HOP WTR – Raspberry Iced Tea

This sparking hop tea doesn’t do itself any favors with this uninspiring name—“Raspberry Iced Tea.” I mean—not the “HOP WTR,” which is okay, and especially, as far as I’m concerned means: “good shit.” It’s only the second HOP WTR I’ve had—though I’ve had my eye out for it—as the other one I tried was impressive. This is a hop water with a lot of “extras”—adaptogens and nootropics—which might sound like a lot of hooey, to you—but what’s it say on the can, specifically? L-Theanine and Reishi Extract—believe it or else—for your BRAIN (and all of its operations). Flavor-wise, it’s tasty, plenty hoppy, with Citra, Amarillo, Mosaic, and Azacca hops (that’s a lot)—but the crucial thing is, the flavors are balanced and pleasant—not too much of anything—which spells “refreshing.” The only reason I’m complaining is because of my association with raspberry flavored bullshit. Convenience store “Raspberry Iced Tea” is, as you know, undrinkable—crap tea with too much corn syrup and artificial raspberry perfume. Even worse, the salad dressing, “Raspberry Vinaigrette,” is what really gives the fruit a bad name—there’s no better way to ruin a salad than putting that candied artificial nonsense on it—you may as well drown it in raspberry-flavored gasoline. Of course, raspberry itself, the fruit, there’s nothing better—especially when you spell it correctly—so it’s too bad some heinous products have “razzed-it up,” unforgivably. At least this HOP WTR got it right. I’m curious about their other flavors. I wonder what “Classic” is—maybe that’s the one. We’ll see.

No. 158 – 9.17.26