Core Ingredients of Surfside Iced Tea and Vodka
At its heart, Surfside Iced Tea and vodka is a straightforward, clean-tasting cocktail, emphasizing quality ingredients for its simple yet effective profile. The key components are deliberately minimal to produce a crisp, authentic flavor.
Stateside Vodka
The alcoholic base of the beverage is Stateside Vodka, a premium, American-made spirit. Stateside is known for its smoothness and clean finish, which prevents the final product from having a harsh alcoholic aftertaste. It is also gluten-free and crafted through a meticulous distillation process. This choice of vodka is central to Surfside's appeal, catering to drinkers who prioritize quality and a mild spirit flavor.
Real Brewed Tea
Instead of artificial tea flavoring or concentrate, Surfside uses real brewed tea. This is a critical distinction that contributes to the authentic, fresh iced tea taste that customers appreciate. The brewing process ensures a natural tea flavor profile and provides a moderate amount of caffeine, approximately 34mg per 12oz can, for a gentle energy boost.
Natural Flavors and Sweetener
To round out the flavor profile, Surfside incorporates natural flavors. Depending on the specific varietal, this could include notes of lemon, peach, or raspberry. In the case of the classic iced tea flavor, the natural flavors enhance the taste of the brewed tea. Many flavors also contain a sweetener to achieve a balanced sweetness level. While some use artificial sweeteners, the product is consistently marketed as low in sugar, with only about 2 grams per can.
Comparison: Surfside vs. Other Ready-to-Drink Options
Choosing a canned cocktail often comes down to taste, ingredients, and nutritional content. Here's how Surfside stacks up against typical hard seltzers and malt-based alternatives.
| Feature | Surfside Iced Tea + Vodka | Typical Hard Seltzer | Typical Malt-Based Hard Tea |
|---|---|---|---|
| Base Alcohol | Premium Stateside Vodka | Fermented Cane Sugar or Malt | Fermented Malt Base |
| Carbonation | No bubbles (non-carbonated) | Yes | Yes |
| Primary Flavor Source | Real brewed tea and natural flavors | Artificial flavors | Artificial flavors and syrups |
| Calories (per 12oz) | ~100 calories | ~100 calories | Often 150+ calories |
| Sugar Content | Low (around 2g) | Low (around 1-2g) | Often High (15g or more) |
| Taste Profile | Smooth, clean, authentic iced tea | Crisp, light, often artificial fruit | Heavy, sweet, sometimes syrupy |
Surfside's Popular Flavors and Their Specifics
While the original iced tea and vodka blend is a bestseller, Surfside offers several other popular flavors that utilize the same core principles.
- Iced Tea & Lemonade + Vodka: Known as the "Half & Half," this flavor combines real brewed tea and lemonade, plus natural flavors. It maintains the signature non-carbonated profile and 100-calorie count.
- Peach Tea + Vodka: This variant infuses the classic iced tea with natural peach flavors. It provides a slightly sweeter, fruit-forward taste while staying low-calorie and bubble-free.
- Raspberry Tea + Vodka: Featuring real brewed tea and natural raspberry flavors, this newer flavor offers a berry twist on the classic. It is also non-carbonated and low in sugar.
The Low-Calorie, Low-Sugar Appeal
One of the most attractive aspects of Surfside's ingredient list is its nutritional content. With only 100 calories and 2 grams of sugar per 12-ounce can, it aligns with a health-conscious lifestyle. This is achieved by using a high-quality vodka base, which has fewer calories than traditional malt liquors, and a minimal amount of sweetener. The use of real brewed tea also means the flavor doesn't need to be masked by excessive sugar.
The Significance of Stateside Vodka
The partnership with Stateside Vodka is a crucial element that distinguishes Surfside from competitors. Stateside's dedication to quality distillation, including kosher certification and gluten-free processes, elevates the final product. The seven-times distilled process ensures a smooth, neutral spirit that allows the real tea and natural fruit flavors to shine through without being overpowered. This commitment to a premium base spirit ensures a consistently high-quality cocktail.
Surfside's Non-Carbonated Advantage
Surfside's choice to be non-carbonated is a major point of differentiation. In a market saturated with bubbly hard seltzers, Surfside offers a smooth-drinking experience. This is particularly appealing for those who experience bloating or prefer the classic, flat texture of traditional iced tea. The absence of bubbles also means the product's flavor profile is more direct and less diluted.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the ingredients in Surfside Ice Tea and vodka are purposefully simple and high-quality: Stateside Vodka, real brewed tea, natural flavors, and a sweetener. This combination results in a low-calorie, low-sugar, and non-carbonated ready-to-drink cocktail that delivers a clean, authentic flavor. By prioritizing premium vodka and real brewed tea, Surfside has successfully carved a niche in the crowded ready-to-drink market, offering a genuinely refreshing alternative to carbonated and malt-based beverages.
Mixing your own Surfside-style cocktail
For those who enjoy a DIY approach, a simple cocktail can be made at home to replicate the Surfside experience. Combine chilled high-quality vodka with freshly brewed, unsweetened iced tea. Add a dash of simple syrup or a low-calorie sweetener to taste, and finish with a squeeze of fresh lemon juice or a slice of peach. Garnish with a mint sprig for an elevated twist. This allows for total control over the sweetness and strength, mimicking the clean flavor profile of the canned version.
Ingredient Sourcing and Quality Control
Surfside maintains a high standard of quality control, ensuring consistency across all batches. Sourcing real tea and partnering with its parent company, Stateside Vodka, allows for tight supervision of the entire production process. The emphasis on natural flavors over artificial ones also indicates a focus on providing a product with a more authentic taste experience. This attention to detail from a regional brand has helped it build a loyal following.
Sustainability and Ethical Considerations
As part of Stateside Brands, Surfside aligns with the parent company's operational ethics. While the ingredient sourcing details are specific, a focus on transparency and quality is generally valued by consumers. The use of aluminum cans is also a positive aspect, as aluminum is infinitely recyclable, contributing to a more sustainable packaging option compared to glass or single-use plastics.
Flavor Expansion and Consumer Feedback
The expansion of Surfside's flavor offerings, from the original iced tea to lemonade, peach, and raspberry, demonstrates the brand's responsiveness to consumer demand. By introducing new options while maintaining the core formula of real ingredients and low calories, Surfside appeals to a wider audience without sacrificing its core identity. This iterative development process, guided by customer feedback, is a key driver of the brand's success.
The Ready-to-Drink Cocktail Market Context
Surfside's place in the market is defined by its differentiation from other major categories like hard seltzers and malt beverages. It targets consumers who are looking for a less-fizzy, more flavorful and authentic-tasting option. The low-calorie and low-sugar profile caters to the growing demand for healthier alcoholic beverage alternatives. Its non-carbonated nature makes it a more accessible choice for various social settings, from beach days to barbecues.
The Future of Surfside and the RTD Space
As the ready-to-drink market continues to evolve, Surfside is well-positioned to maintain its growth trajectory by focusing on its unique selling points: real ingredients, premium vodka, and the non-carbonated format. Continuing to innovate with new flavors and potentially expanding into new regions will be key to its sustained success. The brand’s commitment to quality over fizziness is likely to resonate with consumers for years to come.
Stateside Vodka is the premium base spirit used in all Surfside Iced Tea and vodka products.
