Popular Kool-Aid Flavors, Ranked Worst To Best
Kool-Aid/Facebook By Sophia Hart/Updated: Feb. 3, 2023 7:33 pm EST
We may receive a commission on purchases made from links. We’ve all seen him in the juice aisle of the grocery store or heard him shouting, “Oh, yeah!” in commercials. The giant, smiling red pitcher that is the Kool-Aid man is an iconic mascot for an even better known beverage, which has been around for many decades now. Bright and colorful Kool-Aid was invented by a Nebraskan named Edwin Perkins in the early 1900s, according to History Nebraska. Initially, Perkins had created six flavors of a liquid soft drink concentrate called Fruit Smack, a popular venture that ultimately fell through due to difficulties with shipping the glass bottles. So, the entrepreneur found a way to manufacture Fruit Smack as a powder instead, selling the new product as Kool-Ade (which eventually became the Kool-Aid brand we drink today).
As Kool-Aid grew in popularity, the number of drink mixes offered by the brand has only grown: While Nebraska’s official soft drink started out with just half a dozen flavors, it now comes in more than three times that many varieties. Here are 21 of the most popular Kool-Aid flavors ranked from worst to best, so you can figure out which to stock up on for your next cookout.
- Mixed Berry
Kool-Aid
Mixed berries are always a welcome flavor in everything from fruit smoothies and oatmeal to indulgent pies and cobblers. Plus, blue-hued beverages often sit high on our rankings of sugary drinks, such as the most popular Gatorade flavors. That’s why we wanted to love this mixed berry Kool-Aid — but were disappointed when we didn’t.
While some products can get away with a vague “mixed berry” title, this Kool-Aid flavor depicts strawberries and blueberries on its packaging. For that reason, it’s much more noticeable that the beverage lacks the flavor of these specific fruits. It’s hard to pinpoint what exactly this drink tastes like, but it certainly has more of an artificial blue raspberry vibe than a genuine berry flavor. However, this drink has a mostly so-so to positive reception from many reviewers on Walmart. One review reads, “I bought this because they were out of Tropical Punch Kool-Aid. Not as good, but not bad.” This sums up our view: Even though this isn’t the worst Kool-Aid drink we tried, it also isn’t the best, and we’d recommend other flavors first.
- Strawberry Kiwi
Walmart
When you think about the combination of strawberry and kiwi, the first thing that comes to mind may be strawberry-kiwi Capri Sun, which is a fan favorite among juice lovers. You may not have known that Kool-Aid has its own rendition of this popular combo in the form of its strawberry kiwi drink mix. While similar in name, does this dark pink Kool-Aid really compare to its Capri Sun counterpart?
While we prefer the Capri Sun contender, this Kool-Aid flavor was still pretty satisfying. As one user on Influenster puts it, “For me, it’s the perfect combination of strawberry and kiwi and it’s not too sweet. It’s super refreshing and perfect for summer.” Most customers say that what you see is what you get with this flavor: It’s cheap, sweet, and very appealing for kids, but it’s obviously an artificially flavored treat rather than a wholesome staple. When you’re craving something sugary and nostalgic, this is the Kool-Aid to reach for.
- Lemonade
Walmart
It’s a challenge to find anyone who doesn’t appreciate a cooling glass of lemonade on a hot day. This beverage takes many of us back to summertime celebrations — like the Fourth of July — and is a staple at both restaurants and in grocery stores. It only makes sense, then, that there’s a Kool-Aid lemonade drink mix, and we’re happy to report that it’s a good one.
Lemonade seems like a pretty easy drink to get right, but we all know the frustration of buying it at the store and then finding it to be way too sweet, absurdly sour, or just plain wrong. That’s evidently why many customers appreciate that unsweetened lemonade Kool-Aid lets you control the amount of added sugar or sweetener. One Walmart reviewer stated, “My family and I love this flavor. It is super light and amazing and being able to add your sugar preference is amazing.” We concur: This not-too-tart Kool-Aid delivers on citrusy flavor, and the fact that you don’t have to squeeze your own lemons to enjoy it makes it all the sweeter.
- Pink Lemonade
Walmart
And now for one of our favorites of Kool-Aid’s many lemonade-flavored options: the pink lemonade drink mix. Pink lemonade can sometimes just be regular lemonade with added pink colorings, per Smithsonian Magazine. Other times, it is actually flavored with real red fruits, like strawberries or raspberries. We’re not sure if the “natural flavors” or “artificial colorings” listed in this Kool-Aid flavor’s ingredients come from any fruit besides lemons; nevertheless, this delicious pink-hued libation brings us back to easy summer days.
