Mixing alcohol with tea is perfectly fine when done occasionally, so what is vodka and iced tea called?
I often got an earful from the elders when I played with my food and drinks when I was young. I remember the first time I added lemon juice to my hot chocolate and thought I had just invented a new delicious drink. It was worth it, even with the stomach ache I got after.
Now that we are a bit older, we have moved on to more thrilling things to add to our drink – alcohol. One of the easiest to make is Vodka Sweet Tea, which has the most accessible ingredients. An iced tea, a bottle of vodka, and sugar are all you need for a refreshing swig.
What Is Vodka and Iced Tea Called?
The drink can be confusing as this combination has many names. For instance, people may refer to it as a John Daly, but this beverage also calls for lemonade. Some will call it a Long Island Iced Tea, but this drink doesn’t even contain tea, and aside from vodka, rum, tequila, and gin are also mixed in.
The closest by definition is Vodka Sweet Tea.
What Is Vodka Sweet Tea?
Vodka Sweet Tea is an alcoholic beverage made from iced black tea sweetened with honey, syrup, or sugar and spiked with a shot or two of vodka. It is served iced.
Though purists may argue that the vodka and iced tea combo is not supposed to be sweet, the taste of the original blend can be too strong because of the alcohol and bland because of the black tea. Adding natural sweeteners can slightly offset the alcohol and give the drink flavor.
3 Vodka Sweet Teas To Try
A number of brands have released their own blends of ready-to-drink vodka sweet tea. Here are some of the tastiest ones to try!
1. Deep Eddy Sweet Tea Vodka
Branded as the first Deep Eddy product, this alcohol beverage uses organic whole leaf black tea, a vodka base that is ten times distilled, and local clover honey as a sweetener.
When served on the rocks, this Texan concoction becomes a refreshing beverage with a smooth finish and leaves behind a subtle chocolate aftertaste, but not without robust black tea undertones. You will still feel a kick, as the drink features a 35% ABV.
Check out our explainer on is hard kombucha alcoholic.
2. Sweet Carolina Sweet Tea
Starting with the bottle itself, it is sweet-looking and aesthetically pleasing. The same can be said in terms of taste. Compared to the other ones on the list, the Sweet Carolina retains most of the southern iced tea flavor, which may explain its thicker texture when poured.
A drawback is some might find it too sweet. You can offset this by mixing a splash of water or adding it to lemonade to make yourself a John Daly. Don’t be fooled by its delightful flavor when you drink it on the rocks, as this beverage is also 70 proof (35% ABV).
3. Firefly Sweet Tea Vodka
As the company known for creating the first hand-crafted sweet tea flavored vodka, Firefly boasts two variations of this beverage – the original Sweet Tea and the Skinny Tea, the latter using a sugar-free sweetener for the health conscious.
Flavor-wise, it is modestly sweet and blends well with the earthy and floral notes of the tea. If you are looking for that perfect moderate blend of vodka and iced tea, Firefly hits the mark.
A downside is you might not notice the alcohol creeping in before it is too late. Normally, it takes around five to eight shots of 35% ABV before you become intoxicated, so try to monitor and drink responsibly!
If you can’t get enough of alcohol and tea blends, you might want to check out our 8 Taste Boozy Sweet Tea Recipes.
How To Make Your Own Vodka Sweet Tea At Home
If you plan to host a party in the future, It is easy to concoct your own vodka sweet tea for the group! Here is the fastest way to make one at home.
Ingredients:
- Four to six tea bags (preferably black tea)
- One bottle of vodka (750 ml)
- Four to six teaspoons of sugar syrup or honey
Step One: Transfer Your Vodka
Pour the whole bottle into a pitcher or a large glass jar. Keep the bottle as you will transfer the vodka back.
Step Two: Add The Tea Bags
Let the tea bags steep for at least 30 minutes or up to two to three hours for a stronger tea flavor.
Step Three: Sweeten And Transfer Back
Add your teaspoons of syrup or honey and mix thoroughly before pouring it back into the vodka bottle. You can use a funnel for easy transfer.
Let it sit in the refrigerator for a few hours or overnight. You can serve it on the rocks if you are in a rush.
