Liquid Death Enters Iced Tea Category with Bold Flavors and Aggressive Branding
Liquid Death is expanding beyond its core water business with the launch of its first iced tea line, aiming to disrupt the $9 billion U.S. ready-to-drink (RTD) tea category with the same irreverent branding that propelled its meteoric rise in the canned water space.
The new lineup, which rolled out in January, includes three flavors: Armless Palmer (a take on the classic Arnold Palmer), Grim Leafer (green tea with agave), and Rest in Peach (peach tea). Each can delivers 30 mg of caffeine, zero sugar, and just 6 grams of agave-sourced sweetener. The products are available in 19.2 oz “tallboy” cans, consistent with the brand’s punk-metal aesthetic, and are priced at $2.49 SRP.
Targeting a Younger, Health-Conscious Consumer
With the launch, Liquid Death is positioning its iced tea as a cleaner, edgier alternative to traditional RTD players like Pure Leaf, Gold Peak, and Arizona. The company is particularly aiming to capture younger consumers who are increasingly avoiding sugary beverages but still seek flavor and functional benefits.
“We spent years perfecting these recipes to be low-calorie and delicious without the aftertaste of stevia or monk fruit,” said Liquid Death co-founder and CEO Mike Cessario. “And we’ll continue to do in tea what we did with water—bring fun, humor, and a next-level brand to a sleepy category.”
Retail Expansion and Category Implications
The teas are already gaining traction, with placement in over 60,000 retail locations nationwide, including Target, 7-Eleven, and Publix. Early sales data and distributor interest suggest strong momentum, as Liquid Death leverages its existing DSD network and online channels to increase velocity and shelf presence across formats.
Liquid Death’s iced tea debut builds on a year of explosive growth. The brand reported over $263 million in retail sales for 2023—up from $125 million the previous year—and is now among the top-10 best-selling water brands in U.S. retail. With high brand awareness and cult-like customer loyalty, its entrance into tea poses challenges for legacy brands