Could you tell us about the inspiration behind Tios Drinks and the vision you had when starting the company?
The inspiration behind Tios drinks was born from wanting to create a beverage that is fresh, light, and contains only natural ingredients. We envisioned a tea-based drink that would offer a refreshing alternative to the conventional options on the market. Our mission was to craft a product that not only tantalizes the taste buds but also maintains a level of transparency in terms of ingredients and process that is often challenging to find with pre-mixed alcoholic drinks.
White tea became the perfect base for our drink. By leveraging the natural flavors of tea, we aimed to create a beverage that stands out in both taste and quality.
Transparency about ingredients is a core value for us. We believe that consumers deserve to know exactly what they are drinking. This commitment guided us in formulating Tios drinks, ensuring that every ingredient used is clearly listed and understood by our customers.
The idea of combining tea with cocktail flavors was the final piece of the puzzle. This fusion not only brings a unique twist to traditional tea but also opens up a world of exciting and delightful flavor combinations. By integrating the essence of popular cocktails with the qualities of tea, Tios drinks offer a sophisticated yet accessible beverage option.
Now the name, Tios is inspired by our family, our travels, Danish minimalism and a British/French touch. The name inspiration comes from the Spanish ‘Tíos’ meaning ‘uncles’ and is in honour of our family tradition of Margarita night, started off by our aunt and uncle who are sadly no longer with us. They both passed away from different cancers within a year of each other, shortly before we founded Tios. We thought it was a lovely way to honour their memory.
Can you describe some of your signature cocktails and what makes them unique?
Our three signature flavors—Hard Tea Mojito, Hard Tea Margarita, and Hard Tea Light & Stormy—each offer a unique and distinct taste profile that stands out. With no added sugar and low in calories, these drinks are both a flavorsome and refreshing choice. Currently, Tios has no direct competitor in the UK market, setting us ahead of the curve by combining two beloved beverages: tea and cocktails. These drinks are a not-so-guilty pleasure, perfect for those who prefer less sweetness. Despite their distinctive flavors, all three share a common freshness and tanginess that make them a refreshing alternative. If you’re not a fan of sweet drinks, Tios is just what you need.
How do you stay ahead of consumer preferences and ensure your offerings remain innovative and appealing?
At Tios Drinks, we ensure our offerings remain appealing by combining a few key principles. We focus on health-conscious choices, acknowledging that alcohol and health do not typically go hand in hand. However, we improve the drink quality by limiting preservatives, alcohol content, and additives. Tios is what we like to call a “not-so-guilty pleasure”. We continuously research trends, especially those from the US that often indicate future popularity in Europe. Our tea/cocktail combination offers endless flavour possibilities, inspired by popular cocktail profiles, allowing us to innovate and stay ahead of consumer preferences.
Ultimately, as a family team of three we try and see if what we like could also be appealing to our customer base.
What steps does Tios Drinks take to ensure sustainability in your production processes?
At Tios Drinks, we are committed to genuine sustainability and strive to avoid greenwashing. We recognize that being truly sustainable can be challenging, especially as a small company. Despite these challenges, we are dedicated to making real, impactful changes rather than merely presenting an eco-friendly image.
Some of our efforts focus on responsible sourcing (choosing local product and manufacturing where possible). Other key initiatives are using recyclable BPA-NI aluminium cans, and minimal and FSC-certified packaging. We have put a lot of importance on using natural flavours and fair trade organic white tea. Recently, we transitioned from Tequila to Agave spirit for more sustainable shipping in larger containers from Mexico, reducing reliance on heavy glass bottles. Another example would be to avoid single plastic usage throughout all company events and sampling. Some of these initiatives have an impact on our cost of goods, however it is very important to us to not compromise on such initiatives.
What are the next steps for Tios Drinks? Are there any exciting projects or new products on the horizon that you can share with us?
We are hoping to continue to grow organically and continue to reach more and more customers. We are starting to make an impact on the Danish market and hoping this can also serve us to further our growth in the UK despite fierce competition from industry giants.
