Gothamist

A non-profit newsroom, powered by WNYC.

Gothamist

WNYC Listen Live

Donate

 

 

News

AriZona Iced Tea Upset You Think They're From Arizona


By

Jaya Saxena

Published Apr 28, 2010

Modified Apr 28, 2010


Share

FacebookTwitterRedditEmail


Never miss a story

 Email address

By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .


By

Jaya Saxena

Published Apr 28, 2010

Modified Apr 28, 2010


Share

FacebookTwitterRedditEmail


We rely on your support to make local news available to all

Make your contribution now and help Gothamist thrive in 2026. Donate today

Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations

The makers of AriZona Iced Tea want you to know that capital Z is completely intentional, lest you actually think they're from the boycott-inducing state of Arizona. The Long Island based company took to their website to make sure anybody thinking of boycotting an Arizona product knows to keep buying their 99 cent cans of Ginseng Green Tea:

We have become aware of misinformation being circulated about AriZona Beverages and we would like to make sure statements about our company are correct. As many of you know, AriZona Beverages proudly traces its origins back to New York. In 1992, two hard working guys from Brooklyn with a dream created AriZona Iced Tea. Since then, and despite the wonderful success AriZona has enjoyed throughout the United States and internationally, we have remained loyal to our family run business based in New York. For the last 16 years our headquarters have remained on Long Island where we continue to sell and distribute AriZona Iced Teas and beverages.

We are very proud to be an American company with roots in New York and we look forward to continuing to provide you with the high quality and value driven products we've been making for the last 18 years.

Don Vultaggio, Founder and Chairman
AriZona Beverages

So how did a Brooklyn company get a name like AriZona in the first place? Vultaggio was actually trying to find a name as distinctive as "Snapple," and chose Arizona after looking at a map and remembering his uncle moved there for his asthma. The company actually originated by selling Midnight Dragon malt liquor, but started selling iced tea after seeing the demand for Snapple at a local grocery store.

Tagged

arizona

arizona iced tea

boycott

brooklyn

iced tea


Jaya Saxena

Read more

Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations


Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations


MORE news

NYC has a plan to stop homeless people from cycling between hospitals and the streets

The Bridge to Home program, which began last year, will officially expand to Brooklyn on Tuesday.

By

Karen Yi

Published Sep 29, 2026 at 8:00 a.m. ET


Early Addition: Billy Joel is auctioning off 70 of his motorcycles

Because he doesn't need that many bikes, here are your early links: NYC Ferry fares could be going up, Hell's Kitchen climbing gym closing, Jalen Brunson just wasn't that funny on SNL and more.

By

James Ramsay

News

Early Addition: Billy Joel is auctioning off 70 of his motorcycles

Because he doesn't need that many bikes, here are your early links: NYC Ferry fares could be going up, Hell's Kitchen climbing gym closing, Jalen Brunson just wasn't that funny on SNL and more.

By

James Ramsay


Man dragged to death by Subway in Brooklyn after getting caught on closing doors

By

Brittany Kriegstein

Upper East Side braces for affordable housing fast track, and backlash from residents

By

David Brand

Plan to modernize NYC's diesel-spewing produce market falls apart under Mamdani

By

Elizabeth Kim


Never miss a story

Catch up on the most important headlines with a roundup of essential NYC stories, delivered to your inbox daily.

Sign upEmail address

By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .