The recognizable tall can in pastel colours with floral motifs is one of the most iconic images of the American grocery shelf in the last thirty years. AriZona is more than just iced tea — it’s a cultural phenomenon that has changed the way Americans drink tea, and it’s now available in our OhMyCandyBox collection.
The Story Behind the Brand: From Brooklyn to Cult Status
AriZona was launched in 1992 in Brooklyn, New York, by Don Vultaggio and John Ferolito, two friends who previously ran a modest distribution of beer and soft drinks. Inspired by the growing popularity of the Snapple brand, they decided to enter the world of iced teas — but on their own terms. Instead of the standard 16-ounce bottle, they chose a tall 23-ounce can ("Big Can"), known from the beer world, to literally tower over the competition on the shelves. Along with it, they set a price of just 99 cents, printed directly on the can — a price that, despite decades of inflation, has hardly changed in the US to this day.
Where Does the Name AriZona Come From?
Interestingly, the brand has no real connection to the American state of Arizona — Vultaggio had never even visited the area before launching the product. He chose the name because it sounded warm, healthy, and dry, in contrast to the urban Brooklyn where he grew up. The recognizable Southern design of the can is inspired by the turquoise and pink tones of his family home, while the cherry blossom motif on the Green Tea can came from a combination of a perfume bottle and a picture book of his son.
Green Tea, Arnold Palmer, and Other Classics
The best-selling flavour in the brand's history is Green Tea with honey and ginseng, recognizable by its delicate cherry blossom motif. Equally popular is Arnold Palmer — a mix of iced tea and lemonade named after the legendary golfer — which has grown from humble beginnings into a product worth over 100 million dollars in annual sales. In addition to these, AriZona offers a wide range of fruity flavours, from peach to watermelon, always in the same recognizable, colourful packaging.
AriZona Compared to Other American Beverages
While AriZona offers a lighter, tea profile with notes of fruit and honey, our Calypso collection brings a fuller, thicker experience of real lemonade with chunks of lemon — a great combination if you love variety in your summer drink stash. For a classic fizzy refreshing experience, check out the Fanta collection, and explore the entire range of imported beverages in our American drinks collection.
Perfect for Every Day and as a Gift
Thanks to its accessible, refreshing profile, AriZona is a great choice for quenching your thirst every day, summer days, and as a nostalgic gift for anyone familiar with American pop culture. If you’re looking for a bigger gesture gift, check out our digital gift cards, which allow the recipient to choose what to order from our selection.
Why Order from OhMyCandyBox
OhMyCandyBox is the leading online store for American and international products in Europe. By ordering with us, you get:
- Fast delivery within 2–3 working days for Europe and Slovenia
- Free delivery for orders over 49 €
- Cash on delivery option
- Careful packaging of cans to ensure they arrive intact
Frequently Asked Questions About AriZona
Where Does AriZona Iced Tea Come From?
AriZona was launched in 1992 in Brooklyn, New York, by Don Vultaggio and John Ferolito. Despite its name, the brand has no real connection to the American state of Arizona — the name was chosen because it sounded warm and healthy.
Why is AriZona Known for the 99 Cent Price?
The 99 cent price was printed directly on the original "Big Can" from 1992 and has become the brand's trademark, a symbol of affordability that the company maintains despite rising production costs.
What is the Most Popular AriZona Flavour?
The best-selling flavour is Green Tea with honey and ginseng, recognizable by the cherry blossom motif on the can. Arnold Palmer, a mix of iced tea and lemonade, is also very popular.
What is Arnold Palmer Drink?
Arnold Palmer is a mix of half iced tea and half lemonade, named after the legendary American golfer who loved to order this drink. AriZona popularised it as one of its best-selling products.
How Long Does Delivery Take in Europe?
Delivery for Europe and Slovenia takes 2 to 3 working days, with free delivery for orders over 49 euros.
