Hard teas are having a moment—and the 2025 San Francisco Ready-to-Drink Competition confirmed that they’re more than just a trend. This year’s finalists showcase how tea-based RTDs can strike the perfect balance between flavor, refreshment, and premium craft. Leading the charge? Raider, with two standout entries that brought elegance and innovation to the category.

Delicate yet distinctive, Raider’s Jasmine Hard Tea + Vodka reimagines hard tea with a floral-forward profile that caught the attention of judges. The vodka base provides a clean foundation, while the jasmine tea adds a fragrant aroma and a subtly perfumed finish.

Raider’s Peach Oolong Hard Tea + Vodka takes a bolder approach, blending juicy fruit with nuanced tea tannins. The oolong adds a touch of earthiness that perfectly supports the ripe peach flavor, making this entry both bright and complex.

As the hard tea category expands, Raider is setting the standard with elevated ingredients, thoughtful infusions, and a vodka base that keeps things crisp and clean. These two finalists reflect the growing sophistication of the RTD space—and we can’t wait to see which will take home Best in Class this fall at the Top Shelf Gala.