If asked to imagine the most luxurious beverage one might be served upon arrival at an opulent hotel, we’d place good bets on the fact that your mind’s eye has conjured up a delightfully crisp, incredibly expensive glass of golden, glittering champagne.
With the movement towards no and low-alcohol alternatives making significant headway, wellness-focused individuals have been exchanging hangovers for early morning runs and overnight oats. While this means saying no to that divine, imagined glass of bubbles, a brand-new alternative to sparkling alcohol has emerged in recent years to rival that overpriced bottle of fizz.
Sparkling tea is a relatively new beverage category which has been popularised by the Copenhagen Sparkling Tea Company. Combining Nordic innovation and Asian tea traditions, the Scandinavian brand has mastered the production of a delicious, effervescent low and non-alcoholic sparkling drink.
We spoke to Oscar Dodd, Wine & Spirits Buyer at Fortnum & Mason for some insight into the beloved department store’s famous sparkling tea, which is produced exclusively by the Copenhagen Sparkling Tea Co.
What is sparkling tea and how is it made?
“The most exciting, revolutionary – and delicious – way to enjoy tea since the invention of the tea bag. Our recipes are made with a blend of up to 13 different teas in a combination of black, green, white and oolong. Only using the highest quality teas from the best plantations and producers around the world, including the exclusive First Flush Darjeeling and Silver Needle tea.
“Jacob Kocemba, the sommelier behind Sparkling Tea, hand-brews all our tea, since precision and craftsmanship are key to creating the right taste and feel. Using the correct brewing temperatures and time intervals is quintessential for the final result. The tea blends are married with a dash of white wine or grape must as natural sweetness to complement and enhance the flavours of the teas. We also add other natural aromas, like lemongrass, hibiscus, and lemon juice, to hit just the right notes.”
Does sparkling tea contain added sugars?
“No, its sugar content comes from the grape must or wine base; grape must is used in the alcohol-free recipes while made wine is used when producing the alcoholic variants.”
How should sparkling tea be stored and served?
“Treat it like sparkling wine; store in a cool dry place and chill to around 5ºC before serving in a fluted glass.”
Can sparkling tea be used as a mixer for spirit-based cocktails?
“My favourite is ‘Fortnum's TSL’:
- 40ml Patron Tequila Blanco
- 3 lemon wedges
- 15ml honey
- 5 sage leaves
- Fortnum’s Original Sparkling Tea 0% (top up)
Method: Place the three lemon wedges in a highball glass and muddle to extract the juice. Add the honey - Fortnum's Spanish Orange Blossom Honey works particularly well in this recipe - as well as the sage leaves, tequila and ice cubes. Stir while adding the Sparkling Tea and garnish with sage leaves.”
Is sparkling tea caffeinated?
“All caffeine is naturally occurring, being present in the various types of black, white and green and oolong teas in each blend.”
What are, in your opinion, the best sparkling tea flavours?
“Fortnum’s Rose Sparkling Tea 0% is my go-to, which is brewed with dry hibiscus flowers for a slightly drier finish, soft pink colour, and delicate hawthorn flavour – which compliments the tea base perfectly.”
We’ve curated a selection of the best sparkling teas on the market to try this summer. Keep scrolling for delightfully effervescent tipples which won’t leave you feeling hungover.
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Fortnum's Rosé Sparkling Tea, 0% ABV, 75cl
A crisp, dry and effervescent tea which tastes remarkably similar to a classic sparkling rosé, Fortnum’s latest blend has a subtle pink hue and is made using hibiscus. Enjoy deep notes of Darjeeling which is uplifted by Japanese Sencha and complemented notes of tropical fruits, cranberry and hints of ginger. Best served chilled as an aperitif.
Buy now £19.95, F&M
Copenhagen Organic Sparkling Tea BLÅ, 75cl, 0% ABV
Award-winning Danish sommelier Jacob Kocemb developed the delicious BLÅ sparkling beverage based on a whopping thirteen different teas, including jasmine, white and Darjeeling. Enjoy swirling aromas of jasmine, honeysuckle, citrus and tropical fruit with this delightfully refreshing blend which goes beautifully with sushi and soft cheeses.
Buy now £18.50, F&M
REAL Dry Dragon Sparkling Tea Buckinghamshire
Dry in taste and name, REAL’s sparkling tea is made with Dragonwell green tea. Crisp as a breezy summer morning, this fizzy tipple has notes of honeydew melon and a subtle leafy undertone. Expect flavours such as lemon and grapefruit to dance on the tastebuds with every sip and delight in the strangely lovely, nutty aftertaste.
Buy now £7.60, Waitrose
Saicho Luxurious Non-Alcoholic Jasmine Sparkling Tea
Simply sparkling, cold-brewed jasmine tea, this luxurious blend from Saicho has been infused with white grape juice, vitamin C and a natural oak wood flavour for a slightly smoky aftertaste. All Saicho’s jasmine tea is sourced from the mountains of Funding in Fujian Province, China.
Buy now £17.99, Amazon
LA Brewery Mixed Pack | Sparkling English Blush & Sparkling English Rose
While not technically a sparkling tea, we couldn’t help but pop in this twin pack of sparkling kombucha from LA Brewery. One is infused with English Rose and is considered to be a champagne alternative, while the English Blush is more akin to a classic class of rosé – both delicious, dry and crisp, both entirely hangover-free.
Buy now £59.00, Amazon
ChariTea Sparkling Iced Mate Tea
This carbonated infusion of organic mate tea and organic black tea is infused with sweet agave, orange and lemon juices for a zingy boost. Pour over ice with a wedge of lemon for a wonderfully refreshing libation.
Buy now £26.49, Amazon
Three Spirit Blurred Vines Spark
“Spark was made for celebrations and party-popping,” says Three Spirit of their euphoric, energising non-alcoholic blend. Made from a selection of cold-brewed teas (manuka leaf, African verbena), British fruits (green gooseberry, apricot, white grape) and innovative ferments (koji), you’re in for a refreshing, plentiful fizzy delight.
Buy now £16.99, Three Spirit
Jing Jasmine Pearls Sparkling Tea
Airy notes of jasmine pearls tickle the tastebuds before moving towards deeper notes of green tea and honey. This lovely sparkling drink has a sweet, floral aftertaste and is perfect for any celebratory occasion. The green tea base is crafted by Tea Maker Liu Guoqing in Shekou Garden, Fujian, China
Buy now £22.10, Jing Tea
Mubarak London Sparkling Juicy Tea
Made with Darjeeling tea with expressive hints of rhubarb and fruit juice extracts, Van Nahmen’s sparkling Juicy Tea will send your tastebuds on a moreish, alcohol-free journey.
Buy now £14.99, Mubarak London
