Alamo Heights is about to be flooded with thirst traps. No, the area is not being invaded by slightly salacious influencers. Still, Instagram feeds are likely to be swamped with photos of tall quenchers when iced tea chain HTeaO debuts its newest San Antonio shop, at 1638 NE Loop 410, on Saturday, August 23.
The beverage franchise is no stranger to San Antonio. After debuting in Stone Oak in summer 2021, it began rapidly expanding in the area. The Alamo Heights outpost will be the 12th HTeaO in the area, counting brick-and-mortars in Universal City, Helotes, and Gruene. The chain also operates a mobile trailer.
HTeaO’s growth in San Antonio, driven by local operator Joseph Percival, follows a nationwide trend of drink chain expansion across the U.S. Apparently, Americans are dehydrated and are clamoring for everything from drive-thru coffee to dirty sodas. McDonald’s even got into the game with CosMc’s, a plan the fast food giant abandoned in a market crowded with beverage upstarts.
As the name makes plain, Fort Worth-based HTeaO specializes in iced tea, but not the kind you might find old-timers sipping on a veranda. The chain boasts more than 20 flavors, including strawberry passion, sweet almond green, coconut, Georgia peach, and mint. For those who want more oomph, there’s also coffees like an iced cinnamon honey macchiato.
The franchise says their product edges out the competition by using all-natural ingredients and a special water filtration system (it’s probably not a Brita filter). The latter is proprietary, but HTeaO is happy to dish on its “secret” menu, listing concoctions like apple pie, cotton candy, and pink flamingo on a not-so-hidden corner of its website.
“It’s no surprise HTeaO has become a fan favorite across San Antonio,” says Perciful in a release. “With this new San Antonio location, we’re proud to offer another place for families, students, and neighbors from all over the city to connect and enjoy the tea they love.”
The Alamo Heights shop will celebrate its grand opening with a variety of deals. On Saturday, August 23, parched San Antonians will receive free cups of tea from 10 am-12 noon. The first 250 guests will also receive a limited-edition t-shirt.
The promotions continue throughout the week. Happy hour pricing is in effect both Saturday and Sunday, where visitors get buy-one, get-one teas all day. Gallons will also be half-priced through Saturday, August 30.
Once the deals run their course, HTeaO will be open seven days a week with somewhat quirky hours: Monday through Friday, 7 am-9:05 pm; Saturday, 8 am-9:05 pm, and Sunday, 11 am-9:05 pm. Make those extra five minutes count.