Sun Cruiser Variety Pack 12PK

Sun Cruiser Variety Pack 12PK is a 12-can assortment of spirits-based, non-carbonated iced tea vodka drinks at 4.5% ABV in 12 oz slim cans. Named the #1 new RTD brand family of 2024 and winner of Best Alcoholic Beverage at the Bar & Restaurant Expo in Las Vegas, this variety pack bundles four distinct flavors — Classic Tea, Lemonade + Tea, Peach, and Raspberry — three cans of each, all built on a foundation of real brewed black tea and premium gluten-free vodka.

Quick Facts: ABV: 4.5%  |  Origin: Massachusetts, United States  |  Style: Non-Carbonated Vodka Iced Tea RTD  |  Producer: The Boston Beer Company

Production & Heritage

Sun Cruiser comes from The Boston Beer Company, the Massachusetts-based producer founded in 1984 and known for Samuel Adams beer and Truly hard seltzer. What separates Sun Cruiser from the crowded RTD landscape is its commitment to a still, non-carbonated format — while most ready-to-drink cocktails rely on fizz, Sun Cruiser replicates the smooth, flat character of actual brewed iced tea. Each can is made with real brewed black tea, premium gluten-free vodka, real fruit juice (depending on the flavor), and natural flavors, clocking in at just 100 calories and 1 gram of sugar per serving.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: Freshly brewed black tea leads the nose, followed by subtle lemon zest and a faint earthy quality. The impression is clean and inviting without artificial sweetness.

Taste: The Classic Tea opens with robust, well-brewed tea carrying noticeable tannins and a slightly bitter backbone. Mid-palate, lemon juice brightens the profile while restrained sweetness keeps things balanced rather than cloying. The Peach variant layers bright stone fruit against the tea base, the Raspberry leans into berry tartness, and the Lemonade + Tea splits the difference between citrus punch and tannic depth.

Finish: Refreshing and slightly tannic with lingering tea character and a light vodka warmth. The overall impression lands closer to a well-made spiked sweet tea than anything resembling a hard seltzer.

How to Drink Sun Cruiser

Sun Cruiser is designed to be enjoyed straight from the can, chilled — no mixing required. Pour over ice if you prefer a more leisurely pace on a hot afternoon.

• Arnold Palmer Spiked: Combine the Classic Tea or Lemonade + Tea can with a splash of fresh lemonade for a boozy take on the golf-course staple.
• Peach Tea Sangria Punch: Pour the Peach cans into a pitcher with sliced stone fruit and a measure of white wine for a crowd-friendly summer punch.
• Raspberry Tea Collins: Build the Raspberry flavor over ice with a squeeze of fresh lime and a splash of club soda for a lightly effervescent long drink.

Best For

• Stocking a cooler for backyard cookouts and pool days when you want variety without buying four separate packs
• Introducing iced-tea-loving friends to the spirits-based RTD category as an alternative to malt beverages
• Low-calorie, gluten-free social drinking — 100 calories and 1g sugar per can fits a health-conscious approach
• Sampling all four Sun Cruiser flavors before committing to a single-flavor pack

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Sun Cruiser taste like? Sun Cruiser tastes like genuinely brewed iced tea with a subtle, clean vodka presence and light sweetness — far closer to a spiked sweet tea than a typical hard seltzer. Imbibe Magazine called it "an aptly named, crushable iced tea vodka" with "light, refreshing, and pure flavor."

How does Sun Cruiser compare to Twisted Tea? Both come from The Boston Beer Company, but Sun Cruiser is spirits-based (made with real vodka) at 4.5% ABV, while Twisted Tea is a malt-based beverage at 5% ABV. Sun Cruiser is also non-carbonated and positioned at a slightly more premium price point with lower sugar content.

Is Sun Cruiser good for beginners? Yes — at 4.5% ABV, 100 calories, and 1 gram of sugar per can, Sun Cruiser is approachable and easy-drinking, making it an excellent entry point for anyone curious about spirits-based RTDs without the intensity of higher-proof cocktails.

Where is Sun Cruiser made? Sun Cruiser is produced by The Boston Beer Company, headquartered in Boston, Massachusetts. The company, founded in 1984, also produces Samuel Adams and Truly hard seltzer.

What foods pair well with Sun Cruiser? Grilled chicken or shrimp skewers work well because the tea tannins cut through smoky char. Southern-style barbecue pairs naturally with iced tea flavors. Fresh fruit salad complements the Peach and Raspberry variants. Fish tacos benefit from the Lemonade + Tea's citrus lift. Light charcuterie boards with mild cheeses and crackers match the drink's restrained sweetness.

What sizes does Sun Cruiser come in? The Variety Pack contains twelve 12 oz slim cans — three each of Classic Tea, Lemonade + Tea, Peach, and Raspberry. Individual flavors are also available in their own packs.

Is Sun Cruiser worth the price? Sun Cruiser positions as a premium RTD within the spiked iced tea segment, priced above malt-based competitors like Twisted Tea but justified by its spirits-based construction, real brewed tea, real fruit juice, and gluten-free, low-calorie profile. Its rapid rise to the fourth-largest RTD spirits brand suggests strong consumer validation of that value proposition.

Why Sun Cruiser?

Sun Cruiser earned its place as the #1 new RTD brand family of 2024 by doing something most competitors won't: ditching carbonation entirely and building each can around real brewed black tea and clean vodka instead of malt alcohol and artificial flavoring. The result is an RTD that actually tastes like iced tea, backed by the production scale and quality control of The Boston Beer Company. At 100 calories and 1 gram of sugar per can, it threads the needle between genuine flavor and mindful drinking — a balance that propelled it to become the fourth-largest ready-to-drink spirits brand in the United States within its first year.