London: The popularity of sparkling tea is surging in the low and no-alcohol drinks market, driven by health-conscious consumers. The drink is being embraced particularly by younger generations, with significant sales increases reported in the festive and dry January periods of 2024 and 2025.
The rise of sparkling tea represents one of the latest trends in the low and no-alcohol beverage market, gaining substantial popularity across social media platforms such as TikTok and Instagram. This effervescent drink typically combines black, green, white, or herbal tea with sparkling water, although some recipes may include carbonated soft drinks like lemonade and ginger ale. As a refreshing alternative to traditional iced tea, sparkling tea shares similarities with kombucha, a fermented tea beverage, but is generally regarded as a lighter option.
The sparkling tea market was valued at nearly USD $500 million in 2023, with forecasts from Grand View Research suggesting a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 6.3 percent between 2024 and 2030. Interest in such beverages accelerated during the festive period of 2024 and during the sobriety-focused “dry” January of 2025. British supermarket chain Tesco reported a “record-breaking year” for no-and-low alcohol drinks, confirming the increasing consumer interest, while the Guardian highlighted a significant surge in the sales of high-end sparkling teas during the Christmas season. For instance, Buckinghamshire’s The REAL Drinks Co noted a remarkable 60 to 72 percent increase in sales in comparison to the previous year.
The trend has been particularly well-received by younger demographics who are seeking healthier replacements for alcoholic beverages and traditional soft drinks, which can often be high in sugar. Research indicates that 59 percent of British adults are either limiting or avoiding alcohol consumption entirely; among younger generations like Generation Z, about 33 percent abstain from alcohol altogether. Moreover, a large number of young people adopt healthier lifestyle choices, with 94 percent focusing on healthy eating. Also notable is that around 21 percent of Generation Z identifies as vegan.
Sparkling tea is perceived as a healthier option, potentially providing various health benefits associated with the tea itself, such as improved cardiovascular health, reduced blood pressure, and even stress alleviation. While some sparkling tea variants may contain sugar, there is a range of unsweetened or low-sugar options available. The overall health advantages of tea, including its rich polyphenol content, further enhance the appeal of sparkling tea as a suitable alternative to sugary beverages.
Multiple brands have emerged in response to this growing trend, offering a variety of sparkling tea products. California-based Juni markets its fizzy tea-style soft drinks, which are made from green tea and come in tropical, raspberry, and peach flavours, sweetened with stevia and containing only five calories per can. Meanwhile, The Real Drinks Co provides award-winning, wine-style bottles of sparkling tea in unique flavours such as Peony Blush and Dry Dragon, priced from £35 for a 12-tin pack.
Saicho, known for its premium sparkling teas, offers products wrapped in intricate packaging and available at upscale retail locations, with a price point of £17.99 per bottle. The Copenhagen Sparkling Tea Company combines Nordic innovation with Asian tea traditions to produce handcrafted, organic beverages at around £20 online.
Also included in this expansive market is JING’s Jasmine Pearls, a sparkling tea made exclusively from jasmine-scented green tea, retailing for £22.80 per bottle. British brand Twinings launched its line of tinned sparkling tea drinks in September 2024, featuring flavours fortified with vitamins and minerals, priced at £1.89 per can.
Other notable entries include LA Brewery, which focuses on kombucha-based sparkling teas, and Van Nahmen, with its “Juicy Teas” that blend complex flavour notes with organic fruit juices. ChariTea’s iced tea range supports social enterprises, donating a portion of sales to its foundation, while Three Spirit offers plant-based alternatives to alcohol, including caffeinated sparkling teas.
As sparkling tea continues to take centre stage, it reflects a significant shift in consumer preferences towards healthier, low-alcohol beverages in an increasingly health-conscious market.
Source: Noah Wire Services
