Surfside Iced Tea & Vodka Starter Pack 12Pk

Surfside Iced Tea & Vodka Starter Pack 12Pk is a variety pack of ready-to-drink iced tea cocktails made with vodka distilled in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Each 12oz can clocks in at 4.5% ABV (9 proof), making these sessionable premixed drinks that don't overwhelm with boozy heat. Surfside has carved out a massive following in the RTD cocktail space by keeping the formula straightforward — real brewed tea flavor, clean American vodka, and enough sweetness to feel like a genuine iced tea without tipping into syrupy territory.

Tasting Notes:

Aroma: Sweet black tea rises immediately from the can, followed by a light honeyed quality and a faint citrus brightness. There's no harsh alcohol presence on the nose — it genuinely reads like a freshly poured glass of sweetened iced tea.

Taste: The entry is clean and tea-forward, with recognizable black tea tannins giving it a dry backbone that prevents the sweetness from becoming cloying. Mid-palate, a subtle malt-like smoothness from the vodka blends seamlessly into the tea character. The sweetness level lands in a comfortable middle ground — noticeably sweet, but not candy-like.

Finish: Short and crisp, as you'd expect from a 4.5% ABV canned cocktail. A mild tea astringency lingers briefly alongside a whisper of citrus, keeping your palate fresh for the next sip.

How to Drink Surfside Iced Tea & Vodka Starter Pack:

Drink these straight from the can, well-chilled — that's the entire point of a ready-to-drink cocktail, and Surfside nails the format. Pour over ice with a lemon wedge if you want to dress it up slightly. For a simple upgrade, use a can as the base for a Long Island-style punch by topping it with a splash of cola and a squeeze of fresh lemon over crushed ice. You can also freeze cans partially for about 90 minutes to create an iced tea slushie that works perfectly at outdoor cookouts and tailgates.

Best For:

• Beach days, pool parties, and outdoor entertaining
• Tailgating and barbecues where easy-drinking cans are essential
• Trying multiple Surfside iced tea flavors before committing to a single variety
• Stocking a cooler for a group with varied flavor preferences

Frequently Asked Questions:

What does Surfside Iced Tea & Vodka taste like? Surfside Iced Tea & Vodka tastes like a clean, sweetened iced tea with a smooth vodka backbone — the alcohol is barely detectable at 4.5% ABV. The black tea flavor is genuine and slightly tannic, balanced by moderate sweetness and a crisp, refreshing finish.

How does Surfside Iced Tea & Vodka compare to Twisted Tea? Surfside uses a vodka base while Twisted Tea is a malt-based beverage, which gives Surfside a cleaner, lighter mouthfeel without the grainy undertone some drinkers detect in malt-based options. Surfside also runs lower in ABV at 4.5% compared to Twisted Tea's standard 5%, making it slightly more sessionable over a long afternoon.

Is Surfside Iced Tea & Vodka good for beginners? Absolutely — the 4.5% ABV and tea-forward flavor profile make these among the most approachable vodka-based RTD cocktails available. The alcohol is well-integrated and won't overwhelm anyone who finds straight spirits too intense.

Where is Surfside Iced Tea & Vodka made? Surfside is produced by Stateside Brands in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The vodka base is distilled in-house at their Philadelphia facility, and the finished product is canned domestically in the United States.

What foods pair well with Surfside Iced Tea & Vodka? These canned iced tea cocktails pair naturally with classic American cookout fare — pulled pork sandwiches, grilled chicken wings, smoked ribs, and crispy fried catfish. Lighter options like shrimp tacos and Caesar salad also complement the tea's clean flavor without competing.

Why Buy Surfside?

Stateside Brands built Surfside on the back of their established Philadelphia-distilled vodka, which gave them a quality base spirit most RTD competitors don't start with. The brand exploded in popularity through word of mouth in the mid-Atlantic and coastal markets before expanding nationally, becoming one of the fastest-growing names in the canned cocktail category. Unlike many RTD brands that use neutral grain spirits or malt bases, Surfside leans into its genuine vodka foundation, resulting in a noticeably cleaner taste. The Starter Pack format lets you sample multiple iced tea expressions side by side — a smart entry point for anyone new to the brand.