Food / October 5, 2022

Lipton is launching a “Hard Iced Tea” range in 2023

Image: @liptonusa
Food / October 5, 2022

Lipton is launching a “Hard Iced Tea” range in 2023

Words: Ellen Kenny

This ain’t your regular Long Island Iced Tea.

Lipton Iced Tea is teaming up with US-based brewery Fifco to launch a range of “hard iced teas” for lovers of tea and alcohol.

With plans for a launch as soon as the first half of next year, the hard teas will “compete in the 5 percent ABV flavored malt beverages segment” and are set to initially land “in select geographies” in four flavors: lemon, peach, strawberry, and half and half.

“Connecting America’s favorite tea brand with Fifco’s expertise in this hot and growing segment allows us to leverage 130 years of brand history that consumers already know and love,” said CEO Piotr Jurjewicz.

“Our FIFCO USA product development team stayed true to Lipton’s high quality and great taste. And based on our consumer research, we expect a strong brand launch and great response from consumers.”

These new malt drinks will bear no resemblance to the famous Long Island Iced Tea, which consists of vodka, tequila, light rum, triple sec, gin, coke, and a massive headache. Nothing could replace those devil drinks.

The partnership between Lipton Iced Tea and Fifco is yet another recent collaboration between a soft drink brand and alcohol distributor. Recently, Coca-Cola has teamed up with Jack Daniels to create the official “Jack and Coke”. Pepsi is also involved in one of most American sounding drinks of all time: Boston Beer Company and Mountain Dew.

While these new products develop in the US, maybe Ireland should hope on this trend and get some iconic collaborations going. Lyon’s X Guinness, anyone?

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