This New Canned Cocktail Combines Two Afternoon Favorites

I can’t do alcohol during the day. I don’t understand how other people can. It completely saps my energy, and I have too much to do! Life stops for no man, woman, beast, or pint of beer. HOWEVER. When I retire (or, if I retire, considering the state of modern economics), I think I’ll become rather partial to an afternoon gin and tonic, much like my grandmother before me. A classy choice. Light, refreshing, bitter, herbaceous; just right to pep you up (or send you off to sleep prematurely).

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I suspect a new canned cocktail would like you to consider doing the same thing – but it’s also taking gin in a slightly different direction, by combining it with another mid-afternoon favorite. Introducing: G&Tea.

G&Tea

G&Tea is a new ready-to-drink beverage launched by entrepreneur Alex Young. The drink is, of course, a twist on gin and tonic, insofar as there’s no tonic to be seen. Instead, G&Tea combines gin with South African caffeine-free rooibos tea and honey to create a hard tea that leads with earthy, woody, sweet flavors – but still with an ever-so-slight bitterness, to remind you of a classic G&T (although rooibos is notably way less bitter than other teas). 

The new beverage is inspired by Young’s childhood near South Africa’s Cederberg region, which, as its press release says, is the only place in the world where rooibos grows naturally. It was also prompted by his desire to create an RTD beverage that was built with recognizable, natural components. “People are paying closer attention to what they consume. They want quality not just in the taste, but in the ingredients,” he says. “We wanted to create something transparent and thoughtfully made, using clean ingredients that each contribute something meaningful to the finished drink.”

Flavors!

G&Tea will launch with two varieties: Its Original, which mixes London Dry gin with rooibos and clover honey, and its Passion Fruit, which takes all of those ingredients and mixes in passion fruit for a fruity twist. Both will be 7% ABV.

And Where Can I Get It?

Well, currently, you can’t. G&Tea will launch in Illinois, and as its press release says, it’s currently seeking relationships with retailers, distributors, and hospitality partners. For now, you can sign up for its mailing list to be kept in the loop. This feels like a pretty original proposition for the canned cocktail market, though, and people are primed for new options more than ever, considering that RTD beverages are now the top-selling alcohol in the US. So, Young could have a winner here.