AriZona Beverages, that classic Brooklyn outfit famous for their punchy flavors and those unbeatable 99-cent iced teas, just rolled out a brand-new Chocolate Egg Cream Soda. It’s hitting shelves all over the country, and it’s not just about the drink it’s tied to a heartfelt partnership with the Tunnel to Towers Foundation, paying tribute to fallen first responders and helping out veterans who need it most.
The new soda gets a direct borrowing from that old-time Brooklyn egg cream staple at the neighborhood soda shops back in the day. Funny coincidence, incidentally, given that there’s no egg and no cream in the thing at all, just chocolate syrup, milk, and bubbly seltzer churned together into a foamy treat. One of those old-timey delights that’s been a generations-long staple across New York.
A tweet from X.
Don Vultaggio, the guy who started AriZona, says this one’s a nod to his own Brooklyn upbringing, all while doing some good in the world.
“Tunnel to Towers stands for the best of what makes this country great—courage, sacrifice, and sticking together as a community,”
he put it.
Their take on it includes a creamy chocolate twist, and it’s made to last on the shelf so it can ship everywhere. It’s got that modern edge, but it still captures the essence of the original recipe that’s been around for over a hundred years.
What really sets this apart is the tie-in with Tunnel to Towers. The foundation got started back in 2002 to remember Stephen Siller, a NYC firefighter who died on 9/11. They hook up families of fallen first responders, Gold Star families, and seriously injured vets with mortgage-free homes no strings attached.
Frank Siller, who’s the chairman and CEO (and Stephen’s brother), couldn’t be happier about teaming up.
“This is a great way to celebrate Brooklyn’s traditions and keep my brother’s memory alive,”
He said.
“It lets us keep pushing forward, supporting the folks who’ve given everything for us.”
Last year, they handed over keys to 21 of those homes, and they’re ramping up efforts all across the U.S. With more than 33,000 vets facing homelessness every night here, stuff like this provides real help stable housing, mental health resources, and a way to keep families strong.
AriZona’s donating part of the sales to the foundation. From what they’ve shared on social media, it’s $1.11 for every case sold, but they’re a bit fuzzy on whether that’s across all stores or just for a limited time. Some folks in the know are pointing out that clearer details would be nice for full transparency in these kinds of charity deals.
You can grab the 22-ounce “Big Can” or a 12-pack at certain stores nationwide, or order online through DrinkAriZona.com. Right now, a 12-pack’s going for $24.99.
For a lot of people, this isn’t just another soda it’s a link to the past and a real way to pitch in. The egg cream’s pure New York nostalgia, and linking it to a cause like this makes it even more special.
As Vultaggio summed it up,
“We’re hoping folks realize that grabbing something fun like a chocolate egg cream can also mean helping out heroes and their loved ones.”
In the end, this Chocolate Egg Cream Soda bottles up a piece of Brooklyn’s soul while tackling something bigger supporting those who’ve put it all on the line for their communities. By mixing old-time charm with real giving, AriZona and Tunnel to Towers are giving everyone a shot at enjoying a fizzy chocolate treat and making a difference for vets and first responder families from coast to coast.
