In 1980, TGI Fridays introduced a cocktail that packed a powerful punch and gave a nod to the state of Texas: Texas Tea. Often compared to its cousin, the Long Island Iced Tea, this boozy beverage stands out for one key ingredient bourbon.
This Southern favorite gives Texas Tea its signature flavor and almost tea-like sweetness, although the drink doesn’t actually contain any tea.
A Southern-Inspired Twist
Texas Tea shares the classic Southern combination of bourbon and sweet tea, both staples in the Southern U.S. Texas lies in the heart of the “sweet tea belt,” a region where sweet iced tea reigns supreme.
The first recorded sweet tea recipe was published in 1879 in a cookbook titled Housekeeping in Old Virginia. This recipe used green tea, sugar, and lemon. By the early 20th century, black tea became the default for iced tea, and during Prohibition in the 1920s, iced tea saw a boom in popularity.
It’s even suggested that people may have used iced tea to disguise liquor consumption during Prohibition, with some bars serving alcohol in teacups to avoid suspicion.
Read More : Trader Joe’s Beloved Maple Butter Returns After 3 Years
A Legacy of Spiked Tea Punches
The idea of combining tea with alcohol is far from new. British aristocracy often enjoyed spiked tea punches, and this tradition made its way to the Southern U.S.
In the early 1800s, chilled tea punches became popular, often mixing wine, liquor, and sugar. One notable punch recipe from Kentucky in 1839 included claret or Champagne, cream, sugar, and green tea.
Another famous tea punch, Regent’s Punch, dates back to 1815 and was made with brandy, rum, Champagne, and citrus juice, all balanced with green tea.
This potent mix became a hit with the British, who named it after King George IV, a well-known fan of liquor. While Texas Tea may not contain actual tea like Regent’s Punch, its cola and bourbon give it a tea-like color and sweetness.
TGI Fridays: The Birthplace Of Texas Tea
While many might believe Texas Tea has deep Southern roots, it’s likely that the cocktail is a corporate invention. According to Vintage American Cocktails, TGI Fridays created the Texas Iced Tea in 1980 to celebrate the 40th anniversary of its parent company, Carlson.
The chain added four variations of the Long Island Iced Tea to its menu, including the Texas Iced Tea, which featured an extra ounce of whiskey. This twist quickly became popular.
Despite its popularity, TGI Fridays has never officially commented on how the cocktail was developed. However, Nico Martini, a Texas-based author of Texas Cocktails, suspects that the drink’s name was part of a branding strategy.
Martini explains that he’s often noticed how “Texas” gets thrown in front of products for marketing purposes, especially in the beverage world. “Texas is incredibly proud, and Texas supports Texas,” Martini says.
Read More : McDonald’s Is Popular With Customers Again Here’s Why
Texas As a Brand
Martini’s observations align with a long history of using Texas as a powerful brand. He notes that even whiskey brands sometimes claim to be Texan by slapping armadillos, spurs, or longhorns on their labels, even if the product originates from other states like Indiana, Kentucky, or Tennessee.
The mystique surrounding Texas plays a big role in this branding. As John Steinbeck famously wrote in his memoir Travels with Charley: In Search of America, “Texas is a state of mind, but I think it is more than that. It is a mystique closely approximating a religion.”
This mystique has even found its way into cocktails, making Texas Tea a celebrated drink that captures the essence of Southern culture.
A Summer Favorite With a Texan Punch
Regardless of its origins, Texas Tea remains a delightful summer cocktail. The addition of bourbon or a spicier rye makes it a bold and flavorful drink. For those looking to savor a taste of the South, Texas Tea offers a perfect balance of sweetness and strength, capturing the spirit of Texas in a glass.
Thanks for visiting our site hope you like it ..