Kool-Aid’s pink lemonade drink is, of course, a perfectly bright pink color when mixed. It also tastes fruity and sweet with that tart, lip-puckering flavor that we love in any lemonade drink. With 4.8 out of 5 stars on the Walmart website, it’s hard to deny that this product has quite the following. One consumer on Influenster wrote, “I have to say if I drink a powdered drink. This is it ! Takes me back to those hot summer days and my mom would fix a glass of Koolaid! … I have gotten this item several times and never disappointed with the flavor!”
- Grape
Birgit Reitz-Hofmann/Shutterstock
There may not be a more nostalgic (or more controversial) drink flavor than grape. Though grape-flavored candy or jelly might not be everyone’s cup of tea, it’s perfect in drink form for anyone who enjoys the bold taste of artificial grape flavor. Trust us, you need only to get past your reservations about grape-flavored products to enjoy Kool-Aid’s truly wonderful grape drink mix, which is delightfully kid-friendly in taste.
In fact, we prefer grape Kool-Aid over other grape beverages because it allows you to adjust the flavor with more or less water or more or less sugar. We add more liquid when we’re in the mood for a lighter taste, while we whip up a more potent concoction when we’re craving that signature fake grape flavor. This drink is especially popular with Walmart shoppers, with one online review saying, “This is my favorite flavor of Kool-Aid. It’s so flavorful without being overpowering. It’s cheap and makes a huge batch.” Even if you’re wary of grape juice, we suggest that you try this drink out — you won’t regret it!
- Tropical Punch
Walmart
How could we not put one of the best known Kool-Aid flavors at the top of this list? Holding the number-one spot is, of course, none other than the brand’s famous tropical punch drink mix. No matter how you go about mixing and drinking this Kool-Aid, there’s no denying the incredible taste of this scarlet red treat. It seems that no matter who you talk to about their favorite Kool-Aid flavors, tropical punch always comes up in the conversation.
As shown on the blue box, this Kool-Aid evokes notes of cherries, oranges, and several other types of produce you might find in a colorful fruit punch. We find that it’s hard to get tired of this flavor, as it has so many different tastes packed into each sip. If you go to the Walmart website, you’ll see that this flavor sells especially well as Kool-Aid Jammers, the brand’s pouched beverage line. One reviewer wrote, “I really don’t drink Kool-Aid very often but when I do this is the Kool-Aid that I drink.” When you’re looking for a sweet and sippable pick-me-up, you can’t steer wrong with tropical punch — whether you’re in the mood for a Jammer or a classic, semi-homemade cup of Kool-Aid.
Popular Kool-Aid Flavors, Ranked Worst To Best
Kool-Aid/Facebook
By Sophia Hart/Updated: Feb. 3, 2023 7:33 pm EST
We may receive a commission on purchases made from links. We’ve all seen him in the juice aisle of the grocery store or heard him shouting, “Oh, yeah!” in commercials. The giant, smiling red pitcher that is the Kool-Aid man is an iconic mascot for an even better known beverage, which has been around for many decades now. Bright and colorful Kool-Aid was invented by a Nebraskan named Edwin Perkins in the early 1900s, according to History Nebraska. Initially, Perkins had created six flavors of a liquid soft drink concentrate called Fruit Smack, a popular venture that ultimately fell through due to difficulties with shipping the glass bottles. So, the entrepreneur found a way to manufacture Fruit Smack as a powder instead, selling the new product as Kool-Ade (which eventually became the Kool-Aid brand we drink today).
As Kool-Aid grew in popularity, the number of drink mixes offered by the brand has only grown: While Nebraska’s official soft drink started out with just half a dozen flavors, it now comes in more than three times that many varieties. Here are 21 of the most popular Kool-Aid flavors ranked from worst to best, so you can figure out which to stock up on for your next cookout.
We may receive a commission on purchases made from links.
As Kool-Aid grew in popularity, the number of drink mixes offered by the brand has only grown: While Nebraska’s official soft drink started out with just half a dozen flavors, it now comes in more than three times that many varieties. Here are 21 of the most popular Kool-Aid flavors ranked from worst to best, so you can figure out which to stock up on for your next cookout.
21. Aguas Frescas Jamaica
20. Berry Cherry
19. Aguas Frescas Mandarina-Tangerine
18. Strawberry Lemonade
17. Mixed Berry
Kool-Aid
Mixed berries are always a welcome flavor in everything from fruit smoothies and oatmeal to indulgent pies and cobblers. Plus, blue-hued beverages often sit high on our rankings of sugary drinks, such as the most popular Gatorade flavors. That’s why we wanted to love this mixed berry Kool-Aid — but were disappointed when we didn’t.
While some products can get away with a vague “mixed berry” title, this Kool-Aid flavor depicts strawberries and blueberries on its packaging. For that reason, it’s much more noticeable that the beverage lacks the flavor of these specific fruits. It’s hard to pinpoint what exactly this drink tastes like, but it certainly has more of an artificial blue raspberry vibe than a genuine berry flavor. However, this drink has a mostly so-so to positive reception from many reviewers on Walmart. One review reads, “I bought this because they were out of Tropical Punch Kool-Aid. Not as good, but not bad.” This sums up our view: Even though this isn’t the worst Kool-Aid drink we tried, it also isn’t the best, and we’d recommend other flavors first.
While some products can get away with a vague “mixed berry” title, this Kool-Aid flavor depicts strawberries and blueberries on its packaging. For that reason, it’s much more noticeable that the beverage lacks the flavor of these specific fruits. It’s hard to pinpoint what exactly this drink tastes like, but it certainly has more of an artificial blue raspberry vibe than a genuine berry flavor. However, this drink has a mostly so-so to positive reception from many reviewers on Walmart. One review reads, “I bought this because they were out of Tropical Punch Kool-Aid. Not as good, but not bad.” This sums up our view: Even though this isn’t the worst Kool-Aid drink we tried, it also isn’t the best, and we’d recommend other flavors first.
16. Aguas Frescas Piña-Pineapple
15. Peach Mango
14. Strawberry Kiwi
Walmart
When you think about the combination of strawberry and kiwi, the first thing that comes to mind may be strawberry-kiwi Capri Sun, which is a fan favorite among juice lovers. You may not have known that Kool-Aid has its own rendition of this popular combo in the form of its strawberry kiwi drink mix. While similar in name, does this dark pink Kool-Aid really compare to its Capri Sun counterpart?
While we prefer the Capri Sun contender, this Kool-Aid flavor was still pretty satisfying. As one user on Influenster puts it, “For me, it’s the perfect combination of strawberry and kiwi and it’s not too sweet. It’s super refreshing and perfect for summer.” Most customers say that what you see is what you get with this flavor: It’s cheap, sweet, and very appealing for kids, but it’s obviously an artificially flavored treat rather than a wholesome staple. When you’re craving something sugary and nostalgic, this is the Kool-Aid to reach for.
While we prefer the Capri Sun contender, this Kool-Aid flavor was still pretty satisfying. As one user on Influenster puts it, “For me, it’s the perfect combination of strawberry and kiwi and it’s not too sweet. It’s super refreshing and perfect for summer.” Most customers say that what you see is what you get with this flavor: It’s cheap, sweet, and very appealing for kids, but it’s obviously an artificially flavored treat rather than a wholesome staple. When you’re craving something sugary and nostalgic, this is the Kool-Aid to reach for.
13. Lemon-Lime
12. Green Apple
11. Sharkleberry Fin
digitalreflections/Shutterstock
10. Orange
9. Strawberry
dcwcreations/Shutterstock
8. Black Cherry
7. Lemonade
It’s a challenge to find anyone who doesn’t appreciate a cooling glass of lemonade on a hot day. This beverage takes many of us back to summertime celebrations — like the Fourth of July — and is a staple at both restaurants and in grocery stores. It only makes sense, then, that there’s a Kool-Aid lemonade drink mix, and we’re happy to report that it’s a good one.
Lemonade seems like a pretty easy drink to get right, but we all know the frustration of buying it at the store and then finding it to be way too sweet, absurdly sour, or just plain wrong. That’s evidently why many customers appreciate that unsweetened lemonade Kool-Aid lets you control the amount of added sugar or sweetener. One Walmart reviewer stated, “My family and I love this flavor. It is super light and amazing and being able to add your sugar preference is amazing.” We concur: This not-too-tart Kool-Aid delivers on citrusy flavor, and the fact that you don’t have to squeeze your own lemons to enjoy it makes it all the sweeter.
Lemonade seems like a pretty easy drink to get right, but we all know the frustration of buying it at the store and then finding it to be way too sweet, absurdly sour, or just plain wrong. That’s evidently why many customers appreciate that unsweetened lemonade Kool-Aid lets you control the amount of added sugar or sweetener. One Walmart reviewer stated, “My family and I love this flavor. It is super light and amazing and being able to add your sugar preference is amazing.” We concur: This not-too-tart Kool-Aid delivers on citrusy flavor, and the fact that you don’t have to squeeze your own lemons to enjoy it makes it all the sweeter.
