Not too long ago, I tasted and tested numerous Arnold Palmers with the hope of finding the best. After an exhaustive search, I regrettably came to the conclusion that Tazo was the winner with their Black Tea and Lemonade. After further review, however, I just can’t get over the fact that Tazo wants me to buy a 13 oz. beverage when standard size for these bad boys is 16-20 oz. So I pretty much stopped buying it, and in the interest of integrity I feel the need to write about three different iced tea beverages that have won my heart, and that offer a size more agreeable to a writer for a blog called “Epic Portions.” Take your shot glass size and sell it at Starbucks, Tazo, I’m ending our short but tumultuous relationship. I have moved on, and like Hef, I have three to love now.
Sweet Leaf Organic Sweet Tea
Sweet Leaf Original Sweet Tea
One day, I was at my local Kroger at the “Nature’s Market” section, and was looking for Sweet Leaf’s Half and Half. Sadly, they were out, so I chanced on their Sweet Tea. Not normally a sweet tea drinker, I not only found that I liked their Sweet Tea, but it is better than their half and half. This is my new go-to iced tea, and it is fantastic. Operating out of Austin, TX, Sweet Leaf Organic’s Sweet Tea is their original concoction. It gives you all the flavor of the tea with just the right amount of sweetness, not masking the tea flavor but enhancing it. Many of you responded to my first post on this topic with disapproval of high fructose corn syrup, or “100% Natural” Peace Tea’s use of sucralose. What I can say to you, gentle reader, is try this beverage! You will not be disappointed. Even the cute hippie girl cashier at Whole Foods commented on how great it was when I bought it the other day.
Honest Tea Half and Half
The good people at Honest Tea were kind enough to point out to me that they have an Arnold Palmer set to come onto the scene after reading my previous tea-related post. In the interest of fairness, they sent me a bottle of their new Half and Half for yours truly to sample. I can report to all who are interested that their Half and Half is close to perfection. If you are unfamiliar with Honest Tea’s products, let me say that if you have issue with syrupy sweet beverages, you will find Honest Tea’s Half and Half right up your alley. Honest Tea tastes like tea, with a hint of flavor in the background. They applied the same formula to their Half and Half, and it works quite well, with the sweetness from the lemonade half working with the tea flavor, and not overpowering it. I am looking forward to the arrival of Honest Tea’s Half and Half on the shelves at my local food chopper. They even have a cool new bottle. Until that day arrives, if I have a craving for Honest Tea I will have to be satisfied with…
Honest Tea Peach White Tea
HonestTea Peach White, heaven in a bottle.
I was looking for the new Half and Half in the cool bottle when I saw Honest Tea’s Peach White Tea on the shelf. When done right, the addition of peach to a beverage is exquisite. And Honest Tea has done it right, this drink is a little slice of heaven. True to form for Honest Tea, the tea flavor stands out, but the peach is subtle yet vibrant. Drink this and compare it to Peace Iced Tea and tell me which one is 100% Natural. No competition.
Heading into summer, it is nice to have new drinks for the journey. All three of these are the best of the best. Do yourself a favor, ditch Arizona or Peace or Lipton and give one (or all) of these a shot. You can always go back, but I bet you won’t.