"Hard Tea was one of consumers' most frequent RTD category purchased in 2023, which created an opportunity for High Noon to provide a premium alternative in a way only the brand can with real vodka and real iced tea," said Britt West, executive vice president and general manager at Gallo.

Fan Favorite

GT's Living Foods LLC, Los Angeles, introduced its first “fan-created” product, SYNERGY Pomelo Pink Lemonade Raw Kombucha.

The new item was submitted and voted by the brand's social media followers via an interactive flavor contest. The social media campaign garnered more than 17,000 flavor submissions, which resulted in three top innovation options for followers to vote for: Tropical Colada, Cherry Hibiscus and the contest winner, Pomelo Pink Lemonade, which earned the most votes from the total 25,000+ votes casted.

In addition to the innovation being the brand's first-ever fan-created flavor to be sold, it's the only SYNERGY Raw Kombucha offering containing “sweet pomelo, tart yuzu, and delicate jasmine, all of which are combined to give a modern twist to the classic pink lemonade taste,” the company says.

SYNERGY Pomelo Pink Lemonade Raw Kombucha is available at retailers nationwide including Target, Walmart, Sprouts, H.E.B., and Publix stores.

Time to Relax

The Boston Beer Company, Boston, extended TeaPot, its cannabis-infused iced tea brand, with a new Blackberry Rooibos variety.   

Blackberry Rooibos is the brand's second Good Evening Iced Tea, “designed to foster a relaxing and calming sensation,” the company says. It is non-caffeinated, low in sugar, and crafted to remove any cannabis taste or aroma.  As with all TeaPot varieties, Blackberry Rooibos is non-carbonated and contains 5mg of THC per 355 mL can.

"This is an exciting year for TeaPot and we're kicking it off with our new Blackberry Rooibos, the perfect evening iced tea," said Paul Weaver, director, head of cannabis at the Boston Beer Company. "With just 35 calories, 7g of sugar, and zero caffeine, it's the smart alternative to a nighttime cocktail or glass of wine."

TeaPot iced teas are produced in Canada at Peak Processing Solutions (Windsor, Ontario) and available in dispensaries across Canada or online via the Ontario Cannabis Store.

Fruit-Forward Flavors

Stateside Vodka, Philadelphia, announced national expansion plans along with five new fruit-forward flavors of iced teas and lemonades: Raspberry Lemonade, Strawberry Lemonade, Black Cherry Lemonade, Raspberry Iced Tea and Green Tea. Each offering is 4.5% ABV.

"This is an incredibly exciting time for us as our mission from day one has been to build Surfside into a true national brand," said Surfside CEO Clement Pappas. "The addition of the three new lemonade flavors, two new iced teas and the Lemonade Variety eight-pack were highly requested by our fans and is our way of showing love and appreciation for those who have helped us get here."

In addition to the new flavors, the Surfside portfolio includes the classic Iced Tea, Peach Tea, Half and Half and Lemonade. Surfside is made with premium vodka and real tea with only 100 calories and 2g of sugar.

Zero Sugar, Calories

Sweet tea existing without sugar may seem impossible to believe, but PepsiCo, Purchase, N.Y., says it “cracked the code” with new Pure Leaf Zero Sugar Sweet Tea, a real brewed, high-quality sweet, iced tea with zero sugar and zero calories.

"Bringing our first-ever Zero Sugar Sweet Tea product to market has been a long time coming," says Julie Raheja-Perera, general manager, North America, Pepsi Lipton Partnership. "We know this is an iced tea option consumers are looking for today, and we took the time needed to perfect our recipe. We wanted to make the delicious taste of sweet tea happen without sugar, while keeping Pure Leaf's standards of real, freshly brewed tea that consumers have come to know and love."

Hard Teas

Jack Daniel Beverage Co., Louisville, Ky., says new Jack Daniel's Country Cocktails Hard Tea combines black tea, ripe, true-to-fruit flavor, and a balanced, sweet finish. Four new flavors Original, Peach, Raspberry, and Blackberry.

"We are excited about our launch of Jack Daniel's Country Cocktails Hard Tea entering the fast-growing hard tea category. Through our partnership with Brown-Forman and the iconic Jack Daniel's brand, we've developed a new twist on the beverage that pays homage to its traditional southern roots," says Keith Cunningham, vice president of partnerships-Pabst. "All four of our great flavors each shine in their own way. It'll be hard to choose a favorite, but every flavor is guaranteed to deliver a smooth, bright and refreshing experience for consumers."

The teas come in 12oz can, 12-packs in retail and convenience stores in thirteen states at launch, including CA, TX, ID, AL, GA, SC, NC, TN, KY, IL, MI, WI, and PA; with the Original & Peach offered in 16oz and 23.5oz single serve cans in those limited states.

Creative Flavors

Health-Ade LLC, Torrance, Calif., extended its kombucha tea line with two new flavors: Orange Creamsicle and Pomegranate Blueberry.

Adding to the brand's rotating lineup of limited-edition flavors, Orange Creamsicle is the second of two new seasonal skus to launch in 2024 and is a continuation of the brand's commitment to deliver upon consumer demands, 73% of whom say they enjoy limited-edition flavors according to a 2023 study done by Food Ingredients First. In taste tests, consumers rated Pomegranate Blueberry higher than the original Pomegranate flavor and new Pomegranate Blueberry Kombucha now has joined Health-Ade’s permanent line up.

Both new flavors are available nationwide at retailers such as Whole Foods Market, Target and Albertsons and online at health-ade.com.