Where is AriZona Iced Tea made? Hint: it's not Arizona. Here's what to know
Cherry blossoms reach peak bloom around late March and early April. But if you want to see shades of pink in Arizona, you don't have to wait until spring rolls around again. Instead, head to your local convenience store, pick up a can of AriZona iced green tea and admire the aluminum's vibrant cherry blossom design.
“We use packaging and a value story, then a great product inside," Don Vultaggio, the man primarily responsible for keeping this canned beverage relevant for over 30 years, told CNN. “The first time a person buys us is because of the package. And forever more, they’re buying it because it tastes great.”
Since this cool beverage shares our state's namesake, here's everything you need to know about AriZona Iced Tea.
Who is the owner of AriZona Iced Tea?
In 1991, Don Vultaggio abandoned his malt liquor business to pursue bottled iced tea. The seemingly out-of-left-field decision was actually inspired by one of AriZona's biggest competitors —Snapple. When Vultaggio realized the demand for a refreshing, non-soda beverage was high, he was ready to jump ship a year later.
According to TODAY, Vultaggio was estimated to be worth around $3 billion as of June 2024. But Vultaggio's road to turning his idea of oversized cans of tea into a multi-billion dollar company wasn't without obstacles.
One of his most public battles was with John Ferolito, his friend and 50% partner of 40 years. It took a confidential settlement in 2015 to resolve their decade-long dispute that nearly dissolved AriZona's empire.
His sons Wesley, AriZona's chief creative officer, and Spencer, the chief marketing officer, are now Vultaggio's eyes and ears. The brothers have tapped into the merchandising business, creating everything from swim trunks to sunglasses to roller skates.
“Our design process starts with an ear to the street, tapping into current trends and understanding what our consumers are passionate about," the Vultaggio brothers told Forbes. "We draw inspiration from streetwear, popular culture, and of course, our iconic beverage label creative.”
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Which state is home to AriZona Iced Tea?
Despite its name, AriZona Iced Tea is headquartered in New York. Vultaggio, a Brooklyn native, had never visited the Grand Canyon state when he named the drink, but he was inspired by what he imagined Southwestern culture was like.
“I always associated Arizona with a healthy, clean and dry feel that was different from the Brooklyn feel,” Vultaggio told CNN. “Having a name associated with a lifestyle, which is an environment and climate that made you want to grab a refreshing iced tea. That’s why the name seemed to make sense to me.”
What flavors of AriZona Iced Tea are there?
AriZona's dynasty began with pink and turquoise cans of lemon and raspberry teas. It wasn't until the company sold millions of cases of the fruity combination that it branched out to peach and mango.
In 1996, it introduced green tea with ginseng and honey flavor in its iconic cherry blossom can. This flavor remains AriZona's most popular product.
In 2002, Vultaggio made a deal with Arnold Palmer to produce the golf legend's half-tea, half-lemonade hybrid. This golf course staple became available in convenience stores and supermarkets across the country, with Palmer's face plastered on the front, of course.
But iced tea only accounts for approximately 25% of the company's overall sales nowadays, according to Inc. Magazine. Instead, juices, coffee grounds, powdered mixes, sparkling waters, popsicles and fruit snacks make up a significant portion of AriZona's sales and can all be ordered through the company's website.
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Does AriZona Iced Tea have alcoholic beverages?
To compete with the popular 21-and-over tallboys like White Claws and Twisted Teas, AriZona released a line of spiked beverages. AriZona Hard offers its traditional iced tea, lemonade and juice flavors with 5% alcohol by volume.
Many retailers in and around Arizona sell party packs, a 12-pack of 12-ounce cans or single cans when provided with a valid ID.
How much is AriZona Iced Tea? Is it still 99 cents?
A gallon of gas only cost $1.13 in 1992, the year AriZona rolled out its first batch of 99-cent cans. More than 30 years later, in a time when many Arizonans consider themselves lucky to find a pump charging triple that amount, AriZona still prints a 99-cent label on each can.
"People say, ‘How do you do that?’ We make it faster. We ship it better. We ship it closer. The cans are thinner," Vultaggio told TODAY in a recent interview.
The company's evolution in manufacturing and distribution processes isn't the only reason they have resisted inflation over the years. Vultaggio and his sons' end-to-end business eliminates third-party costs, avoids debt and ensures they own everything, contributing to their sustained growth against competitors like Coca-Cola's Honest Tea, Unilever's Lipton and Dr Pepper's Snapple.
“To me, the worst day as a salesman is to go to a retailer and say, ‘Hey, by the way, I’m raising the price on that can today,” Vultaggio also told TODAY.
While the suggested 99-cent price is printed on most cans, retailers are independent businesspeople and have the right to set their own prices. That's why you may buy an AriZona can at a higher price at a gas station or liquor store.