Sun Cruiser Iced Tea Variety Pack

Sun Cruiser Iced Tea Variety Pack is a spiked tea made in California. It's a ready-to-drink mixed pack, so expect several tea-based flavors in one carton. At 4.5% ABV and 15 IBU, it sits in the range of a standard lager. The bitterness is low, so the tea character, not hop bite, should carry the flavor. Spiked teas in this style usually pair black-tea tannin with citrus or fruit sweetness. Check each can for the exact flavor, since the details here don't list individual varieties. These drink best cold, straight from the fridge or an ice bath, at roughly 36 to 40°F. Cold keeps the tea's tannic edge crisp and stops any sweetness from turning syrupy. Drinking from the can is fine for a cooler or the backyard. For a more composed pour, use a tall pint glass or a Collins glass over a few ice cubes, with a lemon wheel or a mint sprig if the flavor suits it. Ice will dilute a 4.5% drink quickly, so use large cubes and keep the pour short. Styles like this are made to drink as they are, so mixing isn't necessary. If you do want to build on one, a splash over crushed ice with a squeeze of fresh lemon or lime brightens a sweeter flavor. A lemon variety can also go into a pitcher with sliced citrus and ice for a batch serve. Skip anything strong or heavily flavored, which would bury the tea. For food, the low bitterness and light body suit simple, savory dishes. Grilled chicken, smoked sausage, barbecue, fried chicken, and salty snacks like pretzels or kettle chips all work. The tea's tannin cuts through grease and char the way unsweetened iced tea does. Fruit-leaning flavors also go well with sharp cheeses, a summer salad with vinaigrette, or spicy tacos, where the sweetness cools the heat.