View source for Kool-Aid

{{short description|Flavored drink mix}}
{{About|the flavored drink mix and pouched beverage|other uses|Cool Aid (disambiguation)}}
{{Pp-vandalism|small=yes|expiry=indefinite}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=June 2025}}
{{Use American English|date=June 2025}}
{{Infobox Brand
|name=Kool-Aid
|logo= Kool aid brand logo.png
| logo_size = 200
|image=
|type= [[Drink mix]]
|currentowner= [[Kraft Heinz]]
|origin= [[United States]]
|introduced= {{start date and age|1927}}
|discontinued=
|related=
|markets= Worldwide
|previousowners=
|trademarkregistrations=
|website= {{URL|https://www.koolaid.com/|koolaid.com}}
}}
'''Kool-Aid''' is an American brand of flavored [[drink mix]] owned by [[Kraft Heinz]] based in [[Chicago]], Illinois. The powder form was created by [[Edwin Perkins (inventor)|Edwin Perkins]] in 1927 based upon a liquid concentrate named '''Fruit Smack'''.

==History==
[[File:Koolaidstart.jpg|thumb|right|250px|The building in [[Hastings, Nebraska]], where Kool-Aid was invented]]
Kool-Aid was invented by [[Edwin Perkins (inventor)|Edwin Perkins]] in [[Hastings, Nebraska]]. All of his experiments took place in his mother's kitchen.<ref>[https://archive.today/20120712100310/http://inventors.about.com/od/kstartinventions/a/koolaid.htm The History of Kool-Aid and Edwin Perkins].</ref> Its predecessor was a liquid concentrate called Fruit Smack. To reduce shipping costs, in 1927, Perkins discovered a way to remove the liquid from Fruit Smack, leaving only a powder; this powder was named Kool-Aid. Perkins moved his production to [[Chicago]] in 1931 and Kool-Aid was sold to [[General Foods]] in 1953.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.hastingsmuseum.org/koolaid/kahistory.htm|title=History of Kool-Aid|publisher=Hastings Museum of Culture and History|access-date=May 16, 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080615160059/http://www.hastingsmuseum.org/koolaid/kahistory.htm|url-status=dead|archive-date=June 15, 2008}}</ref> Hastings still celebrates a yearly summer festival called Kool-Aid Days on the second weekend in August in honor of their city's claim to fame. Kool-Aid is known as [[Nebraska]]'s official [[soft drink]].<ref>{{Cite news |date=May 22, 1998 |title=Nebraska takes sweet turn, names Kool-Aid state drink |work=Deseret News |url=http://www.deseretnews.com/article/631464/Nebraska-takes-sweet-turn-names-Kool-Aid-state-drink.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201112035503/https://www.deseret.com/1998/5/22/19381503/nebraska-takes-sweet-turn-names-kool-aid-state-drink |archive-date=November 12, 2020}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news | url=http://www.thefencepost.com/article/20110809/NEWS/110809900/1032&ParentProfile=1001 | work=The Fence Post | title=Nebraska's official soft drink celebrated at the 14th Annual Kool-Aid Days on Aug. 12-14 | first=Angela | last=Gustafson | date=August 9, 2011 | access-date=February 19, 2020 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130526175356/http://www.thefencepost.com/article/20110809/NEWS/110809900/1032%26ParentProfile%3D1001 | archive-date=May 26, 2013 | url-status=dead }}</ref>

An agreement between Kraft Foods and [[SodaStream]] in 2012 made Kool-Aid's various flavors available for consumer purchases and use with SodaStream's home soda maker machine.<ref>{{cite news |date=July 18, 2012 |title=Kraft and SodaStream in deal for Kool-Aid |newspaper=[[The Chicago Tribune]] |agency=[[Reuters]] |url=https://www.chicagotribune.com/2012/07/18/kraft-and-sodastream-in-deal-for-kool-aid/ |url-status=live |access-date=July 30, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120722160013/https://articles.chicagotribune.com/2012-07-18/business/chi-kraft-and-sodastream-in-deal-for-koolaid-20120718_1_kool-aid-kraft-foods-sodastream |archive-date=July 22, 2012}}</ref>

