Awesome Ice Tea makes brewed iced teas with handcrafted recipes, seven ingredients or fewer, and a functional blend built around agave inulin and upcycled avocado seed extract. Its lineup ranges from Meyer lemon black tea to caffeine-free raspberry hibiscus, all lightly sweetened with agave rather than stevia and offered with more than 50% less sugar than traditional bottled teas. The teas are vegan, gluten-free, and kosher, with a growing retail presence that includes 219 listed stores.
Kosher
Vegan
Gluten Free
Mellow Goose Iced TeaMellow Goose Iced Tea makes decaffeinated black-tea drinks blended with fruit flavors and adaptogenic botanicals, including its Green Apple and assorted six-pack offerings. Based in Hershey under the Mellow Brands trade name, the company sold out its first run and is preparing a new release with an improved formula and refreshed look.HERSHEY, PA
Vink & Beri LLCFrom its Pennsylvania headquarters, Vink & Beri LLC manufactures and distributes the BARE NATURE line of vitamin-enriched iced teas and unusual 100% juice blends. The company’s distinctive recipes include Juice Storm, a citrus blend designed to deliver its flavors in sequence, and Apple Pineapple Coconut, a tropical-style juice with a pina-colada character. Vink & Beri says its products are made in U.S. FDA-approved facilities, with an emphasis on natural ingredients, research and environmentally responsible production.MONTGOMERYVILLE, PA
JAVAMELTSBorn from Carolyn Barbarite’s Valentine’s Day coffee-break idea, JAVAMELTS makes portable flavored sugars from pure cane sugar and natural flavors for transforming everyday drinks, baking and cocktails. The company is certified woman-owned, part of a proud military family, and sells its products nationwide in recyclable packaging. Its sugars are vegan, non-dairy, gluten-free, kosher and non-GMO.SMITHTOWN, NY
Zenology LLCTowson-based Zenology LLC makes ZenJoy, a canned adaptogenic tea designed for stress relief. Its proprietary Zen Blend combines 500 mg of tested adaptogens with tea, natural cane sugar and a touch of honey, and the drinks are sold through more than 200 locations in Maryland and surrounding states.