Bottled | Hard | Raspberry | Lemon | Caffeine-Free
Top bottled iced tea brands
#1. Gold Peak
The Brand: Gold Peak is owned by the Coca-Cola company. The beverage giant began producing bottled teas in 2006. Since that time, Gold Peak tea has become very popular among tea drinkers. It is commonly sold both at room temperature and pre-chilled for immediate consumption. Gold Peak also features many fast-food outlets and some restaurants.
Need to Know: Gold Peak sells many sweetened and unsweetened tea flavors. The most popular bottles are Georgia Peach and Maine Blueberry. Extra Sweet, and Unsweetened Lemon are also popular. The brand markets diet options to those who crave sweetness without added calories.
#2. Tazo
The Brand: Stephen Smith founded Tazo in 1994. Starbucks purchased the brand in 1999. Unilever purchased the Tazo brand in 2017 after Starbucks acquired Teavana. Tazo’s headquarters are still in Kent, Washington, where the brand began.
Need to Know: Tazo has strong associations with spirituality and transcendence. The company previously marketed the tea as having religious significance and claimed it was blessed by shamans. Under Unilever, the brand is becoming more mainstream and focusing on taste.
#3. Pure Leaf
The Brand: Pure Leaf is joint-owned by PepsiCo, the company that makes Pepsi and Mountain Dew, and Unilever. The brand emerged in 2012 as an offshoot of Unilever’s Lipton. The partners also own Brisk, another competitor.
Need to Know: Pure Leaf is marketed as authentic and pure. It is sweetened with real sugar instead of corn syrup or artificial sweeteners. Popular varieties include Honey Green, Peach, Tea with Lemonade, and Unsweetened. Fans compliment the tea as being refreshing and mild.
#4. Lipton
The Brand: Lipton tea is a British tea company loved around the world. Thomas Lipton started importing and selling tea from his grocery stores in 1890. The brand was particularly successful overseas and preferred by American consumers. Lipton was purchased by Unilever in 1972 and the first bottled teas went on the market in 1991.
Need to Know: Lipton specializes in sweetened flavored teas. Best-sellers include Citrus Green Tea, Lemon Black Tea, and White Raspberry Iced Tea. Shoppers who count calories enjoy their diet range of non-caloric sweet teas.
#5. Tejava
The Brand: Yasumasa Iwamoto, the CEO of Tejava, claims the brand started as a way to convince people to reduce sugary drinks and drink tea as a healthy alternative. The brand is owned by Otsuka Pharmaceutical and is the sister company of Crystal Geyser Water.
Need to Know: Tejava products are never sweetened, making them an ideal choice for health-conscious buyers. The original iced black tea is a top-seller. Tejava also has flavorful teas with botanical essences for those who like something different. Hojicha Green, Oolong, and Pineapple Mango Black Tea provide refreshment in the summer or any time of year.
Top hard iced tea brands
#6. Owl’s Brew
The Brand: Owl’s Brew is a female-owned company run by Jennie Ripps and Maria Littlefield. The brand is hyper-focused on supporting opportunities for women in the workplace and increasing on-the-job diversity. The company was started in 2013 and is headquartered in New York.
Need to Know: The brand is committed to providing a clean product made from natural ingredients. Owl’s Brew drinks are gluten-free and contain no artificial sweeteners or additives. From Darjeeling Hibiscus to Spiced Chai with Cranberry, the company offers flavors for every occasion.
#7. White Claw
The Brand: White Claw is a privately-held company run by Anthony von Mandl. It started in 2016 as an offshoot of another von Mandl brand, Mike’s Hard Lemonade. White Claw is one of the world’s most popular brands of hard iced teas and seltzers with 60% of the American market.
Need to Know: White Claw’s Hard Seltzer Iced Teas are heavily carbonated and average about 100 calories each. All flavors are flavored with a small amount of sugar and juice concentrate. The company is expanding rapidly and many consumers cite White Claw as being perfect for creating a relaxing party atmosphere.
#8. Two Chicks
The Brand: Meghan Hanna and Linda Cash are another successful female duo that makes our list. Their company, Two Chicks, specializes in canned cocktails that add a touch of sophistication to any meal or event. Two Chicks began in 2019 and is based in Las Vegas, Nevada.
Need to Know: Two Chicks “Sparkling Vodka CuTea” is an award-winning blend of vodka, cucumber tea, peach, and herbs. The company’s products have ranked top ten in the USA Today’s Reader’s Choice awards and received the gold from the Beverage Testing Institute.
#9. Loverboy
The Brand: Loverboy crashed onto the scene in January of 2020. The company is the brainchild of Amanda Batula and Kyle Cooke, reality television stars from Bravo’s Summer House. Fans have supported the brand, which appeals strongly to Gen Z and young Millennials.
Need to Know: Loverboy drinks tend to be low in alcohol, averaging 4%. They are therefore a nice addition to a picnic lunch or relaxing afternoon at home. Interesting flavors abound such as Orange Chai Latte, Hibiscus Lime, and White Tea Peach. The drinks are sweetened with stevia and 90 calories each.
