Copycat Natural Kool-Aid

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It’s easy to make your own copycat natural Kool-Aid, in nearly any flavor you can imagine. Lightly sweetened with honey, your kids will love it with lunch or an afternoon snack.

glass of red homemade kool aid

Does this sound familiar? It’s 1970-something. You’re outside, riding your awesome new bike with the banana seat. No helmet, no nothin’…just you and the open road. 😉

yellow bike with banana seat

Your mom calls you in for an afternoon snack, and you have a big glass of neon-colored Kool Aid and a frozen Twinkie. Right? That was the snack combo of choice back in the day. What a sugar overload, though! My teeth hurt just thinking about it.

glasses of red juice with mint and lemon

I love the idea of Kool-Aid (fruity flavors! Fun to drink! Alternative to soda!) but I don’t like filling up my kids with sugar, chemicals, and artificial colors. Especially because according to the American Academy of Pediatrics, artificial colors have been linked to ADD and hyperactivity in kids. (source)

It’s easy to make your own copycat natural Kool-Aid, in nearly any flavor you can imagine. Lightly sweetened with honey, it’s refreshing to drink with lunch or your afternoon snack (I recommend homemade granola bars instead of a frozen Twinkie).

The Secret to Homemade Kool-Aid

How is this natural, refreshing drink made? With herbal tea!

I like to get the Celestial Seasonings fruit tea sampler and mix and match to make my own copycat Kool-Aid flavors.

fruit tea sampler box

Wild Berry Zinger is our favorite, followed by Black Cherry Berry mixed with True Blueberry. Watermelon Lime Zinger is yummy too.

The best part? Copycat natural Kool-Aid has no caffeine or artificial colors, and is easy to make. It’s a great way to get your kids to help in the kitchen!

glasses of red juice with mint and lemon

Copycat Natural Kool-Aid

Ingredients:

4 teabags of herbal tea (buy on Amazon)

1 teaspoon lemon juice

3 Tablespoons raw honey, or more to taste

4 cups hot water

Ice

Gallon pitcher

Instructions:

In a large pitcher or measuring cup, steep the teabags in hot water for 5-10 minutes.

Add the honey and stir until dissolved, then add the lemon juice.

Put the ice in the pitcher and pour the warm tea concentrate over the top. Taste and add more water if desired.

Add fresh fruit for extra flavor and zing. Enjoy!

glasses of red homemade kool aid

Copycat Natural Kool-Aid

Yield: 1 gallon
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Total Time: 10 minutes

It’s easy to make your own copycat natural Kool-Aid, in nearly any flavor you can imagine. Lightly sweetened with honey, it’s refreshing to drink with lunch or your afternoon snack.

Ingredients

  • 4 teabags of herbal tea
  • 1 teaspoon lemon juice
  • 3 Tablespoons raw honey, or more to taste
  • 4 cups hot water
  • Ice

Instructions

  1. In a large pitcher or measuring cup, steep the teabags in hot water for 5-10 minutes.
  2. Add the honey and stir until dissolved, then add the lemon juice.
  3. Put the ice in the pitcher and pour the warm tea concentrate over the top. Taste and add more water if desired.
  4. Add fresh fruit for extra flavor and zing. Enjoy!

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Hi, Im Pam!

I created Brown Thumb Mama to share my natural living journey, and help you live a greener life. Thanks for being here!

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8 thoughts on -Copycat Natural Kool-Aid-

    1. lol YESSSS. I’ve been looking for a copycat Kool Aid recipe that uses the same kinds of juices that the flavor profile of Kool Aid and Hawaiian Punch are based on, but this is absolutely not it. I make sweet iced tea all the time with herbal teas and they’re delicious, but they’re not Kool Aid.

  1. Thank you so much for this good tasting and refreshing drink.I made it this afternoon. I had all the ingredients
    for a change. I think though I will make it with Splenda next time. I worked in the yard most of the day and the temps were in the middle 90’s so I drank a bunch. Too much honey for one day for me. But it was so yummy!!

  2. I made your recipe for Copycat Natural Kool-Aid today. Only change is that being a diabetic honey is not my friend. Instead I used 1/4 cup of Whey Low-D a sugar formulated for diabetics. I has only 1/4 the calories of regular sugar and won’t raise your blood sugar. This recipe is a keeper for sure. I made the mixed berry flavor. Delicious, not to sweet and very flavorful!

    1. Wonderful! Glad you liked it. I’m working on a recipe for Spaghetti Sauce without added sugar that you will love…stay tuned! :o)

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