Yes, There Is Zero Sugar Hard Iced Tea: Your Guide to Low-Calorie Options

January 3, 2026 •

4 min read

With growing interest in healthier alcoholic alternatives, many beverage companies have developed new products. If you're asking, "Is there a zero sugar hard iced tea?", the answer is yes, with several brands offering delicious, low-calorie options.

Quick Summary

This guide covers several zero sugar hard iced tea brands, detailing features, flavor profiles, and carbohydrate content. It compares key factors, offering a comprehensive overview of the market for consumers looking for low-sugar choices.

Key Points

Availability: Many brands offer zero sugar hard iced teas.
Variety of Bases: Different bases are used, such as malt, hard seltzer, or spirits like vodka.
Sweetening Methods: Brands use various methods to achieve a zero-sugar profile, from not using any sweeteners to using stevia and erythritol.
Low Calorie Options: Many are also low in calories, making them appealing to health-conscious consumers.
Alternative to Hard Seltzer: This is a good alternative for those who prefer less carbonation or more tea flavor.
DIY Potential: You can easily make your own by mixing unsweetened tea with a zero-carb spirit.
Taste Profiles Vary: Different options are available, so trying different brands is recommended.

The Rise of Health-Conscious Drinking

Consumers are looking for lower-calorie, lower-sugar options, which has driven innovation in the beverage industry. This trend extends into alcoholic drinks. People want alternatives to sugary cocktails and beers. Zero sugar hard iced teas are examples of these new products. They appeal to people on keto or low-carb diets, or those wanting to reduce their sugar intake without sacrificing taste.

Key Brands in the Zero Sugar Hard Iced Tea Market

Several brands are leading the low-sugar hard tea market. These companies use natural flavors and alternative sweeteners. Some prominent brands are:

Highball Hard Tea: Highball offers a craft-brewed, hard tea seltzer with zero grams of sugar and 95 calories. They use organic and non-GMO ingredients. They have flavors such as Lemon, Mango, White Peach, and Half and Half. This brand focuses on clean ingredients and minimal sugar.
Lipton Hard Iced Tea Zero Sugar: In August 2025, Lipton and Sunrise Brewing announced a new line of Lipton Hard Iced Tea Zero Sugar flavors, hitting the market with a sessionable 5% ABV and 95 calories per can. These are brewed with real Lipton tea. They come in Lemon, Peach, Raspberry, and Half & Half flavors. Lipton brings a trusted brand to the zero-sugar hard tea space.
Nude Hard Iced Tea: Nude Hard Iced Tea, a Canadian brand, emphasizes its "clean" profile. It has zero carbonation, caffeine, sugars, sweeteners, and carbs. They offer Lemon, Peach, and Raspberry flavors. The cans are matte gold. This product appeals to those who don't like carbonated drinks or sweeteners.
High Noon Vodka Iced Tea: High Noon's product has zero added sugar and 90 calories. It's made with real vodka and real iced tea. It's a non-carbonated option, with flavors such as Original, Lemon, Raspberry, and Peach. This has a different profile than malt-based hard teas.
Lucky Bastard Zero Sugar Saskatoon Berry Iced Tea: This product from Lucky Bastard Distillers is a vodka-based, carbonated cocktail that uses erythritol and stevia for a lightly sweetened, zero-sugar profile. It has 110 calories. Fans like the balanced flavor.

How Brands Achieve Zero Sugar Flavor

Making a zero sugar hard iced tea involves balancing tea flavors with alcohol and a sugar substitute. Manufacturers use several methods:

Natural and Artificial Sweeteners: Some brands, like Lucky Bastard, use a combination of natural sweeteners like stevia and erythritol. These are often preferred by health-conscious consumers. Other brands may use artificial sweeteners, which are also calorie-free.
Flavoring: Brands focus on using natural fruit flavors and essences instead of sugar. Nude emphasizes its use of all-natural flavors.
Real Brewed Tea: Brands like Lipton and High Noon use real brewed tea, which provides an authentic tea flavor.

Comparison Table: Zero Sugar Hard Iced Tea Options


Brand	Base	Sugar	Carbs	Calories	Flavors	Notes
Lipton Hard Iced Tea Zero Sugar	Malt	0g (Approx.)	Low (Approx.)	95	Lemon, Peach, Raspberry, Half & Half	Brewed with real Lipton tea.
Highball Hard Tea	Hard Seltzer	0g	Very Low	95	Lemon, Mango, White Peach, Half & Half	Organic and non-GMO ingredients.
Nude Hard Iced Tea	Vodka	0g	0g	Low	Lemon, Peach, Raspberry	Non-carbonated, no caffeine, no sweeteners.
High Noon Vodka Iced Tea	Vodka/Seltzer	0g (Added)	5g	90	Original, Lemon, Raspberry, Peach	Non-carbonated, real vodka, real fruit juice.
Lucky Bastard Zero Sugar Iced Tea	Vodka	0g	Low	110	Saskatoon Berry	Carbonated, uses erythritol and stevia.

Hard Iced Tea vs. Hard Seltzer: What's the Difference?

Hard iced teas and hard seltzers both target the low-calorie and low-sugar market, but they differ. Hard seltzers are typically made from fermented cane sugar, with fruit juice or artificial flavors, and are carbonated. Hard iced teas are often made with a malt base (like Lipton) or a spirit base (like High Noon or Nude) combined with real brewed tea. The use of real tea provides a more complex flavor profile. The choice depends on the preference for a tea-based flavor versus a fruit-forward, bubbly drink.

Making Your Own Low-Sugar Hard Iced Tea

Creating one at home is easy if you want a personalized touch. A common method is to add a zero-carb spirit to unsweetened iced tea. A vodka-based version is simple. Mix unsweetened black tea, a shot of vodka or gin, and a squeeze of lemon or a few drops of a zero-calorie sweetener. This lets you experiment with tea types and flavorings.

Conclusion: Making the Right Choice

Zero sugar hard iced tea is a growing category in the alcoholic beverage market. Brands like Lipton, Highball, Nude, and High Noon are leading the way. Consider your preferences when choosing a product. The comparison table helps in understanding the differences. Creating your own is a customizable alternative. The availability of zero sugar hard iced tea means you can make healthier drinking choices. You can explore the Highball Hard Tea products by visiting their official site.

Frequently Asked Questions

No, zero sugar hard iced teas are not calorie-free. The alcohol itself contains calories, and most brands, like Highball and Lipton, have around 95-110 calories per serving. The zero sugar claim refers to no added sugars.

The alcohol base varies. Some use a malt base, similar to beer (e.g., Lipton Hard Iced Tea), while others use a spirit base, most commonly vodka (e.g., High Noon, Nude, Lucky Bastard).

Carbohydrate content varies by brand. Some, like Nude Hard Iced Tea, have zero carbs, while others may contain a few grams. High Noon Vodka Iced Tea contains 5 grams of carbs.

Some zero-sugar products can have an aftertaste, but this is not universal. Brands like Lucky Bastard received reviews praising their lack of a noticeable aftertaste. The intensity of the aftertaste depends on the sweeteners used.

You can find these at liquor stores, grocery stores, and online retailers. Availability varies by region.

Many zero sugar hard iced teas are keto-friendly. However, always check the nutritional information of specific products to ensure they meet dietary requirements.

Hard iced tea is a ready-to-drink (RTD) beverage from a commercial brand. A spiked iced tea cocktail is a mixed drink you prepare yourself. The RTD products offer consistency, while homemade versions provide full control over ingredients and flavor.