Loaded Teas 101: The Basics From Amazon to Make Yours at Home

Let's summarize all the essentials from Amazon you’ll need to easily make your loaded tea at home. 

The basics of loaded teas

Loaded teas are colorful aesthetically appealing instant tea drinks that are boosted with caffeine and other add-ins. The goal of loaded teas is to affordably recreate popular caffeinated ready-to-drink energy beverages at the comfort of your home.

Nowadays there are many loaded tea recipes available online, so you can easily find one that best fits your tastebuds. 

In its core, a loaded tea is made with an instant tea concentrate, aloe or collagen water, flavoring powders or syrups, guarana powder and ice.

Why do people love loaded teas?

Some people are drawn to loaded teas because they're made with instant tea powders, supplement powders and vitamin mixes. Others love them for their caffeine (Today reports that many advertised loaded teas have at least 160 milligrams), and others love them for their affordability and taste.

Where did loaded tea start?

It’s not clear if the first loaded tea recipes were initially created by any specific brand, or if independent nutritional shops came up with the concept. Loaded tea recipes have gained momentum in recent years and have taken off ever since. 

You can get your loaded teas from nutritional clubs across the country, or easily make your own at home while using ingredients available online. According to Today there are about 5,900 nutrition clubs all over the U.S., many of them concentrated in towns across Mississippi, Alabama, Tennessee, Oklahoma and Florida.

Are loaded teas healthy?

That depends on what goes into yours, how much you drink and you, so it's not a question we can answer for you. Loaded teas often stack several ingredients, including supplement powders and more than one source of caffeine.

Make sure to read the label for every supplement or ingredient you include. Try to use unsweetened pure instant tea concentrates, control the amount of sugar added and keep an eye on your total caffeine for the day. For most adults, the FDA has cited 400 milligrams of caffeine a day as an amount not generally associated with negative effects, and a single loaded tea can account for a good share of that.

If you're not sure whether caffeinated drinks or supplements are right for you, talk to your doctor.

Loaded teas and social media

Loaded teas and their colorful look is taking social media by a storm. Many consumers and recipe creators share their delicious drinks on platforms like Instagram, TikTok, and Pinterest. Many DIY versions of loaded tea are also becoming increasingly popular as consumers use these recipes to make their own drinks without relying on a specific brand or store. At Waka, we love seeing our tea concentrated featured as part of Jana’s recipes from the popular TikTok account @silverlininglessons.

Loaded tea recipes

While there are so many recipes to choose from, here are our favorites using Waka’s instant tea powders.

• The Mexican Sunset Loaded Tea
• The Laguna Beach Loaded Tea
• The Ranch Water Loaded Tea
• The Peach Boballini Loaded Tea
• The Tainted Love Loaded Tea

Buy these essentials from Amazon to make your loaded teas

1. 6 Pack Insulated Acrylic Tumblers with Lid & Straw

These top-quality acrylic tumblers are 100% BPA free without any toxic material.The acrylic material is not only durable but also lightweight. The colorful straws and lids will perfectly match the color of your daily loaded tea.

2. Ice Cube Tray with Lid and Storage Bin for Freezer

Loaded teas require ice, a lot of ice. If you don't have a refrigerator with an ice machine this ice cube tray is a great option. This Ice cube mold and tray makes 55 mini nugget ice cubes each time and the ice box can hold 3 trays of cubes. So you can make sure you have enough ice coffee for loaded teas at any time. 

3. Energy Rush Sticks Variety Box

Many DIY loaded tea recipes call for a 4C stick for its flavor and caffeine content. According to Caffeine Informer, 4C Energy Drink Mix contains 10.06 mg of caffeine per fl oz (34.01 mg per 100 ml). A 16.9 fl oz cup has a total of 170 mg of caffeine.

4. Waka Instant Tea Concentrate Bundle

To make your dupe loaded tea at home you need to start with... tea! Waka's tea concentrate powder is unsweetened without artificial ingredients or additives. This green tea powder bundle include one bag of unflavored green tea powder, one bag of peach flavored green tea powder and one lemon flavored green tea powder. Each bag contains about 200 servings.

5. Wild Berry Aloe Vera Juice

Many loaded tea recipes call for adding aloe vera juice. This aloe vera juice is made with the tasty flavor of wild berry and botanical herbs, and it doesn't include sugars or starches.

6. Guarana Seed Powder

Guarana powder is added into loaded teas for its caffeine (although, how can you say no to the taste of Waka's instant coffee?). This easy-to-use powder can be mixed into your loaded tea recipes, smoothies, shakes, beverages and more. Check the label for the caffeine per serving and count it toward your daily total.

7. Strawberry Lemonade Collagen Powder

Collagen powder is a popular add-in for loaded teas. This strawberry lemonade flavored collagen is sourced from grass fed and pasture-raised cows.

8. Sugar Free Soda Powder Variety Pack

Love drinking your loaded teas with some flavor? Consider adding this Sunkist soda mix which is sugar free, caffeine free, and non-carbonated. It comes in to-go packs for easier measurement.

9. Storage Hardware and Craft Cabinet

Getting into loaded teas requires some organization. With so many recipes available you'll end up with different ingredients and powders. Keep your loaded tea supplies in this rugged, high-impact polystyrene plastic frame with 24 drawers. 

10. Assorted Sizes Food Bag Clips Plastic

Keep you opened bags or packets fully sealed so you could easily reuse your ingredients. These durable high quality clips made of PVC and rubber for ease of use.  

Make your loaded teas with Waka's tea concentrates. Get them here.

This article is for general information only and isn't medical or nutritional advice. If you have questions about caffeine, your diet or a health condition, talk to your doctor.