Amelia Ice Tea arrives: the first canned cold tea made in Argentina that is committed to natural and still

In a beverage market that is evolving towards practicality and conscious consumption, Amelia Ice Tea: he Argentina’s first canned cold tea. Developed entirely in Mar del Platathis pioneering venture in the category uses transparent processes to offer a refreshing drink, without gas added and in a practical and sustainable format.

Available in four varieties made with black tea from Misiones, the arrival of Amelia marks a milestone in the category RTD (Ready To Drink) locally, a segment that is growing globally at a rate of 6% annually.

An entrepreneur with experience in the beverage industry

The project is led by Melissa Retrivelawyer, entrepreneur and from a family with experience in the Mar del Plata food industry. After several years of experience in the brewing sector—first with a craft beer and, for two years now, with Bristolthe independent beer brand she created with her husband—, Melisa identified a gap in the non-alcoholic drinks aisle: the lack of a cold tea designed for the local public.

“I was looking to cover that need to be able to drink cold tea in a ready-to-consume format, but that at the same time is low in calories and with sugar-free options. “We wanted this drink to be less sweet, more natural and adapt it to the Argentine palate,” he explains. Melisa Retrivi, founder of the brand.

When she began to conceive the brand, Melisa found in this name that feminine identity she was looking for. In addition, it turned out to be the perfect match with the scientific name of the tea plant, the Camellia Sinensis. «We want to reinvent tea for a new generation: practical, modern and with a visual identity. We feel that the time is now,» says its founder.

Growth projection: from 12,000 to 120,000 cans

Despite being a niche product and completely new in Argentina, Melisa is aware of the growth that the brand has ahead and is strongly committed to its national expansion: she projects multiply your productive capacity by ten by the end of 2026—reaching 120,000 cans annually for the first year—after the inauguration of its new plant in the Mar del Plata Industrial Park. In addition, he plans to venture into the green tea and thus expand the current portfolio.

Amelia Ice Tea’s portfolio

Amelia Ice Tea is sold through its online store, reaching the entire country (www.ameliaicetea.com.ar) and in the main specialty cafes and healthy stores in Mar del Plata. These are its four varieties, all with a suggested price of $2.500:

• Black Tea with Lemon: the classic and balanced version. Made with real black tea infusion and sweetened with organic sugar, with a defined citrus profile and balanced sweetness.
• Black Tea with Peach: a proposal with an aromatic and fruity profile, which combines the flavor of peach with the natural notes of the infusion.
• Black Tea with Ginseng and Honey: the variant that combines the infusion of black tea with the herbal touch of ginseng and the softness of honey. Refreshing and with character.
• Black Tea with Lemon + Stevia: the proposal 0% sugars of the brand, sweetened with stevia to maintain the citrus profile without caloric intake.

Technology at the service of freshness

The entire line is presented in aluminum cans of 354mla format that keeps cold for longer and makes transportation easier. As it is a still drink, Amelia incorporates liquid nitrogen dosing technologya process that allows each can to maintain its firmness without resorting to carbonation and protects the freshness and original flavor of the tea.

Argentina and the global trend of Iced Tea

The launch of Amelia is not coincidental, but is aligned with market figures that position Argentina as a key player:

• Teal power: Argentina is the 9th world producer of tea and the main exporter in the region. 92% of national production (Misiones and Corrientes) is destined for the United States market, mainly for the production of cold tea.
• RTD Growth: The ready-to-drink beverage category is one of the fastest growing globally (5.7% annually), driven by the replacement of soft drinks with options perceived as more natural and functional.
• Mindful Drinking: According to the global consulting firm IWSR, the 58% of consumers globally are actively migrating toward low- and no-alcohol options.
• “Zero” consumers: He 35,8% of Generation Z already identifies as “teetotaler” (teetotaller), according to data from Attest, ensuring a mass market for functional and natural categories.
• National expansion: After landing on the Atlantic Coast in December 2025, Amelia plans to launch nationwide for August 2026aiming to reach the main supermarket chains and health stores in the country by the end of the year.

with just 43 kcal per can (compared to 150 kcal of an average soda), Amelia is presented as a healthy and functional alternative. “Our priority was to develop a light drink, still and with a balanced sweetness, that responds to what consumers are looking for today: practicality without sacrificing well-being,” concludes Retrivi.