You can actually drink it hot or cold. I usually get mine from CVS or any local grocery store,even at the dollar store they have them. Sometimes they are in the cold drink area, otherwise just on the shelf. I don't know if has a lot of Sugar in it, in looking at the bottle now, it uses Honey, so that could be the replacement for the sugar. The bottle notes its 100% natural and no preservatives as well. But yeah I really don't know how it does, but I guess its mostly the green tea. But I've had other green tea, and it doesn't work as quickly as this drink does.