National Kool-Aid Day
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Overview
National Kool-Aid Day, celebrated annually on August 14th, honors the beloved powdered drink mix that has been a staple in American households for generations. It's a day to remember the joy and refreshment Kool-Aid brings, often associated with childhood memories, summer days, and vibrant, fruity flavors. People celebrate by mixing up a pitcher of their favorite flavor, sharing stories, and sometimes even experimenting with recipes that incorporate the iconic drink.
Origin and story
Kool-Aid was invented in 1927 by Edwin Perkins in Hastings, Nebraska.
Before becoming a powdered mix, it was first sold as a liquid concentrate called "Fruit Smack."
Quick facts
- DateAugust 14
- TypeCultural / community observance
- Great forFriends, Families, Classrooms, Teams
Also on this date
Ways to celebrate
Kool-Aid exists because shipping liquid was too expensive — the powder was a cost-cutting workaround that became the whole product.
Meet the inventor and his shipping problem
Edwin Perkins had been selling a liquid concentrate called Fruit Smack through his Hastings, Nebraska mail-order business, but the glass bottles were heavy, broke easily, and leaked in transit — so in 1927 he found a way to strip out the liquid and package just the flavored powder in envelopes he designed himself.
Know the original lineup and price
The renamed "Kool-Ade" launched in six flavors — grape, lemon-lime, cherry, orange, raspberry, and strawberry — and sold for ten cents a packet, a price point that made it an instant hit during the Great Depression.
Read the fuller history
Helpful resources:
Did you know?
Perkins moved his company to Chicago in 1931 to focus entirely on Kool-Aid production, and General Foods eventually bought the brand outright in 1953.
Fun facts
- Kool-Aid was invented in 1927 by Edwin Perkins in Hastings, Nebraska.
- Before becoming a powdered mix, it was first sold as a liquid concentrate called "Fruit Smack."
- The iconic Kool-Aid Man character, known for his "Oh Yeah!" catchphrase, first appeared in advertising in 1975.
Sources and attribution
Kool-Aid Exhibit (Hastings Museum)
External links may lead to third-party websites.
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FAQ
- When is National Kool-Aid Day?
- It is observed on August 14 each year.
- What is National Kool-Aid Day?
- National Kool-Aid Day, celebrated annually on August 14th, honors the beloved powdered drink mix that has been a staple in American households for generations. It's a day to remember the joy and refreshment Kool-Aid brings, often associated with childhood memories, summer days, and vibrant, fruity flavors. People celebrate by mixing up a pitcher of their favorite flavor, sharing stories, and sometimes even experimenting with recipes that incorporate the iconic drink.
- How do people celebrate National Kool-Aid Day?
- Mix up a pitcher and consider why it exists as a powder: Edwin Perkins stripped the liquid out of his leak-prone Fruit Smack concentrate in 1927 to solve a shipping problem, creating Kool-Aid by accident.
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