Kajun's loaded tea may look like the sweet, sugary drinks from your childhood—but don't be fooled.
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I’ll start with this: I’m kind of a beverage gal. Come into my office on any given day, and you’ll notice that I follow the three-drink rule: one for flavor, one for caffeine and one for hydration. Don’t get it twisted, though. I’m no WaterTokker.
Fancy, sugar-loaded syrups don’t impress me. I’m a simple creature who happily navigates the world with my trusty automatic espresso machine and my Diet Coke. So, when I saw Kajun loaded tea trending online, I was curious—albeit dubious. What other caffeinated drinks could I possibly need in my two-person household?
As it turns out, the answer to that question is Kajun loaded tea.
Kajun Loaded Tea
Brightly colored and available in more than 40 flavors, these trendy drinks are meant for social sipping.
What is Kajun loaded tea?
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First, we need to clear something up. Kajun’s loaded tea is not the kind of tea you’d find in a tea subscription, nor is it anything like our favorite tea drinks. Instead, think of it like a colorful energy drink that should be responsibly consumed.
Loaded teas were first popularized in Southern tea shops across Louisiana and Texas. The appeal? Bold flavors, an energy boost, bright colors, and a mix-and-match approach that makes them attractive to a range of folks.
But here’s the thing: they’re also not really all that bad for you. While these aren’t teas in the traditional sense, they do contain organic green tea and guarana, which is where the 250mg caffeine content comes from. And unlike those traditional high-sugar drink mixes you had as a kid (you know the ones I’m talking about), these are completely sugar and sodium free. Plus, they contain vitamins A, C, B6, and B12 for a nice boost.
How I Tested the Loaded Tea
As I mentioned, I entered this experimental taste test with healthy skepticism. However, I also wanted to give the tea a fair shake. So, naturally, I opted for the Big Bayou Bundle, which comes with Kajun’s full suite of 40 flavors. This way, I could get a well-rounded idea of the available flavors and tastes. And—of course—I could also enjoy sipping on lots of pretty colors.
When the teas arrived in a small envelope, I didn’t expect the sheer magnitude of flavors. Sure, I saw them them listed on the website. But it didn’t really register to me how many tea packets you actually get for around $120.
While the price may give you sticker shock, it’s not that expensive when you really dig in. At about $3 per tea, the value is fair. A fruity drink from my local coffee shop costs about the same amount for a much smaller size (and half of it comes filled with ice, to boot). And, if you want to spend a little less, you can always steer away from the big bundles and grab individual flavors a’la carte. Just note that buying in bulk saves you a little money.
And for those wondering, yes, every single flavor in the mix was different from the last. The bundle comes with so many different options, from punch mixes to piña coladas to sour fruits and even rainbow candy. There are also plenty of “normal” flavors like orange, pineapple and grape sprinkled in.
For another opinion, I also tapped my husband (a self-described “water guy”) to aid in my testing. Trying this many flavors at a cadence of about 2-3 drinks per week between the two of us took us a few months, so I can attest to the value of buying these teas in bulk if you’re a serious sipper.
Then, it was onto sampling.
Why I’m Obsessed
After trying these teas for a few months (and blasting through almost all 40 flavors), I have a few thoughts.
First thing’s first: these teas are tasty. The fruity flavors feel like a treat without the added sugar, and I love that they include a little bit of a vitamin boost, too. While I won’t replace my daily water intake with loaded teas, having one every few days feels makes an ordinary Wednesday afternoon feel like a special occasion.
I love the variety of flavors available. While I wasn’t a fan of ever single option (looking at you, banana), the majority were pleasant to sip on. While a few flavors felt similar, there were many standouts I’d definitely repurchase. Some favorites between my husband and I were French Quarter Quencher (melon, margarita and pineapple), Fat Tuesday (blue blast, rainbow candy and cherry), Zydeco Zing (pineapple tropical punch), Green Gator (piña colada, blue blast and pineapple) and Riverboat Berry (blackberry lemonade).
As I mentioned earlier, these tea mixes are also fully customizable. Sure, you can stick with one flavor. Or, you can mix-and-match several flavors for a custom bevvy. But that’s not where the fun ends. Just visit the Kajun loaded tea recipe page for dozens of different ideas, such as dirty drinks, mocktails, two-toned layered drinks and more. I’ve even seen people mix these powders into their protein shakes for a flavorful boost.
As someone who loves experimenting with recipes, the endless possibilities make for an appealing option. And unlike basic grocery store drink mixes, I’m actually enjoying benefits from the additional vitamins. Kajun loaded teas aren’t just boring, low-calorie powders. They don’t even feel like “diet” drink mixes at all—more like a fun, tangy treat that keeps me hydrated and energized.
Sure, it’s not as healthy as water. No, the colors aren’t natural. But when I’m weighing the afternoon pick-me-up benefits of a sugary soda vs. a loaded tea, the tea wins every time. Just note that, as with any highly caffeinated drink, we recommend sipping responsibly and in moderation. If you’re sensitive to caffeine but still want to get in on the fun, Kajun Loaded Tea also released unloaded versions of select flavors, which contain zero caffeine.
Where to Buy Kajun Loaded Teas
Kajun Loaded Tea
These colorful bevvies are bound to bring bright flavors to your daily sipping sesh.
Those looking to add a new beverage to their rotation can snag these tangy teas from the Kajun Loaded Tea website, Etsy and Amazon. Even if you’re skeptical like I was, give them a try. If the cute and colorful packaging doesn’t win you over, the endlessly flavorful options will!
