Buying a drink isn’t as simple as it used to be. Choosing from thousands of available brands can get exhausting fast. If you’re looking for something that’ll pack a punch without the lingering aftertaste of hard liquor, Twisted Tea might be your next favorite drink.
What is Twisted Tea?
Twisted Tea is a spiked sweet tea manufactured by the Boston Beer Company, the same company that owns and produces the famous Samuel Adams lager. Because of its natural sweetness and flavor, it’s often regarded as the perfect summer drink. Twisted Tea is currently available in nine unique flavors:
- Original
- Peach
- Light
- Half & Half
- Blueberry
- Mango
- Huckleberry
- Raspberry
- Blackberry
FUN FACT: Although Twisted Tea has been popular since its release in 2001, sales and popularity grew rapidly following a viral video from 2020, where a can of Twisted Tea was involved in a convenience store altercation.
What Does Twisted Tea Taste Like?
Twisted Tea tastes exactly how you’d imagine: sweet tea with a twist of alcohol. Although most sweet tea drinks you’d order at a bar are spiked with vodka, Twisted Tea is not. The alcohol content comes from malted barley, which gives it a smoother, more subtle taste. Because it’s made with beer, Twisted Tea maintains a mellow flavor, making it perfect for those of us who can’t down heavier drinks.
Where Can You Find it?
Twisted Tea is available for purchase at most retail locations where alcohol is for sale, including but not limited to Walmart, Target, Rite Aid, Walgreens, and certain 7-Elevens. You can also find it at your local liquor store. You can buy a single 24 oz. can for just under $3, or a 12-pack for just under $20. There are several other styles of packaging available as well, depending on your location.
What’s Inside
Twisted Tea has an alcohol content of 5%, so one can alone probably isn’t enough to get you drunk. There’s enough alcohol in one can to give you a slight buzz, but if you’re looking to get hammered, you might want to search somewhere else.
Twisted Tea’s mellow flavor and light alcohol content make it ideal for slow sipping. It’s definitely not meant to be chugged, although you can always purchase a 12 or 24-pack and make it last the night.
Twisted Tea does in fact contain caffeine because of the black tea it’s made from. However, the caffeine content is around just 30 milligrams, about 30% of what’s in your morning coffee. While it’s not enough to get you wired, the caffeine is definitely noticeable after a few cans, and can provide an extra kick to your buzz.
How to Make Twisted Tea Taste Even Better
If the flavor of Twisted Tea isn’t quite your style, there are ways you can make it more palatable. The first thing I suggest is trying a different flavor. Twisted Tea comes in many unique flavors and they all have something to offer. If the original is too bland and boring, a huckleberry or peach might be a better alternative.
If you’re stuck with Twisted Tea and need a way to spice up the flavor, adding lemonade, fresh mint leaves, or extra sugar can help, although keep in mind this will alter the calorie count. If that’s still not enough, adding an extra shot or two of vodka will really bring this drink into competition with the hard hitters. Adding a garnish like a lemon wedge can make a difference too.
Blending Twisted Tea
If you’re saddled with some cans of Twisted Tea and looking to turn it into more of a party, you can always blend it to make a better drink. One great thing about Twisted Tea is that its flavor profile is very compatible with other drinks. When mixed with hard liquor, it helps reign in the toughness of the alcohol. When paired with something sweet, the tea’s natural bitterness can keep the sugar from getting overwhelming.
To blend your Twisted Tea into an even better beverage, pour a can of tea into your blender. From there, you can add extras such as ice, lemonade, sugar, frozen fruit, and vodka to bring the flavor where you want it to be. Blend until the consistency is just how you like it, and pour it into your favorite cup.
What Foods Pair Well with Twisted Tea
It’s easy to work up an appetite drinking, and sometimes it can be tricky selecting the perfect snack for your evening. As someone who loves Twisted Tea, I’ve put together a small list of delightful summer foods that bring out the best in your spiked tea.
Chips & Salsa
Chips and salsa are a great snack to pair with Twisted Tea because the saltiness of the chips creates a delightful contrast to the sweet tea. I recommend a spicy salsa, because the heat can also be easily subdued with a sip of your drink. It’s also a lighter snack, so it likely won’t upset your stomach after you’ve had a few drinks.
Pizza
Pizza is a summertime favorite and the perfect party meal, making it an ideal partner for your Twisted Tea when company is over. The savory taste of the tomatoes and cheese fuse with the sweet tea to create a delicious flavor explosion.
Tacos & Burritos
There’s something about cheesy, greasy foods that can’t be beat when it comes to snacks during a night of drinking. Twisted Tea can offset the spice of certain Mexican cuisine while cleansing your palate in between so you can enjoy every bite. The sweet aftertaste can also stave off garlic and onion breath!
Why Choose Twisted Tea?
Twisted Tea has a lot to offer for casual drinkers looking for a simple summer beverage. If you don’t usually want to get drunk, but you still want something to sip on and give you a little buzz, Twisted Tea is your best bet. Its sweet, smooth taste is also popular with so many people that it’s a perfect party drink too.
Not only is it affordable and delicious, but you can find it just about anywhere. Even if alcoholic sweet tea isn’t normally your preference, Twisted Tea’s delicious flavor is unquestionably irresistible. Try it on your next night out – or in – and you’ll realize just how great it really is.