There is an active scene of Kool-Aid collectors. A rare old Kool-Aid package can be traded for up to several hundred dollars on auction websites.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Hodge |first1=Will |title=Inside the black (cherry) market of vintage Kool-Aid packet collectors |url=https://thetakeout.com/inside-black-market-vintage-kool-aid-packet-collectors-1835123510 |access-date=13 June 2019 |work=The Takeout |date=6 June 2019}}</ref>

==Production==
Kool-Aid is usually sold in powder form, in either packets or small tubs. It is prepared by mixing the powder with sugar (the packets of powder are usually, though not always, unsweetened) and water, typically by the pitcherful. The drink is usually either served with ice or refrigerated and served chilled. Additionally, there are some sugar-free varieties.

Kool-Aid is also sold as single-serving packets designed to be poured into bottled water, as small [[plastic bottle]]s with pre-mixed drink, or as such novelties as ice cream or fizzing tablets.

The colors in Kool-Aid will stain, and hence the substance can be used as a [[dye]] for either [[hair]]<ref>{{cite web|author1=Matt Molstad|title=How to dip dye your hair with kool-aid|url=http://www.wikihow.com/Dip-Dye-Hair-with-Kool-Aid|website=Wiki how|access-date=October 30, 2014|display-authors=etal}}</ref> or [[wool]].<ref>{{cite web|last1=Porter|first1=Kristi|title=Dyed in the wool|url=http://www.knitty.com/ISSUEfall02/FEATdyedwool.html|website=knitty}}</ref>

[[File:Kool aid..jpg|thumb]]

==Advertising and promotion==
{{see also|Kool-Aid Man}}
The Kool-Aid Man, an [[anthropomorphism|anthropomorphic]] pitcher filled with Kool-Aid, is the [[mascot]] of Kool-Aid. The character was introduced shortly after General Foods acquired the brand in the 1950s. In television and print ads, the Kool-Aid Man was known for randomly bursting through walls of children's homes and proceeding to make a batch of Kool-Aid for them. His [[catchphrase]] is "Oh, yeah!". In 2013, Kraft decided to overhaul the Kool-Aid Man, reimagining him as a CGI character, "a celebrity trying to show that he's just an ordinary guy."<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.idigitaltimes.com/articles/16700/20130415/new-kool-aid-man-oh-yeah-mio.htm|title=New Kool-Aid Man: Oh Yeah! What Does The New Kool-Aid Man Look Like? [VIDEO]|last=Van Hoven|first=Jason|date=April 15, 2013|work=IBT Media, Inc.|access-date=April 15, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130415170706/http://www.idigitaltimes.com/articles/16700/20130415/new-kool-aid-man-oh-yeah-mio.htm |archive-date=2013-04-15}}</ref>

Starting in 2011, Kraft began allocating the majority of the Kool-Aid marketing budget towards Latinos. According to the brand, almost 20 percent of Kool-Aid drinkers are Hispanic, and slightly more than 20 percent are African-American.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2011/05/27/business/media/27adco.html|title=ADVERTISING; Kraft Aims Kool-Aid Ads at a Growing Hispanic Market|last=Newman|first=Andrew Adam|date=May 27, 2011|work=The New York Times|access-date=May 27, 2011}}</ref>

