Kool Aid Day

A Brief History of Kool Aid

It’s that time of year again! Time to break out the Pitcher O’ Kool Aid and celebrate one of America’s most beloved drinks. But what exactly is Kool Aid, and where did it come from? Read on to find out!

History of Kool Aid

Kool Aid was invented by Edwin Perkins in 1927. At the time, Perkins was living in Hastings, Nebraska and running a small business called Perkins Products. One of his most popular products was a concentrated fruit syrup that came in tiny bottles. To make the syrup go further, Perkins developed a way to powder the concentrate, which he sold in packages that could be mixed with water to create a fruity drink. He initially called the powdered drink “Fruit Smack” but later renamed it “Kool Aid” after hearing his customers refer to it by that name.

The first flavor of Kool Aid was cherry, but over the years Perkins introduced several other flavors, including grape, lemon-lime, orange, raspberry, and strawberry. In 1953, General Foods (which would later merge with Kraft) purchased Perkins Products and began mass-producing Kool Aid packets. Today there are more than 30 different flavors of Kool Aid available, including some limited edition flavors like tropical punch and watermelon.

What Can You Do With Kool Aid?

In addition to drinking it, there are all sorts of other ways to use Kool Aid.

Here are a few ideas:

• Add Kool Aid to white icing to transform it into vibrant colors perfect for decorating cakes or cupcakes.
• Mix different colors together to create custom colors for your desserts.
• Soak paper towels in various colors of Kool Aid to create homemade markers.
• Dip apples in a mixture of equal parts water and Kool Aid powder to create deliciously fruity candy apples.

So there you have it—a brief history of Kool Aid! This delicious drink has been quenching thirsts and brightening days for nearly a century now, and shows no signs of slowing down anytime soon. So grab yourself a pitcher of your favorite flavor and enjoy!