How much sugar is in Arizona tea? A nutritional breakdown

November 14, 2025 •

4 min read

A single 23-ounce can of Arizona Green Tea with Ginseng and Honey contains approximately 51 grams of sugar, a substantial amount that often goes unnoticed by consumers. This reveals a critical question for many: how much sugar is in Arizona tea and what does it mean for your health?

Quick Summary

This article provides a comprehensive breakdown of the sugar content found in various Arizona tea flavors, comparing popular varieties like Lemon and Green Tea with their diet and unsweetened counterparts. Learn the impact of this high sugar content on health and discover healthier beverage options.

Key Points

High Sugar Content: Many popular Arizona tea flavors contain very high amounts of added sugar, sometimes exceeding that found in a similar serving of soda.
Serving Size is Deceiving: The high sugar count in a typical 23-ounce can is often hidden by labeling that reports figures per an 8-ounce serving.
'Healthy' Flavors Aren't Always Low-Sugar: The Green Tea with Ginseng and Honey flavor, despite its seemingly healthy ingredients, is heavily sweetened with high fructose corn syrup and honey.
Health Risks Associated with Sugar: The excessive sugar in these drinks can contribute to weight gain, type 2 diabetes, heart disease, and dental problems.
Zero-Sugar Alternatives Exist: Arizona offers unsweetened and zero-calorie versions of its teas, which are significantly better for managing sugar intake.
Control Your Sugar Intake: For optimal health, choose unsweetened options, dilute sweetened versions, or make homemade iced tea to manage sugar levels.

Understanding Sugar Content Across Arizona Tea Flavors

Many consumers enjoy Arizona teas for their flavor and low price, but the sugar content can be surprisingly high. The amount of sugar varies significantly between different flavors and container sizes, so reading the nutrition label is crucial. Most popular sweetened Arizona teas use high fructose corn syrup as a primary sweetener, which contributes heavily to their sugar and calorie counts.

Popular Flavors and Their Sugar Levels

Let's break down the sugar content for some of Arizona's most recognized products, using an 8-ounce serving size for an easy point of comparison, and then scaling it for common bottle or can sizes.

Arizona Original Iced Tea with Lemon Flavor: An 8-ounce serving contains approximately 24 grams of sugar. Given that a standard can is 23 ounces, consuming the entire can means ingesting about 69 grams of sugar. This is a significant portion of the total carbohydrates in the drink, often listed as 25g per 8oz serving.
Arizona Green Tea with Ginseng and Honey: Often perceived as a healthier option due to its ingredients, this tea still packs a considerable amount of sugar. An 8-ounce serving typically has about 25 grams of total sugar, with the full 23-ounce can containing around 51 grams. The sugar comes from both honey and high fructose corn syrup.
Arizona Southern Style Real Brewed Sweet Tea: True to its name, this variety is one of the sweetest. An 8-ounce serving can contain as much as 32 grams of sugar. Drinking a gallon of this tea, which contains multiple 8-ounce servings, would lead to an extremely high sugar intake.

The Health Implications of High Sugar Content

Consuming sugary beverages like most Arizona teas can have several negative health consequences, according to health experts. The high intake of added sugars is linked to a higher risk of health issues, including obesity, heart disease, and type 2 diabetes. For example, the American Heart Association recommends that women limit added sugar to 6 teaspoons (about 24 grams) per day, while men should stick to 9 teaspoons (about 36 grams). Drinking even a single 8-ounce serving of many Arizona teas already approaches or exceeds these daily limits.

Furthermore, the dental impact of these sugary drinks is a concern. The sugar can combine with bacteria in the mouth to produce acids that weaken tooth enamel, leading to plaque buildup and cavities.

Comparing Sugar in Arizona Tea vs. Other Beverages

This table provides a clearer perspective on how the sugar content in Arizona tea stacks up against other common drinks, all based on a standard 8-ounce serving. It highlights that many sweetened iced teas are comparable to or even sweeter than some sodas on a per-ounce basis.


Beverage Type	Approx. Sugar per 8oz Serving	Comparison Point
Arizona Lemon Iced Tea	24 grams	High sugar; comparable to other sweetened teas.
Arizona Green Tea	25 grams	High sugar despite being 'green tea.'
Arizona Southern Sweet Tea	32 grams	Very high sugar, exceeding typical soda levels.
Coca-Cola Classic	27 grams	Similar or less than some Arizona flavors.
Unsweetened Arizona Tea	0 grams	No added sugar, healthy option.
Homemade Iced Tea (Unsweetened)	0 grams	Naturally sugar-free, can be sweetened with moderation.

The Zero-Sugar Alternative: A Better Choice?

For those who love the flavor of Arizona tea but want to avoid the sugar, the company offers several alternatives. Options such as Arizona Zero Calorie Green Iced Tea with Ginseng contain zero calories and zero sugar, using alternative sweeteners instead. These are excellent options for people watching their sugar intake or managing conditions like diabetes.

Tips for Reducing Sugar Intake from Arizona Tea

If you're looking to cut down on sugar while still enjoying iced tea, here are some actionable tips:

Opt for Unsweetened or Zero-Calorie Varieties: These options provide the flavor you crave without the sugar overload.
Dilute with Water: If you have a sweetened Arizona tea, try diluting it with water or unflavored seltzer. This will reduce the overall sweetness and sugar content per serving.
Make Your Own Iced Tea: Brewing your own tea at home gives you complete control over the amount and type of sweetener used. You can add a little bit of honey, a natural sugar substitute, or nothing at all.
Check the Label: Always read the nutrition facts before purchasing. Be wary of marketing that suggests a drink is 'healthy' based on ingredients like green tea or ginseng, as the added sugar can counteract any potential benefits.

Conclusion

While Arizona tea is known for its refreshing taste and low price, many of its popular varieties are very high in sugar, rivaling or exceeding the content in many sodas. The 23-ounce cans of Lemon Iced Tea and Green Tea with Honey and Ginseng, for example, contain well over the American Heart Association's recommended daily limit for added sugar. For those looking to manage their sugar intake and improve their overall health, opting for unsweetened or zero-calorie versions or making your own iced tea are far superior choices. Always check the nutrition facts to make an informed decision about your beverage consumption.

For more detailed information on the health effects of excessive sugar, you can consult reliable sources such as the American Heart Association's dietary guidelines. Find Out More about Added Sugars

Frequently Asked Questions

Yes, a 23-ounce can of Arizona Green Tea with Ginseng and Honey contains about 51 grams of sugar. This is a very high amount for a single beverage and significantly exceeds daily recommended sugar limits.

Not necessarily. On a per-ounce basis, many sweetened Arizona teas have a similar or even higher sugar content than popular sodas. Both are loaded with added sugars like high fructose corn syrup.

An 8-ounce serving of Arizona's Original Iced Tea with Lemon Flavor contains 24 grams of sugar. A full 23-ounce can would have approximately 69 grams.

Yes, Arizona offers sugar-free and zero-calorie options. For example, the Arizona Zero Calorie Green Iced Tea with Ginseng contains no sugar and uses alternative sweeteners.

Yes, diluting sweetened Arizona tea with water is an effective way to reduce the amount of sugar you consume per serving. This also helps moderate the intense sweetness.

Homemade iced tea has zero sugar unless you add it yourself, giving you full control over the sweetness. Bottled Arizona teas contain large amounts of pre-added sweeteners.

Arizona uses high fructose corn syrup as a primary sweetener because it is an inexpensive and readily available ingredient that provides a high level of sweetness.