New ‘Hard’ Tea Born in Poughkeepsie is A Must Try

Have you heard about the brand-new refreshing hard-ice tea that was created by a popular bartender in Poughkeepsie, New York?

If you are into the history of Poughkeepsie, New York you might already know that the guy who invented the popular tile word game Scrabble was born in Poughkeepsie, NY. We told you years ago that the creation of the game didn't happen in the Dutchess County town/city but the mind that created it was born there back in 1899.

Well over a century later another creation was born in Poughkeepsie and this one might pair well with friends over a game of Scrabble.

New Hard Tea Created in Poughkeepsie, New York

If you've ever been to the popular Tavern 23 located at 23 Verazzano Blvd, Poughkeepsie, you might have already tried what we think might be the next big thing in the world of refreshing hard beverages. It's called Breezy Tea and is nothing new to the regulars at Tavern 23 but it is fairly new to the cooler at your favorite beverage store and comes with an interesting and inspirational story.

Breezy Bartender

For many years "Breezy" Santoro has become one of the Hudson Valley's most popular bartenders working at different places in Poughkeepsie including Mahoney's Irish Pub and Tavern 23. For years she has been quietly working on coming up with the perfect recipe for a new refreshing hard-ice tea that's has a hint of alcohol and is naturally brewed with real flavors, and produced locally.

SEE ALSO: Did You Know Poughkeepsie Once Had an Amusement Park?

The new tea idea was born after Breezy's husband Chris asked her to make him a boozy tea telling us,

"My husband Chris asked me to make him a boozy tea one day, so I made him one. He would have one every time he came in and soon after other customers at the bar would ask him what he was drinking and he would say a Breezy Tea and before long everyone was ordering them."

 

Breezy went on to tell us that over time she refined the recipe and began steeping her tea and using fresh ingredients. As the recipe was refined the amount of customer requests got more and more until one day her husband suggested they put it in a can.

Breezy Tea "The Cooler Cocktail"

She went on to tell us that she and her husband have been working with Ninth Planet Beverage Solutions in Saratoga Springs, NY to produce batches of the cooler cocktail in two flavors Original and Peach Green.

"They make huge batches of the tea, they put it in the cans, package it, and ship it to Dutchess Beer Distributors," she said.

The tea is then distributed to various bars, restaurants, convenience stores, and beverage centers across the Hudson Valley.

Now Available Across the Hudson Valley

Breezy Tea was officially launched back in June and is available at places like Thrifty Beverage, the Beekman Beverage Barn in Poughquag, Chestnut Markets, and more. So the next time you looking for a non-carbonated, refreshing 5% alcohol adult beverage (look for the cans with a dog (Zeus) on it) give Breezy Tea a try. You'll love it!