AriZona Bets on Viral Fame With Rizzler Drink Launch

Quick listen: How AriZona turned a viral meme into a real product launch — in under 2 minutes.

AriZona is turning a joke into its next big bet.

The beverage brand confirmed it is releasing "Rizzler Berry," a fizzy fruit drink born from an April Fools’ prank that unexpectedly went viral.

The launch marks AriZona’s first official collaboration with nine-year-old internet star Christian Joseph Savasta, better known online as "The Rizzler."

Notably, the announcement came after AriZona teased mock-up cans earlier this year, labeling Savasta its “Chief Rizz Officer.”

The posts caught fire, racking up millions of views and sparking fan speculation about whether the drink was real.

AriZona’s CMO Spencer Vultaggio said the response convinced the company to make the flavor for real.

Savasta, who rose to fame through TikTok memes and collaborations with other internet personalities, described the taste simply as "fizzy" and similar to berry juice, "sweet but not too sweet.”

The new blend features six flavors:

• Strawberry
• Cherry
• Raspberry
• Blackberry
• Apple
• Blue Raspberry

Turning a Prank Into a Product

AriZona has gone all-in on the campaign, sending Savasta on a behind-the-scenes tour of its 60-acre factory in New Jersey, dubbed “AriZonaLand.”

There, he joined co-founder Don Vultaggio to mix test batches in the lab, giving the launch a playful, story-driven buildup.

The brand says the drink will debut in October in its signature 23-ounce cans for 99 cents, keeping with its long-standing promise not to raise prices despite industry cost pressures.

AriZona has maintained this strategy for decades, even as tariffs on aluminum and inflation hit the beverage market.

Beyond the new flavor, the campaign highlights AriZona’s growing embrace of influencer-led branding.

Overall, I think "Rizzler Berry" is as much about internet culture as it is about taste, extending AriZona’s relevance with younger audiences through meme marketing.

Our Take: Can A Meme Sell Drinks?

It's a risky move, but I don't doubt the Rizzler's star power and ability to sell a drink.

The brand and the influencer have proven that online virality can have a direct pipeline to retail shelves, just by turning a one-off joke into a real product.

However, the challenge here is making sure it doesn’t just burn fast and disappear.

Even when it feels a little silly, brands should commit more and trust that internet culture can strengthen long-term loyalty.

Sometimes, listening to memes can be a marketing strategy of its own.

In other news, Levi’s recently rolled out its Icons campaign, spotlighting classic denim fits while pushing a modern message to younger shoppers.