Sun Cruiser Classic Lemonade

Sun Cruiser Classic Lemonade sits in the spiked tea category of ready-to-drink drinks, and the name says it is the lemonade-style expression. The label details we have don't list an ABV, a base spirit or a tasting profile, so what follows is what drinks of this type typically deliver. Expect brewed-tea tannin and a light tea bitterness running under a tart-sweet lemon front, closer to a Southern-style tea-and-lemonade than a clear, sharp citrus soda. The sweetness is usually the headline, with the lemon keeping it from turning syrupy. This style does its best work cold. Chill it thoroughly in the refrigerator, or put it in an ice bath for twenty minutes before opening. Warmth flattens the lemon and leaves the sweetness heavy. For a glass pour, use a tall highball or Collins glass with plenty of ice, and a lemon wheel or a few mint leaves to lift the aroma. Drinking from the can works for casual settings like the porch, the dock or a cooler, and a stemless pint glass is a fine middle ground if you want to see the color. Because it is already built, it needs very little help. If it reads too sweet, top a glass with a splash of plain or lemon sparkling water, or squeeze in half a fresh lemon to restore the acidity. A few mint leaves or a slice of cucumber suit it well. You can also pour several cans over ice into a pitcher with sliced lemon and fresh herbs for a group, which stretches it without turning it into a full cocktail project. For food, think of what usually goes with iced tea and lemonade: barbecue chicken or pulled pork, fried fish, crab cakes, and grilled corn. The citrus and tea tannin cut through smoke and fat, and the sweetness handles salty or mildly spicy dishes. Light salads with vinaigrette, deli sandwiches and salted snacks like kettle chips or pretzels also work. Very sweet desserts tend to compete with it, so keep it away from those.