What is Voodoo Tea Made Of? Understanding the Different Blends

November 13, 2025 •

4 min read

The name 'Voodoo Tea' is not a reference to a single traditional brew from any religious practice but a marketing term applied to several different commercial and cocktail products. Therefore, what is voodoo tea made of varies widely depending on the specific brand or recipe you encounter.

Quick Summary

The composition of various products marketed as 'voodoo tea' differs significantly, from tropical fruit black teas and color-changing green teas to potent alcoholic hard teas and vibrant rum-based cocktails.

Key Points

Diverse Products: The name 'Voodoo Tea' refers to several different commercial and cocktail products, not a single traditional recipe.
Commercial Tea Blends: Some versions, like from Culinary Teas or Yum Cha, are non-alcoholic herbal or black teas with tropical fruits, flowers, and other botanicals.
Alcoholic Hard Tea: Voodoo Ranger Hardcharged Tea is a 7% ABV flavored malt beverage made with real tea, available in flavors like Lemon and Peach.
Rum Cocktails: 'Voodoo Tea' also names cocktails, typically made with white or Haitian rum, blue curaçao, and iced tea.
Marketing, Not Culture: The use of the name is a marketing strategy to create brand mystique and is not linked to traditional Voodoo religious practices.
Color-Changing Option: Yum Cha Tea Company's 'Blue Voodoo Tea' is notable for its color change from blue to purple or red when citrus is added.

The Diverse Compositions of 'Voodoo Tea'

Despite its evocative name, 'Voodoo Tea' does not refer to a single, culturally significant beverage but is instead a marketing label for a variety of products. The ingredients depend entirely on the specific manufacturer or bartender. The common thread is the name's appeal, leveraging the mystique associated with Voodoo to create a captivating brand identity. It's crucial to understand the distinct types to know what you are actually drinking.

Commercial Herbal and Fruit-Infused Blends

Several tea companies offer their own versions of 'Voodoo Tea,' typically focusing on exotic and flavorful ingredients. These are caffeine-free or contain low levels of caffeine, and their appeal lies in their unique taste and visual presentation.

Culinary Teas' Voodoo Tea

One of the most well-known blends is the 'Voodoo Tea' from Culinary Teas, which is a black tea mixed with tropical flavors. It's designed to be a full-bodied and fruity beverage.

Ingredients: Black tea, coconut pieces, mango pieces, papaya pieces, lime leaves, and a selection of flower petals including calendula, jasmine, sunflower, and safflower.

Yum Cha Tea Company's Blue Voodoo Tea

A different type of commercial blend is the 'Blue Voodoo Tea' by Yum Cha Tea Company, which is a green tea blend famous for its striking color-changing properties. The color is naturally vibrant blue but shifts to purple or red when citrus is added.

Ingredients: Sencha green tea, goji berries, lemongrass, pomegranate seeds, cornflower blossoms, and butterfly pea flowers.

Blue Durango's Charmed VooDoo Iced Tea

This version is an herbal iced tea that boasts a ruby-red color and a balanced, botanical flavor profile. It is a ready-to-drink beverage, brewed and canned for convenience.

Ingredients: A blend of hibiscus, fruit, grasses, and other botanicals.

Alcoholic 'Hardcharged' Tea

On the other end of the spectrum, some companies use the 'Voodoo' name for alcoholic beverages. The most prominent example is the Voodoo Ranger line from New Belgium Brewing.

Voodoo Ranger Hardcharged Tea

This product is a spiked iced tea with a significant alcohol content (7% ABV). It is not a traditional tea but a flavored malt beverage.

Original Lemon: Brewed with real tea and lemon for a classic taste.
Peach: A sweeter, fruitier option with a peach flavor.
Tiger's Blood: Combines strawberry and watermelon for a fruity blast.
Other Flavors: Other varieties, like pineapple, Razz Pop, and a Half & Half (tea and lemonade) blend, are also available in variety packs.

Cocktail Recipes and Mixed Drinks

The 'voodoo tea' name is also applied to several cocktail recipes, each with its own specific formula. These recipes create unique mixed drinks that are different from both the commercial tea blends and the hard seltzer options.

Rum and Curaçao Cocktail

This is a cocktail recipe often found on food and drink websites. It is known for its eerie, blue-tinged appearance.

Ingredients: White rum, blue curaçao liqueur, and chilled, sweetened tea.
Preparation: Fill a tall glass with ice. Pour 1 oz white rum and 0.5 oz blue curaçao. Top with chilled iced tea and stir well.

Haitian Rum Cocktail

An alternative cocktail recipe, such as the one from Absolut Drinks, uses a different set of ingredients to create a spicy, rum-based drink.

Ingredients: Haitian rum, apple juice, sweet vermouth, lime juice, simple syrup, and a cinnamon cane for garnish.
Preparation: This version is shaken with ice and strained into a glass.

Comparison of Different 'Voodoo Tea' Types


Feature	Commercial Blends	Alcoholic Hard Tea	Rum-Based Cocktail
Base	Black tea, green tea, or herbal tisane	Flavored Malt Beverage, Real Tea	Brewed Tea, Rum
Key Ingredients	Fruit pieces (mango, coconut), flowers, herbs, butterfly pea flower	Real tea extract, sucrose, various fruit flavors	White rum, blue curaçao, or Haitian rum
Alcohol Content	Non-alcoholic	7% ABV	Medium (varies by pour)
Primary Purpose	Flavorful, exotic hot or iced tea	Ready-to-drink alcoholic refreshment	Mixed drink served at bars or parties
Cultural Context	Primarily marketing, no cultural significance	Marketing gimmick by a modern brewery	Cocktail recipe, no cultural significance

Conclusion: Separating Marketing from Tradition

What is voodoo tea made of is not a single, consistent answer. As shown, the term applies to a wide range of beverages, from a tropical fruit black tea to a potent, canned alcoholic drink. These products leverage the 'voodoo' name for branding purposes, creating a sense of mystique or exoticism, but they are not connected to the genuine practices of the Voodoo religion found in West Africa or the diaspora. For the consumer, this means the term is a cue to investigate the specific product's ingredients rather than assuming a singular definition. Whether you are after a color-changing herbal brew or a boozy spiked iced tea, the market offers a 'voodoo tea' to suit your taste. For more about the cultural practices often misportrayed in pop culture, see the New Orleans tourism site.

Frequently Asked Questions

There are several types, including non-alcoholic herbal or fruit-infused blends (like Culinary Teas), alcoholic hard teas (Voodoo Ranger), and cocktail recipes (using rum and blue curaçao).

No, the term 'voodoo tea' is a modern marketing creation and has no connection to the traditional rituals or practices of the Voodoo religion.

It depends on the product. Some commercial versions are non-alcoholic herbal teas, while others, like Voodoo Ranger Hardcharged Tea, are alcoholic malt beverages.

A popular recipe involves combining chilled, sweetened tea with white rum and a splash of blue curaçao over ice in a tall glass.

The color-changing effect comes from the butterfly pea flower, which is a natural ingredient in the blend. Adding citrus, like a slice of lemon, alters the pH and changes the color.

Voodoo Ranger Hardcharged Tea is a flavored malt beverage, not a traditional beer. It is made with real tea but has an alcohol content of 7% ABV.

Authentic, traditional voodoo practices do not involve a specific 'voodoo tea' drink sold commercially. Any products using the name are for flavor and marketing, not religious or spiritual purposes.