Surfside Green Tea Variety 8Pk is an eight-can assortment of non-carbonated, vodka-based green tea cocktails at 4.5% ABV. Named Brewbound's Beyond Beer Company of the Year for 2024, this lineup pairs 100% real brewed green tea with Stateside's 91-point vodka to deliver a still, clean-drinking alternative to malt-based ready-to-drink options. Quick Facts: ABV: 4.5% | Origin: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania | Style: Vodka Green Tea RTD | Distillery: Stateside Production & Heritage Stateside, based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, built its reputation on a vodka distilled seven times in pot stills from 100% U.S.-grown corn — a process designed to strip impurities while retaining a smooth, slightly sweet character. The Green Tea Variety 8Pk uses that same vodka as its foundation, blending it with 100% real brewed green tea rather than flavored extracts or malt liquor. The result is a flat, non-carbonated format that mirrors the experience of drinking actual iced tea, setting it apart from the fizzy RTD cocktails that dominate the market. Tasting Notes Aroma: Earthy premium green tea rises first, followed by a gentle sweetness of honey and ginseng. Depending on the variant, bright peach or creamy mango notes layer on top without overpowering the tea base. Taste: The Original Green Tea leads with a clean, authentic tea character enhanced by subtle honey and ginseng. The Peach expression adds bright, fruity notes that play off the tea's natural astringency, while the Mango variant introduces a creamy sweetness that complements the vegetal quality of the green tea. Across all flavors, the vodka base stays remarkably transparent — present for structure but never harsh. Finish: Light and refreshing, with lingering tea tannins and a dry, gently honeyed fade. The absence of carbonation leaves a smooth, clean close rather than a sugary aftertaste. How to Drink Surfside Green Tea Serve chilled straight from the can — no mixing required. The still format and balanced sweetness make it ideal on its own, though dropping a can over crushed ice with a lemon wedge sharpens the tea character on hot days. For those who want to build on the base: use the Original Green Tea as a foundation for an Arnold Palmer Spiked by adding a splash of fresh lemonade; pour the Peach variant into a Georgia Mule over ice with ginger beer and lime; or blend the Mango expression with coconut cream and ice for a quick Tropical Tea Freeze. Best For Stocking a cooler for beach days, pool parties, or barbecues Drinkers seeking a lower-sugar, vodka-based alternative to malt beverages Sampling multiple green tea flavors before committing to a single-flavor pack Gifting to someone who enjoys iced tea but wants a sessionable adult version Frequently Asked Questions What does Surfside Green Tea taste like? It tastes like authentic brewed green tea with subtle honey and ginseng sweetness, supported by a clean vodka backbone at 4.5% ABV. The variety pack includes fruity twists like peach and mango that layer additional flavor without masking the tea. How does Surfside Green Tea compare to Twisted Tea? Surfside uses a vodka base distilled from 100% U.S.-grown corn, while Twisted Tea is built on a malt liquor base. Surfside is also non-carbonated and marketed as a lower-sugar option, giving it a flatter, cleaner profile closer to actual brewed tea. Is Surfside Green Tea good for casual sipping? Yes — at 4.5% ABV with a still, non-carbonated body, these are designed to be sessionable and easy to drink straight from the can without any mixing. Where is Surfside Green Tea made? Surfside is produced by Stateside, a distillery located in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The vodka base is pot-distilled seven times from 100% U.S.-grown corn at their Pennsylvania facility. What foods pair well with Surfside Green Tea? The Original Green Tea complements sushi and light seafood, where its honey-ginseng notes echo the clean flavors. Peach pairs well with grilled chicken or pork sliders, cutting through richness with its bright acidity. Mango works alongside spicy Thai or Vietnamese dishes, where its creamy sweetness balances heat. All variants suit casual fare like chips and guacamole or a charcuterie spread. What sizes does Surfside Green Tea come in? This product is sold as an 8-pack of cans, making it a convenient grab-and-go format for groups or variety seekers. Is Surfside Green Tea worth the price? Positioned in the accessible, everyday RTD tier, the variety pack delivers strong value by offering multiple flavor profiles in a single purchase, backed by a 91-point rated vodka base that outperforms most malt-based competitors in its price range. Why Surfside Green Tea? The combination of a seven-times pot-distilled vodka base and 100% real brewed green tea puts this variety pack in a different category from the malt-liquor RTDs it competes against on the shelf. VinePair recognized the broader Surfside brand as a Rising Drinks Brand in 2024, and Brewbound named it Beyond Beer Company of the Year the same year — both signals that the industry sees genuine differentiation here, not just trend-chasing. The non-carbonated format is a deliberate choice that appeals to drinkers who find seltzer-style cocktails fatiguing, and the variety pack lets newcomers explore the range without overcommitting. For anyone who has written off canned cocktails as sugar-heavy or artificial-tasting, Surfside's green tea line is worth a serious reassessment.
