This year brings yet another boozy take on a nostalgic favorite: Lipton Hard Iced Tea. The line of teas, announced late last year, is now available at retailers nationwide, according to a press release.
“Lipton Hard Iced Tea is what you want hard iced tea to taste like,” Lipton Hard Iced Tea brand director Lisa Texido says in the release. “We created the recipe to make sure that the smooth, balanced flavor people love about Lipton iced tea really came through. I think people will be surprised that a hard iced tea can be this delicious — it’s a must-try.”
Brewing company FIFCO USA announced the licensing agreement with PepsiCo in October 2022. The launch of Lipton Hard Iced Tea is a combined effort between PepsiCo’s Blue Cloud Distribution and FIFCO USA.
The malt beverages are five percent ABV and available in four flavors: Lemon, Half and Half, Peach, and Strawberry. They’re available in 12-can variety packs, and the Lemon and Peach varieties can also be found in individual 24-ounce cans. The boozy iced teas are now on shelves in convenience stores, retailers, and liquor shops across the United States.
“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,” CEO Piotr Jurjewicz stated in the initial release. “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 a great response from consumers. We are excited to roll this out!”
FIFCO USA will develop, produce, and market the new Lipton offerings, while Blue Cloud Distribution will manage the sale and distribution in select national markets. Blue Cloud Distribution is a subsidiary of PepsiCo but operates independently from the company’s non-alcoholic side. It also distributes HARD MTN DEW from the Boston Beer Company.
