The Green Light Is On Kool-Aid

The popular drink known as Kool-Aid was invented by Edwin Perkins and his wife Kitty in Hastings, Nebraska, in the United States of America.

Its predecessor was a liquid concentrate which was called Fruit Smack. In an attempt to reduce shipping costs, in 1927, Perkins discovered a way to remove the liquid from Fruit Smack, leaving only a powder. This powder, he called Kool-Aid. The production was moved to Chicago in 1931 and Kool-Aid was sold to General Foods in 1953.

Hi-C is a similar product. A juice drink made by the Minute Maid division of The Coca-Cola Company. Niles Foster created Hi-C in 1946. Ecto-Cooler was a Hi-C product tie-in with the cartoon series The Real Ghostbusters, based on the 1984 live-action film, Ghostbusters. It is green. The company struck a deal in 1987 to promote the series by developing a special green fruit drink. Well, the drink was successful beyond all reckoning and continued after the series’ 1991 cancellation to be produced for more than a decade.

While traditionally an apple red color, old-fashioned Kool-Aid may come in other colors as well. Green is a personal favorite. Here is a recipe for a Green Kool-Aid Cocktail:

2.0 oz – Mandarine Napoleon Orange Liqueur

2.0 oz – Vodka

2.0 oz – Blue Maui Maui Blue Hawaiian schnapps

Use Blue Maui Schnapps. Mix together and stir.