6. Pink Lemonade
And now for one of our favorites of Kool-Aid’s many lemonade-flavored options: the pink lemonade drink mix. Pink lemonade can sometimes just be regular lemonade with added pink colorings, per Smithsonian Magazine. Other times, it is actually flavored with real red fruits, like strawberries or raspberries. We’re not sure if the “natural flavors” or “artificial colorings” listed in this Kool-Aid flavor’s ingredients come from any fruit besides lemons; nevertheless, this delicious pink-hued libation brings us back to easy summer days.
Kool-Aid’s pink lemonade drink is, of course, a perfectly bright pink color when mixed. It also tastes fruity and sweet with that tart, lip-puckering flavor that we love in any lemonade drink. With 4.8 out of 5 stars on the Walmart website, it’s hard to deny that this product has quite the following. One consumer on Influenster wrote, “I have to say if I drink a powdered drink. This is it ! Takes me back to those hot summer days and my mom would fix a glass of Koolaid! … I have gotten this item several times and never disappointed with the flavor!”
Kool-Aid’s pink lemonade drink is, of course, a perfectly bright pink color when mixed. It also tastes fruity and sweet with that tart, lip-puckering flavor that we love in any lemonade drink. With 4.8 out of 5 stars on the Walmart website, it’s hard to deny that this product has quite the following. One consumer on Influenster wrote, “I have to say if I drink a powdered drink. This is it ! Takes me back to those hot summer days and my mom would fix a glass of Koolaid! … I have gotten this item several times and never disappointed with the flavor!”
5. Grape
Birgit Reitz-Hofmann/Shutterstock
There may not be a more nostalgic (or more controversial) drink flavor than grape. Though grape-flavored candy or jelly might not be everyone’s cup of tea, it’s perfect in drink form for anyone who enjoys the bold taste of artificial grape flavor. Trust us, you need only to get past your reservations about grape-flavored products to enjoy Kool-Aid’s truly wonderful grape drink mix, which is delightfully kid-friendly in taste.
In fact, we prefer grape Kool-Aid over other grape beverages because it allows you to adjust the flavor with more or less water or more or less sugar. We add more liquid when we’re in the mood for a lighter taste, while we whip up a more potent concoction when we’re craving that signature fake grape flavor. This drink is especially popular with Walmart shoppers, with one online review saying, “This is my favorite flavor of Kool-Aid. It’s so flavorful without being overpowering. It’s cheap and makes a huge batch.” Even if you’re wary of grape juice, we suggest that you try this drink out — you won’t regret it!
In fact, we prefer grape Kool-Aid over other grape beverages because it allows you to adjust the flavor with more or less water or more or less sugar. We add more liquid when we’re in the mood for a lighter taste, while we whip up a more potent concoction when we’re craving that signature fake grape flavor. This drink is especially popular with Walmart shoppers, with one online review saying, “This is my favorite flavor of Kool-Aid. It’s so flavorful without being overpowering. It’s cheap and makes a huge batch.” Even if you’re wary of grape juice, we suggest that you try this drink out — you won’t regret it!
4. Aguas Frescas Mango
3. Blue Raspberry Lemonade
Jennifer Wallace/Shutterstock
2. Cherry
1. Tropical Punch
How could we not put one of the best known Kool-Aid flavors at the top of this list? Holding the number-one spot is, of course, none other than the brand’s famous tropical punch drink mix. No matter how you go about mixing and drinking this Kool-Aid, there’s no denying the incredible taste of this scarlet red treat. It seems that no matter who you talk to about their favorite Kool-Aid flavors, tropical punch always comes up in the conversation.
As shown on the blue box, this Kool-Aid evokes notes of cherries, oranges, and several other types of produce you might find in a colorful fruit punch. We find that it’s hard to get tired of this flavor, as it has so many different tastes packed into each sip. If you go to the Walmart website, you’ll see that this flavor sells especially well as Kool-Aid Jammers, the brand’s pouched beverage line. One reviewer wrote, “I really don’t drink Kool-Aid very often but when I do this is the Kool-Aid that I drink.” When you’re looking for a sweet and sippable pick-me-up, you can’t steer wrong with tropical punch — whether you’re in the mood for a Jammer or a classic, semi-homemade cup of Kool-Aid.
As shown on the blue box, this Kool-Aid evokes notes of cherries, oranges, and several other types of produce you might find in a colorful fruit punch. We find that it’s hard to get tired of this flavor, as it has so many different tastes packed into each sip. If you go to the Walmart website, you’ll see that this flavor sells especially well as Kool-Aid Jammers, the brand’s pouched beverage line. One reviewer wrote, “I really don’t drink Kool-Aid very often but when I do this is the Kool-Aid that I drink.” When you’re looking for a sweet and sippable pick-me-up, you can’t steer wrong with tropical punch — whether you’re in the mood for a Jammer or a classic, semi-homemade cup of Kool-Aid.
