One of my favorite types of food is Thai. When I go out for it, I often order Thai iced tea. I love the robust flavors, intriguing orange color, and creamy consistency.

But sometimes I want this drink without having to go out to get it. With Thaiwala’s Thai Tea black tea concentrate, I’ve been enjoying it at home. 

Thaiwala says they’re obsessively authentic. They ethically source their herbicide- and pesticide-free tea from a small farm in Northern Thailand. Thaiwala knew it would be a good product when they saw swarms of honeybees hovering over the organic herbs on the farm.

Brewed black tea, pure cocoa extract, organic pandan leaf, organic vanilla flavor, and organic caramel syrup (organic cane sugar and water) blend together to create a first-of-its-kind tea concentrate for home consumers.

Thaiwala won a silver medal in the tea category from the Specialty Food Association in 2021, so when they say on their packaging that it’s crazy good, it really is.

Thaiwala’s goal was to make the tea 100 percent natural without sacrificing flavor. I think it smells and tastes as authentic as restaurant versions. It’s not bitter and has a smooth, rich, and balanced flavor.

Easy to make, just add your favorite type of milk and an equal portion of the concentrate. Heat or chill for hot or iced tea. I add bobas (tapioca pearls) for an iced bubble tea.

Thaiwala comes in unsweetened and original versions in aseptic containers that make approximately 8 servings each.

Their website has a store locator, or links to purchase the tea from retailers. Each 32-ounce container costs approximately $6.

Holiday gatherings can be rough. Some of us find ourselves spending time with people we’d rather not be with, because that dreaded sense of obligation kicks in. Add to that the stress of deciding what to bring to an event, and it’s no wonder the holidays are the most stressful time of year.

I suggest we make our gatherings more sparkly. I recently discovered a brand of sparkling water called Waterloo. I immediately thought how their two limited-time seasonal flavors (Spiced Apple and Cranberry) would make a refreshing, non-alcoholic alternative for the holiday table.

More Bubbles, Less Bad Stuff

If you like bubbles, you’ll like Waterloo. It’s more carbonated than other brands, so sipping it gives you a lively kick.

Naturally flavored with no added sugar, Waterloo uses a multi-step filtration process that gives the purified, carbonated water a clean taste without any unwanted additives, fluoride, or sodium.

I found the Cranberry flavor to be refreshing, bright, and a bit tart. Spiced Apple offers a taste reminiscent of apple crisp. I tried it with a splash of apple cider for a hint of sweetness. The spiced flavor came through and put me in an autumnal state of mind.

If you’re looking for other Waterloo varieties, consider their offerings: black cherry, grapefruit, pineapple, watermelon, grape, strawberry, and lemon-lime, to name a few. And speaking of flavors, they’re all natural and sourced from non-GMO and vegan plant extracts, oils, and essences.

Certified Gluten-Free, non-GMO, vegan, and kosher as well as Whole30 Approved, this sparkling water comes in cans that are free of BPA.

Festive Mocktail Recipes

Enjoy this refreshing beverage ice cold. And if you’re looking for fun and tasty seasonal sippers to make at home, the Waterloo website offers recipes like Spiced Pomme Pom, ‘Loo-ner Eclipse, Spiced Apple Ginger Fizz, and Spiced Cran-Apple Punch—all made with limited-edition Cranberry or Spiced Apple.

Locate a retailer near you.