Twisted Tea is one of the top brands of hard iced tea found across North America. In many cases, those who have tried Twisted Tea for the first time will note that the taste is extremely smooth and slightly sweet. In many instances, this makes the beverage taste so much like regular iced tea that many are shocked to find out that it actually is a beer. But what is the type of alcohol found in Twisted Tea?
Unlike most mixed drinks that contain tea that have been combined with vodka, rum, or whiskey, the alcohol in Twisted Tea is a fermented malt base that is produced in a similar fashion to beer and then is mixed with brewed tea and other ingredients to form a smooth, sweet drink that tastes nothing like typical mixed drinks.
In this article, we will outline the type of alcohol that is found in Twisted Tea products, the process behind their production, the list of ingredients, and answer some of the most common questions asked by fans of the drink.
What Is Twisted Tea?
We currently offer eight different styles of Twisted Tea. We make them all with real brewed tea, and pack them with a lot of great ingredients, including a lot of sugar, natural flavors, and of course, a healthy dose of alcohol.
It has a unique taste for a hard alcohol, of fermented malted grains mixed with tea, which gives it a refreshingly cool taste that feels like it would be perfect for taking to the beach, on a hike, to a BBQ or basically any time when you are going to be out in the sun and want something to keep you refreshed while you are outdoors.
What Kind of Alcohol Is in Twisted Tea?
Twisted Tea uses a fermented malt base to create the alcohol in the beverage. This means instead of adding vodka or whiskey to the drink the company uses a malted grain that has been fermented by yeast. During the process of fermentation the yeast converts the sugars found in the malt into alcohol thus producing the base of the Hard Iced Tea that will become Twisted Tea.
After the malt alcohol has been produced, it is mixed with real brewed tea and a variety of other ingredients to make the Twisted Tea hard iced tea beverage.
The main ingredients include:
- Fermented malt alcohol
- Real brewed black tea
- Water
- Sweeteners
- Natural flavors
- Citric acid (varies by product)
Read more: what are tea towels used for
What Is Malt Alcohol?
In general, malt alcohol is made from any number of grains (barley is the most popular) that have been “malted” or undergone some sort of enzymatic change. This change usually involves the sprouting of grains in order to break down natural sugars. Once these grains have been altered in this fashion, they are then mixed with water to form a mash. The resulting liquid is then fermented by yeast, during which time the simple sugars are converted to alcohol.
While the alcohol in Twisted Tea is made from malt, it is by no means similar in taste to a beer. The natural flavors of the real brewed black tea and additional all natural flavorings mask the taste of the malt alcohol greatly and allow for the true tea flavor to come through.
Is Twisted Tea Made with Vodka?
No. Twisted Tea does not contain vodka.
This is due to the fact that Twisted Tea is brewed with malt and therefore goes through a process of fermentation, much like a beer. This process creates the alcohol in the beverage, rather than the typical method of adding a distilled spirit such as vodka to a canned cocktail.
Also note that Twisted Tea is not a canned vodka cocktail.
Does Twisted Tea Contain Beer?
There is often confusion with Twisted Tea because the brew uses malt alcohol, which is the same basic ingredient used to make beer.
Again, although Twisted Tea contains malt, the vast majority of its flavor comes from brewed tea, not malt and hops as with a beer. For this reason, although it contains malt and is produced much in the same way as beer, Twisted Tea is not typically considered to be a beer.
How Is Twisted Tea Made?
Although the exact recipe is proprietary, the overall production process follows several basic steps.
The manufacturing process generally includes:
- Brewing real black tea.
- Producing alcohol through malt fermentation.
- Blending the brewed tea with the malt alcohol.
- Adding sweeteners and natural flavorings.
- Filtering and packaging the finished beverage.
Keep in mind that the exact recipe and specific flavors for the different Twisted Tea flavors may vary from product to product.
Does Twisted Tea Use Real Tea?
Yes.
The fact that Twisted Tea uses real brewed tea is part of why the drink has become so popular. Rather than relying on artificial tea flavoring found in many other mass market flavored products, the brewed tea from the black tea that they use provides the true aroma and flavor of tea to the drink.
The real brewed black tea also gives the beer a nice amber color and a mild taste of tea tannins that typical flavored malt beverages cannot provide.
Read more: what does chamomile tea taste like
How Much Alcohol Does Twisted Tea Contain?
Twisted Tea beverages can have a slightly different alcohol content depending on the product; however the majority of our products are made with 5% Alcohol by Volume (ABV) and are similar to the majority of beers found on the market today.
Some specialty products contain higher alcohol levels.
Typical alcohol contents include:
- Original Twisted Tea – 5% ABV
- Half & Half – 5% ABV
- Raspberry – 5% ABV
- Peach – 5% ABV
- Mango – 5% ABV
- Light – 4% ABV
- Twisted Tea Extreme – 8% ABV
Remember to check the alcohol content on the label as well as other varieties of Twisted Tea that may be sold in your market.
Does Twisted Tea Taste Like Alcohol?
