Chicago-based entrepreneur Alex Young has launched G&Tea, a new sparkling hard tea brand combining gin with South African rooibos tea and honey.

The ready-to-drink range is launching in two varieties, Original and Passion Fruit, both containing 7% ABV and packaged in 12oz cans.

G&Tea’s Original flavour combines London Dry gin with South African rooibos and clover honey, while the Passion Fruit variety adds tropical passion fruit flavour to the same base.

According to the company, the drinks are caffeine-free and contain no refined sugar or artificial sweeteners.

Rooibos, which is naturally grown in South Africa’s Cederberg region, provides an earthy flavour without the tannin bitterness associated with some traditional teas. The London Dry gin adds botanical and citrus notes, while honey provides sweetness.

Young said his connection with rooibos stems from his childhood near the Cederberg region, before later moving to London and Chicago.

“People are paying closer attention to what they consume. They want quality not just in the taste, but in the ingredients,” said Young. “We wanted to create something transparent and thoughtfully made, using clean ingredients that each contribute something meaningful to the finished drink.”

Following its launch in Chicago, G&Tea is seeking distribution, retail, restaurant and hospitality partnerships across Illinois.