==Flavors==
{| class="wikitable"
|- style="vertical-align:top;"
|width="30%"|'''Original 6 flavors'''<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.kool-aiddays.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=90 |title=Kool-Aid Days |access-date=December 17, 2006 |archive-date=March 16, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120316142051/http://www.kool-aiddays.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=90 |url-status=dead }}</ref>
|width="70%"| Cherry, Grape, Lemon-Lime, Orange, Raspberry, Strawberry<ref name="Hastings">{{cite web|url=http://www.hastingsmuseum.org/koolaid/kahistory.htm |title=The History of Kool-Aid |year=2008 |publisher=[[Hastings Museum of Natural & Cultural History]] |access-date=April 3, 2009 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090205191059/http://hastingsmuseum.org/koolaid/kahistory.htm |archive-date=February 5, 2009 }}</ref>
|- style="vertical-align:top;"
| '''Singles flavors'''<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.kraftfoods.com/kf/Products/ProductInfoSearchResults.htm?CatalogType=1&BrandId=25&SearchText=Kool-Aid%20Powdered%20&PageNo=1|title=Kool-Aid Powdered}}</ref>
| Black Cherry, Tropical Punch, Lemonade, Pink Lemonade, Cherry, Watermelon, Orange, Summer Punch
|- style="vertical-align:top;"
| '''Sugar-free flavors'''{{Citation needed|date=April 2008}}
| Cherry, Grape, Lemonade, Soarin' Strawberry Lemonade, Tropical Punch, Raspberry, Watermelon, KiwiLime
|- style="vertical-align:top;"
| '''Water flavors'''<ref name="oddballcomics2006">{{cite web |last=Shaw |first=Scott |url=http://www.oddballcomics.com/article.php?story=2006-10-09 |title=Kool-Aid Komics |publisher=Oddball Comics |date=October 8, 2006 |access-date=November 17, 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090601175156/http://www.oddballcomics.com/article.php?story=2006-10-09 |archive-date=June 1, 2009 |url-status=dead }}</ref>
| Jamaica, Mandarina-Tangerine, Mango, Tamarindo, Piña-Pineapple
|- style="vertical-align:top;"
|'''Other flavors worldwide or previously available'''<ref name="oddballcomics2006"/>
| Apple, Arctic Green Apple, Berry Blue, Bunch Berry, Blastin' Berry Cherry, Blue Berry Blast, Blue Moon Berry, Candy Apple, Cherry, Cherry Cracker, Chocolate, Cola, Eerie Orange, Frutas, Vermelhas, Golden Nectar, Grape, Grape Blackberry, Grape Tang, Melon Mango, Strawberry Splash, Great Blueberry, Great Blue-dini, Groselha, Guaraná, Ice Blue Raspberry Lemonade, Incrediberry, Kickin-Kiwi-Lime, Kolita, Lemon, Lemon Ice, Lemonade, Lemonade Sparkle, Lemon-Lime, Lime, Man-o-Mangoberry, Mango, Mountainberry Punch, Oh-Yeah Orange-Pineapple, Orange, Orange Enerjooz, Peach, Pina-Pineapple, Pink Lemonade, Pink Swimmingo, Purplesaurus Rex, Rainbow Punch, Raspberry, Roarin' Raspberry Cranberry, Rock-a-Dile Red, Root Beer, Scary Black Cherry, Scary Blackberry, Shaking Starfruit, Sharkleberry Fin, Slammin' Strawberry-Kiwi, Soarin' Strawberry-Lemonade, Solar Strawberry-Starfruit, Strawberry, Strawberry Falls Punch, Strawberry Split, Strawberry-Raspberry, Sunshine Punch, Surfin' Berry Punch, Swirlin' Strawberry-Starfruit, Tangerine, Tropical Punch, Watermelon, Watermelon-Cherry
|}

