October 16, 2025 7:19 AM PDT
Twisted Tea has become one of the most popular hard iced teas on the market, especially among those looking for a refreshing alternative to beer or traditional cocktails. Whether you're sipping it at a barbecue, tailgate, or just relaxing on your porch, Twisted Tea has carved out a place in the world of alcoholic beverages. But have you ever wondered —
what alcohol is in twisted tea?
The answer is simple but often misunderstood. Let’s break it down.
The Basics of Twisted Tea
Twisted Tea is a flavored malt beverage (FMB), meaning it's made from brewed grains — typically barley or other malted cereal grains — and then flavored to taste like iced tea. It’s known for its smooth, slightly sweet flavor that closely mimics a classic Southern-style sweet tea, with just enough kick to let you know it's alcoholic.
So, What Alcohol Is in Twisted Tea?
The alcohol in Twisted Tea comes from fermented malted barley, similar to how beer is made. While it may taste like spiked tea or a cocktail, it doesn’t contain distilled spirits like vodka, rum, or whiskey. Instead, the base alcohol is a malt alcohol, which is brewed and fermented much like beer.
So if you've been asking yourself, what alcohol is in Twisted Tea? — the accurate answer is malted barley alcohol, which is derived from a fermentation process, not distillation.
This distinction is important, especially if you’re trying to understand how Twisted Tea compares to other alcoholic drinks in terms of strength, ingredients, and dietary restrictions.
Alcohol Content of Twisted Tea
Twisted Tea Original has an alcohol by volume (ABV) of 5%, which is about the same as a standard beer. Some varieties, like Twisted Tea Light, contain less alcohol (around 4% ABV), while others like Twisted Tea Extreme have a higher ABV (up to 8%). But no matter the variety, the type of alcohol in Twisted Tea remains the same — it’s always a malt beverage.
Why It Matters What Kind of Alcohol Is in Your Drink
Understanding what alcohol is in Twisted Tea can be helpful for a few reasons. First, it helps consumers make informed decisions based on their dietary needs. For example, because it contains malted barley, Twisted Tea is not gluten-free, which is something people with celiac disease or gluten sensitivity need to consider.
Second, if you're watching your calorie intake or comparing beverages by how they're made, knowing that Twisted Tea is a malt beverage — rather than a hard tea made with vodka — can influence your choice.
Is Twisted Tea Considered Beer?
This is a common question, and the answer is a bit nuanced. While Twisted Tea isn’t a beer in the traditional sense — it doesn’t taste like beer and isn’t marketed as beer — it falls under the beer category legally and in terms of production. That’s because it’s brewed and fermented from malted grains and doesn’t contain distilled spirits. It’s classified as a flavored malt beverage, just like many popular hard seltzers or coolers.
Final Thoughts
So, the next time you're enjoying a cold can of Twisted Tea and someone asks, what alcohol is in Twisted Tea? — you’ll know exactly what to say. It’s a malt-based alcohol, brewed from fermented barley, much like beer. It may taste like iced tea with a splash of vodka or rum, but it’s all malt — no spirits involved.