Let’s be honest. Is there anything better than an excellent ol’ can of Arizona?
Picture this: it’s a scorching summer afternoon, and you’ve had the longest day imaginable. You’re desperate for a flavorful drink to quench your thirst, so you quickly stop at the convenience store on your way home. And boom! That is where you lock eyes with a life-changing beverage: Arizona.
From iced tea to juice cocktails to energy drinks, this American beverage giant makes all sorts of refreshing products for consumers to enjoy. And judging by its popularity, it’s doing something right.
If you want to learn more about America’s #1 iced tea brand, this blog has got you covered! Keep reading for the 411 on all things Arizona.
Who Owns Arizona Beverage Company?
Your favorite beverage company was founded by Don Vultaggio and John Ferolito in 1992, and let’s just say it was quite the journey! Today, it is family-owned and operated by Chairman Vultaggio.
The Roots of the Company
Though Arizona Beverage Company didn’t officially launch until 1992, Vultaggio and Ferolito have been making waves in the beverage industry since the 1970s. So let’s take a trip down memory lane, shall we?
In the early 1970s, Vultaggio decided to launch a beverage distribution business in Brooklyn, New York. To kick things off and turn his dream into reality, he partnered up with Ferolito, a young beer distributor he met on the way. Together, the two set out to do the unthinkable.
All it took was an old van and a little ambition to get things going! The duo used this vehicle to haul beer and soda to various neighborhoods in Brooklyn, some of which were notorious for being high in crime. And before you knew it, business was booming quicker than you can say Arizona!
However, even though things had taken off, trouble knocked on the duo’s door a little too often. According to Vultaggio, they were robbed a whopping 100 times. Yes, a hundred! Ilene, his wife, compared those days to the Wild West and recalled how the alarms went off practically every night. Scary, isn’t it?
By the time 1985 rolled around, the two wanted to switch things up a little, so they ventured into the world of brewing. More specifically, they developed a malt liquor named Midnight Dragon. To boost sales, the two sold the drink at an incredibly low price and used bold marketing techniques. And well, it’s safe to say these strategies got the job done!
But wait, there’s more. Why stop at just one malt liquor, right? These two decided to kick things up a notch and launch a second beverage called Crazy Horse in 1992. Just like Midnight Dragon, the drink was quite the hit. And hey, with packaging inspired by old Western movies, it was bound to be a success. However, the drink did run into controversy when Native Americans protested against the offensive name. Later, it was renamed Crazy Stallion.
The Launch and Development of AriZona
That same year, Arizona Beverage Company was officially born. That’s right! In 1992, Vultaggio and Ferolito launched yet another new product: a little something we know and love as Arizona Iced Tea. It’s like the innovation just didn’t stop. Seriously!
The duo was quite impressed by the success of Snapple, another Brooklyn-based beverage company, and they knew they wanted to enter that same market. So to make their tea stand out, they introduced pastel-colored packaging and sold the drink in a 24-ounce can instead of the typical 16-ounce one. The motto was simple: the bigger and bolder, the better!
Fun fact: the brand was initially named Santa Fe! Vultaggio’s house in Brooklyn had an adobe-style design, so he figured Santa Fe would be an appropriate name for the drink. However, he later thought it didn’t look right. And well, the rest is history!
In an interview with CNN, Vultaggio revealed why he specifically named the brand Arizona. Believe it or not, he had never visited the state or even traveled west of the Mississippi River. So then, what was the reason?
The founder associated Arizona with a healthy and clean feel, and he figured the name would prompt consumers to grab a can of refreshing iced tea. It makes sense, doesn’t it?
In May 1992, the lemon and raspberry iced teas were officially in stores, and to say that they were an instant hit would be an understatement. The duo introduced other exciting flavors in the following years, including peach and honey. In just three years, the brand sold 18 million cases! And by the 2000s, it was producing more tea than its biggest rival, Snapple. Can you believe that?
Today, Don Vultaggio still serves as the Chairman of Arizona, and the brand is undoubtedly a global success. As the website states, the company is family-owned and operated to this day, and it’s safe to say that the team genuinely prioritizes its customers.
Here’s a picture of Vultaggio with his two sons, Wesley and Spencer. You can even find this image on their website! How adorable.
Where is Arizona Beverage Company Located?
Arizona started in Brooklyn, New York, but its headquarters can be found in Woodbury today. Lucky for you, if you want to get your hands on one of these beverages, they’re available worldwide. Well, they’re most commonly found in the U.S., Canada, and Mexico, but there’s always Amazon!
Are Arizona Iced Teas Healthy?
We hate to be the bearer of bad news, but Arizona Iced Teas are unfortunately not healthy. As delicious as they are, they’re full of sugar and other harmful ingredients like high fructose corn syrup. Sad.
Let’s just cut right to the chase. As much as it pains us to say this, Arizona’s iced teas aren’t good news for our bodies. In fact, they’re sort of the opposite.
Here are the ingredients you’ll find in the 20-ounce bottle of the Arizona Sweet Tea:
- A premium brewed blend of black teas using filtered water
- High fructose corn syrup (glucose-fructose syrup)
- Ascorbic acid (Vitamin C)
- Citric acid
- Natural flavors
Okay, let’s stop here and look at this ingredient called high fructose corn syrup. This ingredient might look innocent on the surface, but it’s much more harmful than you think. Plus, it contains no essential nutrients.
Research indicates that a high intake of fructose can increase your chances of developing fatty liver disease, type 2 diabetes, and heart disease. On top of that, it can also lead to weight gain and obesity.
Now, let’s talk about nutritional value. Here are the nutrition facts about a 16.9-ounce bottle of Arizona Sweet Tea:
- 170 calories
- 43 grams of sugar
Do you see those numbers? They’re not going to do your health any good. Trust us.
You see, liquid sugar doesn’t make you feel full, no matter how hard you try. Unfortunately, that means you’ll naturally drink one too many beverages to stimulate fullness. And well, we all know what that leads to: weight gain and obesity!
Unfortunately, it gets worse. Excessive consumption of sugar is also linked to type 2 diabetes. And as if that wasn’t enough either, sugar can also increase your risk of developing heart disease. Ouch.
Don’t take us the wrong way! Of course, it’s okay to indulge in a guilty pleasure now and then, and we know just how tempting a bottle of Arizona Iced Tea can be, but make sure to tone down your consumption if you prioritize your health.
Is The 99-Cents Tag on the Can Real?
It sure is! The Arizona can has been 99 cents since its launch in 1992. Though inflation has caused costs to increase, the company has never raised the price. Instead, it wrings costs by using less aluminum, boosting efficiency, and building facilities. Talk about consistency and dedication.
What are the Most Popular Flavors?
Though Arizona has a wide range of flavors, some of the most popular ones are Green Tea with Ginseng and Honey, Arnold Palmer, Lemon Tea, Mucho Mango, Sweet Tea, Raspberry Tea, and Peach Tea. Go ahead and try them out to find your favorite!
Conclusion
Yum. Are you guys craving a chilled can of Arizona right about now? We know we sure are!
This fresh take on iced tea has taken the entire world by storm (and for a good reason, too!). There’s just something irresistible about the brand and its endless range of products.
Thanks to the delicious taste and the colorful packaging, it’s just about impossible not to purchase a beverage (or two)! Plus, the 99-cent price tag on the signature can doesn’t hurt either. We know our wallets are going to be thanking us for that one.
Go ahead and see what the hype is about! Visit your nearest grocery store, or hop on the Internet to place an order if that’s more your thing. We’re dying to know your thoughts on Arizona.
