Is Twisted Tea your go-to drink of choice? Before you reach for a can of this tasty, hard iced tea, you may want to know the caffeine content so you know how much to drink. While many drinks tell you their caffeine amounts on their labels, determining whether or not there is caffeine in Twisted Tea requires some additional research. In this blog post, we’ll take a deep dive into the ingredients and nutritional facts behind Twisted Tea to answer all answers related to caffeine content. 

What is Twisted Tea?

Twisted Tea is a brand of flavored iced tea that is produced and distributed by the Boston Beer Company, the makers of Samuel Adams beer. Twisted Tea was introduced in 2001, with several flavors later being introduced, including Original, Half & Half, Raspberry, Peach, Lemon, Mango, and Berry.

The company describes Twisted Tea as a "delicious, refreshing blend of real iced tea and a twist of natural flavor." The tea is typically served over ice and is often used as an ingredient in cocktails. 

Ingredients in Twisted Tea 

 The exact amount of each ingredient may vary slightly depending on the specific flavor of Twisted Tea. However, in general, each can contains:

• Water
• Sugar
• Black tea
• Natural flavors
• Citric acid
• Sodium citrate
• Caramel color

Does Twisted Tea Have Caffeine?

Yes, Twisted Tea contains caffeine. The caffeine comes from the black tea leaves in the drink. These tea leaves also give Twisted Tea its flavor and also provide some health benefits, despite its alcohol content.  

How Much Caffeine Does Twisted Tea Have?

An average serving of Twisted Tea is 12 ounces, which contains approximately 30 mg of caffeine. This is lower than average when you compare it to Baja Blast’s caffeine content and other popular drinks like root beer.

According to the FDA, the average safe amount of caffeine consumption is 400 mg. Therefore, drinking more than one can of Twisted Tea won’t cause many caffeine-related side effects. 

Twisted Tea Caffeine Content

Why Twisted Tea is Caffeinated 

Twisted Tea is caffeinated, because the black tea used in the production of Twisted Tea contains caffeine, which is a naturally occurring stimulant found in the leaves of the tea plant (Camellia sinensis).

Thus, black tea leaves are the main source of caffeine for all Twisted Tea products. Currently, there are no caffeine-free flavors. 

Twisted Tea Side Effects

Like any beverage that contains caffeine and alcohol, Twisted Tea can have some side effects, although these may vary from person to person. Here are some possible side effects of consuming Twisted Tea:

It's worth noting that these side effects are generally associated with consuming caffeine and alcohol in excess. To minimize the risk of these side effects, it is important to consume Twisted Tea in moderation and to follow the recommended serving sizes.

Do All Twisted Teas Have Caffeine? 

Yes, all Twisted Tea flavors have caffeine. Each variant tends to have the same amount, which is around 30 mg. However, there are certain exceptions. For example, Twisted Tea Half and Half is made up of half lemonade and half tea.

Because of this, it can be assumed the Twisted Tea Half and Half contains around half the caffeine content of an original Twisted Tea. There is also Twisted Tea Light, but this variant is very low in calories and has no added sugar.

Final Thoughts

Twisted Tea is one of the rare drinks that contains caffeine. When you look at most beverages (Sierra Mist, Ginger Ale, Powerade, etc.), most won’t have any caffeine in their nutritional contents.

But if you’re looking for an energy boost, drinking Twisted Teas won’t be your best bet. First off, Twisted Tea only contains 30 milligrams, which is far below most drinks. Furthermore, alcohol counteracts the effect of caffeine, so you should opt for something more traditional like coffee, tea, or PZAZ energy spray.