Yes, there are a few brands of sweet tea flavored vodka on the market. The most popular brand is Firefly Sweet Tea Vodka, which combines vodka with the flavors of lemon and sweet tea. A few other brands making sweet tea vodka include Bird Dog Peach Tea Whiskey, Deep Eddy Sweet Tea Vodka, and Southern Comfort Sweet Tea Flavored Vodka.
What is sweet tea vodka?
Sweet tea vodka is a flavored vodka infused with flavors inspired by the taste of sweet tea – a popular iced tea drink commonly served in the Southern United States. Sweet tea is made by brewing regular black tea with extra sugar. The sweet tea flavoring provides the vodka with aromatic notes of tea leaves plus sweetness from sugar or honey.
Sweet tea vodka brands blend vodka with flavors like black tea, lemon, peach, honey or cane sugar to recreate the taste profile of sweet tea in alcoholic form. The result is a smooth, sweet and tangy flavored vodka that makes a delicious mixer for cocktails and long drinks.
Popular sweet tea vodka brands
Here are some of the top brands producing sweet tea vodka:
- Firefly Sweet Tea Vodka – Firefly is considered the original and most popular sweet tea vodka. It’s made in South Carolina and combines a four-times distilled vodka with lemon and sweet tea flavors.
- Bird Dog Peach Tea Whiskey – This has a sweet tea flavor with added juicy peach notes. It’s made by infusing grain whiskey with natural flavors.
- Deep Eddy Sweet Tea Vodka – Deep Eddy uses real black tea and peach flavors to create its smooth, sweet tea vodka. It’s distilled in Texas.
- Southern Comfort Sweet Tea Flavored Vodka – Southern Comfort took inspiration from the classic Southern sweet tea recipe to make this infusion of vodka with black tea and lemon flavors.
How is sweet tea vodka made?
Vodka is first distilled from a fermented grain mash, usually corn, wheat or rye. The unflavored spirit provides a smooth, clean base for absorbing and harmonizing flavors.
To make sweet tea vodka, the aromatics and flavors are compounded based on a typical sweet tea recipe. Black tea is usually steeped to release its unique aroma and tannins. Lemon zest or juice adds bright citrus notes. Sugars like cane sugar, honey or agave nectar contribute sweetness. Peach, raspberry or other fruit essences may also be added for more complexity.
These flavor ingredients are blended together and then mixed with the neutral vodka. The vodka extracts and absorbs the essences of tea, fruit and sweetener to take on those flavors. The flavored vodka is filtered, then bottled at the usual vodka proof of 80 proof (40% alcohol by volume).
What does sweet tea vodka taste like?
When you take a sip of sweet tea vodka, you’ll notice the aromas of tea leaves, lemon zest and sweet peach. On the palate, the flavor yields notes of tart lemon, earthy tea, ripe juicy peach and luscious honey-like sweetness. The texture is smooth and silky.
The tea and lemon provide an aromatic, slightly tannic taste. The fruit essences contribute juicy flavors. And the sugar or honey brings a mellow, candy-like sweetness that rounds out the tanginess. This flavor profile mimics the classic taste of Southern sweet tea.
Despite the added flavors, sweet tea vodka retains a light, clean character rather than being too cloying or syrupy. The result is a sweet and refreshing flavored vodka that’s easy-drinking on its own or when mixed into cocktails.
Cocktail recipes with sweet tea vodka
Sweet tea vodka shines when used to make delicious vodka cocktails and mixed drinks. Here are some popular cocktails that showcase sweet tea vodka:
- Sweet Tea Vodka Lemonade – Sweet tea vodka, fresh lemon juice and lemon-lime soda or ginger ale.
- John Daly – Sweet tea vodka with lemonade and iced tea.
- Georgia Peach – Sweet tea vodka, peach schnapps and lemonade.
- Sweet Tea Collins – Sweet tea vodka, lemon juice and club soda.
- Firefly Fizz – Firefly vodka, lemon juice, simple syrup, club soda.
Sweet tea vodka also works nicely in fruity cocktails, martinis, chilled shots, punchbowls and other liquor-based drinks. Its versatility in mixing makes it a unique flavored vodka to have on hand.
Conclusion
Sweet tea vodka delivers a delicious taste of Southern charm in liquid form. Brands like Firefly, Bird Dog and Deep Eddy infuse vodka with sweet tea aromas and flavors to create a smooth, refreshing spirit. Sipped alone or blended into sweet tea cocktails, this flavored vodka variety provides a sweet twist on a familiar favorite.