In September 2024, Maya Tea Company introduced Philters, a line of non-alcoholic spirits
crafted with botanicals, adaptogens, and nootropics. They offer a drinking experience blending flavor, complexity, and depth for people seeking a craft cocktail without the negative consequences of alcohol.
Maya Tea Company CEO and founder Manish Shah spent five years developing these recipes. The name itself is a nod to the word “philter,” meaning a potion with magical properties.
For Shah, who founded Maya Tea Company in 1996 and Transit Tea in 2021, Philters
showcases his expertise in blending botanicals.
“Tucson is a tea town,” he said. “I wanted to see if we could take tea somewhere it’s never been before.”
Currently, the line-up of spirits includes Wiski, Jynn, Mezkahl and Rhum, inspired by their
phonetic counterparts. For instance, Wiski has malt, smoke, and oak characters of whiskey,
while the Jynn features a juniper and botanical-forward flavor profile of gin.
Unlike their alcohol-including counterparts, Philters non-alcoholic spirits gain complexity through ingredients such as holy basil, lemon verbena, and lapsang souchong — ingredients vary with each spirit.
Find bottles of Philters at Transit Tea and Westbound at the MSA Annex. Find it in cocktails at The Coronet, Tap & Bottle, Portal and Café a la C’Art. Order online at philters.com.
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