#10. Blue Point Brewing
The Brand: Blue Point Brewing is based in New York City and operates on a culture of hard work and intense action. The company took shape in 1998. In 2014 the brand joined with Anheuser-Busch to increase visibility and growth.
Need to Know: Blue Point primarily brews beer but has recently come out with their line of LIIT or Long Island Iced Teas. These “tea seltzers” sell in a variety of sweetened flavors including Peach and Lemon.
Top raspberry iced tea brands
#11. Lipton
The Brand: Lipton enjoys a solid reputation among diverse consumer markets. The brand performs well across Northern Africa, Asia, Europe, and North America. Lipton manufactures local teas and creates unusual flavor profiles to meet consumers’ demand for something fresh and original.
Need to Know: Consumers with a craving for raspberry tea will find the perfect mix for their taste at Lipton. Lipton’s original black tea with sugar and raspberry remains a favorite. The company also sells diet and white tea raspberry versions.
#12. Bai
The Brand: Bai is a well-known beverage distributor. The company’s image promotes nutrition and wellness through nutrition and vitamin intake. Ben Weiss created the company in 2009. Bai strives to provide low-sugar drinks that support and enhance the drinker’s physical health.
Need to Know: Many consumers are used to drinking very sweet tea. Bai’s “Supertea” line offers flavor without sugar. Each bottle contains only one gram of sugar and no artificial sweeteners. Rio Raspberry is a popular flavor. Those who prefer unflavored tea with a light hint of sweetness will love Socorro Sweet.
#13. The Republic of Tea
The Brand: William Rosenweig, Mel Ziegler, and Patricia Ziegler formed the Republic of Tea in 1992.The company is privately held. The Republic of Tea has an exclusive image boosted by the fact it isn’t sold in most grocery stores. Shop for it at Whole Foods or Williams Sonoma.
Need to Know: The Republic of Tea is all about variety. The brand delivers an array of tea leaves and flavors. Raspberry lovers can choose from Raspberry Rose Hibiscus, Black Raspberry Green Tea, Organic Raspberry Leaf Tea, and Get Heart Rooibos with Berry. The company also stocks many berry and fruit blends.
#14. Arizona
The Brand: In 1971 John Ferolito and Don Vultaggio developed the Arizona Beverage Company. Contrary to the name, Arizona was actually founded and is headquartered in New York City. Hornell Brewing Company now owns the Arizona name.
Need to Know: Arizona offers original Raspberry and Diet Raspberry iced tea. Diet Raspberry is sweetened with stevia and erythritol. Both blends are naturally flavored with raspberry juice concentrate.
#15. Brisk
The Brand: PepsiCo and Unilever jointly own the Brisk brand, which emerged in 1991. In the 1990s, Brisk worked hard to create a name for itself. Expensive marketing campaigns featuring celebrities were designed to attract younger buyers and generate buzz. Currently, Brisk advertises as a budget product, offering 1L bottles for 99¢.
Need to Know: Raspberry Brisk is just the beginning of the product array offered by Brisk. Blackberry, peach, and lemonade versions are all on sale at your local grocery. Brisk is noted for being exceptionally sweet and may not appeal to those who prefer mildly sweet or unsweetened tea. A 12oz bottle contains 49 grams of sugar.
Top lemon iced tea brands
#16. Honest Tea
The Brand: Honest Tea belongs to Coca-Cola. CEO Seth Goldman founded the brand in 1998 alongside Barry Nalebuff. Their goal was to create a company that would engage in fair trade practices and delivers wholesome, minimally processed products. In 2011, Coca-Cola fully acquired the brand.
Need to Know: All Honest Tea products are certified organic. The brand also has a fair-trade certification which many consumers appreciate. “Lori’s Lemon” is the company’s top seller in lemon iced tea. Honest Tea also produces a half-tea, half-lemonade blend for a mildly sweet, summery experience.
#17. Starbucks
The Brand: Jerry Baldwin started Starbucks in 1971.At first, Starbucks sold whole and ground coffee beans. However, in the 1980s Howard Schultz bought the company and converted Starbucks into a coffee shop and espresso bar. Starbucks remains extremely popular in North America and has locations all over the world.
Need to Know: Starbucks offers a large range of iced teas, including Golden Ginger, Peach Green, and London Fog Latte. Fans of lemon will enjoy Black Tea Lemonade, Green Tea Lemonade, Matcha Lemonade, and Passion Tango Lemon.
#18. True Lemon
The Brand: True Lemon is part of the True Citrus Company owned by David Schleider. The company was formed in 2003 to sell crystallized lemon juice and other products. They are now distributed throughout the world. True Lemon is very popular in North America, Asia, and Europe.
