Arizona Iced Tea's History

The famous 99 cent AriZona Tea was created in the 1990"s and has since become a staple drink for the state. Something I found out recently that surprised me is the drink wasn't actually created in Arizona! It had me wondering, how did it get it's name, and how is it still only 99 cents?!

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The History

In 1992 AriZona Tea made its debut in its large 24 once cans. At the time, most soda and other beverages were sold in 12–16-ounce cans. The drink is recognized for its colorful cans and distinct art. Despite it's name, the drink was actually created in New York City by a man named Vultaggio.

When discussing a name for the iced tea, Vultaggio wanted a name and design that felt warm. Originally the name was "Sante Fe" due to Vultaggio's adobe house in New York his friends nicknamed Sante Fe. The name didn't sound quite right, and the brainstorming continued. Ultimately, he settled on the name AriZona. He had never actually been to Arizona according to CNN, but he associated it with warm weather and a dry, clean feel.

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Still 99 Cents?

Despite the rising cost of canned drinks, AriZona Tea has never cost more than 99 cents. After over 30 years of production, how has this company managed to stay profitable? Well part of it is the number of factories they opened up, they're speed of production, and the density of their cans, but marketing also plays a huge part.

Unlike companies like Coca-Cola and Snapple, AriZona has never been big on making advertisements. They don't really do commercials, and it seems the marketing relies heavily on the can's unique dealing. The colorful can's draw attention to it when it's on the shelf, and after realizing it only costs 99 cents, who wouldn't want to try a can?

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READ MORE ABOUT ARIZONA ICED TEA: The Shocking Reason Behind AriZona's Name

I know I enjoy AriZona Tea for its affordability and warm flavor. Even though I've lived in Arizona my entire life, I am not upset that the drink is from somewhere else. If anything, I appreciate the Arizona representation!

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