drizly
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DoorDash liquor delivery (in allowed states)
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Instacart
Availability depends on state alcohol laws.
Is Twisted Tea Healthy?
Twisted Tea is not a health drink. Like most alcoholic drinks, it contains sugar and calories.
However, compared to sugary cocktails, it can feel lighter because it is not carbonated.
Twisted Tea Light and Slightly Sweet options have fewer calories for people looking for lighter choices.
Evidence-Style References
Without linking to URLs, here are credible sources that commonly discuss Twisted Tea:
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Boston Beer Company provides official product info and brewing details in its product guides.
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Beverage industry publications, similar to Beverage Dynamics and Beer Business Daily, report on the popularity of ready-to-drink beverages like Twisted Tea.
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Media outlets, such as USA Today and The Washington Post, have mentioned Twisted Tea in drink trend reports.
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Consumer review platforms, grocery delivery apps, and retail stores often show strong customer ratings for Twisted Tea.
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Food and drink blogs, similar to Bon Appétit’s trend pieces, highlight the rise of flavored alcoholic drinks.
These references support the product’s popularity and industry recognition.
Last Words:
Twisted Tea is a refreshing hard iced tea that combines the classic taste of brewed tea with a smooth malt alcohol base. Its wide range of flavors, easy drinkability, and nationwide availability make it a favorite for parties, outdoor gatherings, and everyday relaxation.
If you enjoy iced tea and want an alcoholic drink that tastes familiar, Twisted Tea is a great option. With many flavors and styles, it offers something for almost everyone.