A key to the drink’s success is the fact that the alcohol flavor is hidden in the smooth taste of Twisted Tea. This malted, brewed tea drink is very similar in taste to typical iced tea that you find in refrigerators and on back porches all over the country. In fact, most people can’t even tell that the drink has any alcohol in it at all.
Twisted Tea contains malt alcohol but the taste of the alcohol is masked by the flavor of the brewed tea and the sweetener(s) added to the product. The taste is smooth and very similar to traditional iced tea. Many people who typically do not consume beer have reported to enjoy the beverage.
Many people describe the flavor as:
- Smooth
- Sweet
- Refreshing
- Lightly citrusy
- Tea-forward
While the taste of the alcohol in Twisted Tea is not usually detectable, please remember that it is an alcoholic beverage that should be enjoyed responsibly.
Does Twisted Tea Contain Caffeine?
Twisted Tea does contain a small amount of caffeine since it is made with real brewed tea. The amount of caffeine found in Twisted Tea is, however, much less than typical black tea.
The exact amount varies depending on the product and serving size.
Is Twisted Tea Carbonated?
Unike so many beers and hard seltzers, Twisted Tea is not carbonated. In fact, you’ll find that it’s more like sipping on a glass of freshly brewed iced tea- and that’s a big part of why it’s so smooth and easy to drink.
The low level of carbonation in Twisted Tea is one of the many reasons it is an extremely drinkable product and one that can be consumed easily by people looking for a smooth, fresh taste of iced tea in an alcoholic form.
Is Twisted Tea Gluten-Free?
No.
Since the alcohol is produced from malted barley, Twisted Tea is not gluten-free and should be read by individuals with celiac disease or other forms of gluten intolerance or sensitivity.
Comparison to Other Alcoholic Drinks.
Twisted Tea is a unique offering within the alcoholic beverage market. It is positioned between the more malt and bitter taste of traditional beer and the lighter, more carbonated taste of hard seltzers. Because it is made with a fermented malt base, it is not a spirit-based cocktail like most canned cocktails.
For these reasons, Twisted Tea is a great choice for people who are looking for a refreshing alcoholic beverage that does not taste like beer.
Here’s a quick comparison:
- Beer: Malt-forward, more bitterness, usually carbonated.
- Hard Seltzer: Light body, sparkling, fruit-focused flavors.
- Vodka Cocktail: Spirit-based with distilled alcohol.
- Twisted Tea, brewed tea made with fermented malt alcohol, a smooth tea flavor, that is.
Read more: is spearmint tea in india
Who Is Twisted Tea Best Suited For?
The popular drink can be enjoyed by adults who typically would consume sweeter iced tea or other similar fruit flavors mixed with alcohol. It’s also very popular as a ready-to-drink product that’s for outdoor events that are held during the warmer months. In addition, the beverage is also typically consumed at casual gatherings where friends and family are socializing and having a good time.
It may appeal to people who enjoy:
- Sweet iced tea
- Fruity alcoholic beverages
- Ready-to-drink drinks
- Low-bitterness beverages
- Outdoor parties
- Summer gatherings
Things to Know Before Drinking Twisted Tea
Even though it has a smooth taste, it is an alcoholic beverage, and should be consumed responsibly.
Keep these points in mind before drinking:
- It contains alcohol derived from fermented malt.
- It is not made with vodka.
- It contains real brewed tea.
- Some varieties contain more alcohol than others.
- It naturally contains small amounts of caffeine.
- It is generally not gluten-free.
- Never drink and drive.
- Please Drink Responsibly and are 21+ Years Old.
Final Thoughts
Twisted Tea contains a unique blend of real brewed tea, smooth flavor and fermented malt alcohol. The alcohol in Twisted Tea is made from the fermentation of malted grains, and is blended with a variety of flavors to create the smooth taste that has become synonymous with the brand. Twisted Tea is a hard iced tea, and as such, it is not like beer or hard seltzers, and is even different from many canned cocktails. In order to fully appreciate the unique taste of Twisted Tea, it is helpful to understand the way in which it is made.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Twisted Tea stronger than regular beer?
Most standard Twisted Tea products contain 5% ABV, similar to most standard beers. However, there are some varieties that are more potent.
Can Twisted Tea get you drunk?
Yes. Since it contains alcohol, drinking enough Twisted Tea can cause intoxication. The degree to which a person becomes intoxicated will depend on a number of factors including the drinker’s body weight and degree of alcohol tolerance. The amount of Twisted Tea that a person consumes will also play a large role in determining the extent of their intoxication.
Why doesn’t Twisted Tea taste like beer?
The malted grains are fermented to create the alcohol in the drink and then are blended with real brewed tea, as well as with sweeteners and natural flavors to make the smooth taste of the drink apparent. Because of the large amount of tea that is in the drink the malted grain taste is practically indistinguishable and the drink tastes much more like sweet iced tea than it does like a typical beer.
Is Twisted Tea a malt beverage?
Yes. As it is made with fermented malt alcohol, Twisted Tea is a Flavored Malt Beverage (FMB).
Can Twisted Tea be served over ice?
Yes, you can pour your Twisted Tea over ice with a lemon wedge or other garnish for added taste and refreshing quality.