=="Drinking the Kool-Aid"==
{{main|Drinking the Kool-Aid}}
"[[Drinking the Kool-Aid]]" is a phrase suggesting that one has mindlessly adopted a [[dogma]] of a group or a (cult) leader without fully understanding the ramifications or implications. The backdrop of this are events culminating in the 1978 [[Jonestown#Deaths in Jonestown|Jonestown Massacre]]. At Jonestown, Guyana, followers of [[Jim Jones]]' Temple drank from a metal vat containing a mixture of "Kool Aid", [[cyanide]], and prescription drugs [[Valium]], [[Phenergan]], and [[chloral hydrate]]. Present-day descriptions of the event sometimes claim the beverage was not Kool-Aid, but [[Flavor Aid]],<ref name="zorn">{{cite web|url=http://blogs.chicagotribune.com/news_columnists_ezorn/2008/11/have-you-drunk-the-kool-aid-kool-aid.html |title=''Change of Subject'', "Have you drunk the 'Kool Aid' Kool Aid |access-date=August 27, 2009 |author=Eric Zorn |date=November 18, 2008 |publisher=Chicago Tribune, www.chicagotribune.com}}</ref> a less-expensive product from [[Jel Sert]] reportedly found at the site.<ref>{{Cite news |first=Charles A. |last=Krause |title=Jonestown Is an Eerie Ghost Town Now |newspaper=Washington Post|date=December 17, 1978}}</ref> [[Kraft Foods]], the creator of Kool-Aid, has stated the same.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.fastcompany.com/magazine/92/debunk.html |title=Don't Drink the Grape-Flavored Sugar Water... |access-date=August 27, 2009 |author=Martin Khin |date=December 19, 2007 |publisher=Fast Company, www.fastcompany.com |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20050407051630/http://www.fastcompany.com/magazine/92/debunk.html |archive-date=April 7, 2005 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.poynter.org/column.asp?id=2&aid=54353 |title=''Al's Morning Meeting'', "Thursday Edition: Clearing Kool-Aid's Name" |access-date=August 27, 2009 |author=Al Thomkins |date=November 13, 2003 |publisher=The Poynter Institute, www.poynter.org |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20031204102604/http://www.poynter.org/column.asp?id=2&aid=54353 |archive-date=December 4, 2003 }}</ref> Implied by this accounting of events is that the reference to the Kool-Aid brand owes exclusively to its being better-known among Americans. Others are less categorical.<ref name="zorn"/> Both brands are known to have been among the commune's supplies: Film footage shot inside the compound prior to the events of November shows Jones opening a large chest in which boxes of both Flavor Aid and Kool-Aid are visible.<ref name="WGBH">[https://web.archive.org/web/20140225084734/http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hZjfWuTHe0M&feature=fvsr#t=9m51s Jonestown: The Life and Death of Peoples Temple] </ref>{{better citation|date=May 2024}} Criminal investigators testifying at the Jonestown inquest spoke of finding packets of  "cool aid" (''sic''), and eyewitnesses to the incident are also recorded as speaking of "cool aid" or "Cool Aid."<ref>{{cite web |url=http://jonestown.sdsu.edu/wp-content/uploads/2013/10/GuyanaInquest.pdf |title=Guyana inquest }}</ref> However, it is unclear whether they intended to refer to the actual Kool-Aid–brand drink or were [[Genericized trademark|using the name in a generic sense]] that might refer to any powdered flavored beverage.

==Relation to LSD==
{{see also|The Electric Kool-Aid Acid Test}}
There have been multiple documented instances of Kool-Aid being spiked with the psychedelic drug [[lysergic acid diethylamide]]. Most notable of these was during [[Project MKUltra]], in which subjects would be given Kool-Aid that was spiked with LSD, before being [[Brainwashing|brainwashed]] and [[Psychological torture|psychologically tortured]].<ref name="MKUltra"> {{ YouTube |title= MK-Ultra: The shocking Cold War experiments hidden by the CIA - BBC REEL |id=y_-ek5CsTGc|time=0m3s}}</ref>

[[Ken Kesey]] and the [[Merry Pranksters]] frequently held and advertised parties they called the [[Acid Tests]], during which they gave out Kool-Aid that was laced with LSD. [[Tom Wolfe]] later wrote about these parties in his book ''[[The Electric Kool-Aid Acid Test]]''.

==References==
{{reflist}}

==External links==
{{Portal|Drink}}
* {{Official website|https://www.koolaid.com/}}
* [http://www.adamshistory.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=32:kool-aid&catid=2&Itemid=42 The Kool-Aid Story], Adams County Nebraska Historical Society

{{Kraft Foods Group}}

[[Category:American soft drinks]]
[[Category:Kraft Foods brands]]
[[Category:Powdered drink mixes]]
[[Category:Products introduced in 1927]]
[[Category:Soul food]]
[[Category:Jonestown]]