Need to Know: True Lemon differs from the competition by providing easy-to-mix drink packets users can stir into bottled water. Mixes include black tea with lemon and a lemon-peach iced tea. True Lemon’s Citrus Wedge Replacements can also be used to add flavor to conventional iced tea or to compliment your favorite iced tea brand.
#19. Stash
The Brand: The Stash Tea Company opened in Portland, Oregon in 1972. Dave Ledger, Steve Lee, and Steve Smith are the original founders. In the 1970s, Stash was a mail-order tea company delivering loose leaves and tea bags to customers across the United States. Yamamoto Yama acquired the brand in the 1990s and began selling tea to the hospitality industry.
Need to Know: These days, Stash is widely available at grocery stores and online. Citrus fans love Stash’s Meyer Lemon, Lemon Ginger, and Tropical Fruit teas. The company also offers unusual flavors like Root Beer, Iced Earl Grey, Wild Raspberry, and Moroccan Mint iced teas.
#20. Chick-fil-A
The Brand: Chick-fil-A is a privately-owned fast-food company. The brand is the property of the Cathy family of Georgia. It was founded in 1946 by S. Truitt Cathy and is currently led by CEO Andrew Truett Cathy. The company has a strong presence across the United States with over 2,500 restaurant locations.
Need to Know: Chick-fil-A is an American fast-food company with a reputation for wholesome ingredients, excellent customer service, and delicious food. Their iced tea is highly sought after by fans. Their Sunjoy iced tea combines lemon or lemonade with sweetened or plain black tea for a refreshing cocktail. The company also sells sugary or unsweetened iced tea without lemon flavor.
Top caffeine-free iced tea brands
#21. Tetley
The Brand: British-based Tetley is a well-known provider of tea. The company’s roots trace back to 1837 when Edward and Joseph Tetley began their business. Originally, the tea company was housed in Yorkshire. In 2000, India-based Tata Consumer Products bought the company.
Need to Know: The Tetley brand is all about tradition. The brand does not offer flavored iced teas. Instead, they provide the familiar flavor of black tea available in square or round tea bags. Customers can add their own flavorings. Their decaffeinated variety also comes in two tea bag styles. In the past, Tetley used a blend of black tea from various providers, but all Tetley tea is now sourced from Tata-owned Sri Lanka or India plantations.
#22. PG Tips Decaf
The Brand: Arthur Brooks began selling tea from his Manchester shop in 1869. In the 1930s, his tea was marketed as a stomach remedy and sold under the name Brooke Bond Pre-Gestee, eventually becoming known as PG Tips. Unilever acquired the brand in 1984.
Need to Know: PG Tips is meant to be brewed at home before being iced. It is sold in the traditional pyramid-shaped bag for easy brewing. The Tasty Decaf flavor provides no caffeine. Unilever’s website features recipes for making delicious iced tea from decaffeinated PG Tips, including blends for Minty Lemon iced tea.
#23. Panera
The Brand: Panera Bread Company is a bakery and restaurant company headquartered in Sunset Hills, Missouri. Panera started in 1987 and is currently owned by JAB Holdings. JAB Holdings also owns Au Bon Pain, Pret A Manger, and Krispy Kreme, as well as numerous tea and coffee brands. The company promotes a European brand image but many outlets are located in the United States.
Need to Know: Panera offers diners a variety of healthy beverages, including iced tea. Caffeine-free iced teas are available, including sweetened and unsweetened black iced tea. Flavors like Plum Ginger Hibiscus, Passion Papaya Green, Prickly Pear Hibiscus are also free from caffeine and have become popular favorites.
#24. Inko’s
The Brand: Inko’s is a holistic wellness company specializing in bottled teas. Andy Schamisso founded the brand in 2002 and named it after his pet dog, Inko. It was quickly purchased by the Wholesome Tea Company and sold to Braintrust Investments in 2014. It is now headquartered in New York City. Inko’s specializes in all-natural, wholesome products.
Need to Know: Inko’s tea is from white “Silver Needle” tea, which is thought to provide more nutrients without jitters. Popular flavors include Hint ‘O Mint, Organic Blueberry, and Southern Honeysuckle. White Peach, Vine Ripe Honeydew, and Honey Lemon are also available. For those who crave caffeine, Inko’s does make energy drinks as well.
#25. Luzianne
The Brand: Luzianne is part of the Reily Food Company.In 1902, William Reily began selling coffee and tea from his New Orleans-based shop. Iced tea became a Luzianne product in 1932 with the advent of refrigeration. The company has a reputation for providing sweetened teas based on the tastes of the American South and in particular Louisiana.
Need to Know: Luzianne provides a variety of coffees, teas, and spices. Consumers who prefer decaffeinated iced tea products will enjoy Luzianne Decaf Iced Tea and Green Iced Tea. Luzianne offers tea bags and Keurig K-cups specifically formulated for ice tea. These can be brewed traditionally and poured over ice, or made as “sun tea”. Luzianne’s iced teas also come in bottles. All Luzianne teas are sweetened with cane sugar except for their unsweetened variety.
Sources
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