Pop the cork on sparkling TEA
Believe it or not, it’s the new alcohol-free tipple – and even wine buffs are fizzing with excitement
We Brits get through more than 150 million cups of tea a day. We pride ourselves on being world experts on the stuff.
But a new trend is set to put a few tea aficionados’ noses out of joint. the hottest way to drink tea in 2020 is cold. And bubbly.
sparkling tea is the brainchild of Danish wine sommelier Jacob Kocemba and Bo sten Hansen, co-founders of the Copenhagen sparkling tea Company, who wanted to create a credible nonalcoholic alternative to wine.
they set about blending different types of tea, from delicate white teas to fuller- flavoured black teas, soaking the leaves first in hot water, then cold water before adding grape juice, fresh lemon juice and, finally, bubbles.
the Queen’s favourite grocer, Fortnum & Mason, was the first to spot sparkling tea’s potential in the UK. it launched its exclusive Fortnum’s sparkling tea blend, made by Kocemba, last year.
According to Zia Zareem-slade, Fortnum’s customer experience director, sales have surpassed all expectations. ‘Our sparkling tea is proving popular for customers who love tea and for those drinking less alcohol and wanting to make healthier choices.’
Another leading drinks retailer, Bath-based Great Western Wines, reports a similar success story. ‘ it’s definitely the best nonalcoholic alternative to wine we’ve ever come across,’ says business manager edward Mercer.
‘We launched the range last October and sales went ballistic. Customers have really taken to the drink, they’re fascinated by the flavours. if they’re looking for something non-alcoholic as a genuine alternative to wine, this is definitely it.’
so, if you fancy swapping your usual brew for a glass of cold sparkling tea, Femail’s drinks expert Helen McGinn picks the best to try.
AS REFRESHING AS A PROPER CUPPA
Fortnum’s Sparkling Tea £16.95, Fortnum & Mason
MADE from a blend of eight of Fortnum’s organic teas, including Darjeeling, Japanese Matcha and Chinese silver Needle, this looks like a grown up bottle of fizz with its cork and smart label. it has about as much caffeine as a normal cup of tea. And, because it’s not wine without the alcohol, it doesn’t taste like anything’s missing. rather, it’s light with citrus, herbal and smoky notes. Most importantly, it’s properly refreshing, as you expect from tea. even if it is cold.
ORGANIC, VEGAN — BUT ‘GREAT WITH SEAFOOD’!
Organic Sparkling Tea Pink, £15.95, Great Western Wine
FROM the Copenhagen sparkling tea Company, this is an organic and vegan blend of white silver Needle tea and two types of Oolong tea. Hibiscus adds a light floral note. its makers say it was made with food in mind, especially fish.
TRICKY BLEND THAT’S LONG ON FLAVOUR
Organic Sparkling Tea Blue, £15.95, Great Western Wine
ACCORDING to Jacob Kocemba, this is the most complex of his range to produce — a blend of 13 teas including green, white, black and herbal. it’s long on flavour, with notes of Jasmine and chamomile, with soft bubbles. there’s a pink version, too, and both are suitable for vegans.
JUST A TOUCH OF TASTY GREEN TEA
Belle & Co Sparkling, £5.99, drydrinker.com
PREVIOUSLY called Bees Knees, this brew has a new name and a new look. it’s cheaper than many, but it has only a small amount of green tea (0.5 per cent) to add flavour and tannin. vegan, and with a rosé version, this will suffice if you want something bubbly and wine-like with no booze.
THE NO-NONSENSE YORKSHIRE BREW
Fitch Sparkling Cold Brew Tea, Rosehip, Hibiscus & Elderflower, 4 x 330ml, £7.99, fitchbrewco.com
THIS young yorkshirebased brewing company produces small batches of cold-brewed, caffeinefree sparkling teas, and is refreshing the iced tea market with its no-nonsense approach.
this one, made with loose-leaf tea, includes rosehip, hibiscus and elderflower flavours. it’s made with natural flavourings and with no added sugars — and there are only 17 calories per 100ml.
LESS SOPHISTICATED, BUT STILL DELICIOUS
San Pellegrino Pesca + Tea, 6 x 250ml, £3.79, Waitrose
THIS sparkling drink is made with organic black tea and italian peach juice, but it’s less sweet than i was expecting. it’s not as sophisticated as a bottle of ‘champagne’ tea, but i’d take this over a can of cola any day. except, maybe, when hungover.