If you’re trying to kick sugary juices and drinks to the curb, give this Cool Aid (not Kool-Aid) a go and let me know what you think.
This article first published August 9, 2012.
Summer is in full swing. So why don’t you come on over and let me pour you a glass of this thirst quenching Cool Aid. We’ll sit in the backyard and talk about how it’s all-natural, free of artificial colors and easily zero-calorie.
This refresher may look like Kool-Aid but is far from it. The base is herbal tea. Raw apple cider vinegar is added for tang and it’s health-promoting properties and a little stevia (or natural sweetener of your choice) balances it all out. The only things missing are the artificial flavors and a good dose of red #40.
If you’re trying to give up sugary juices and drinks, give this one a go and let me know what you think.
Ingredients
4-6 HERBAL TEA BAGS (pick a robustly flavored fruit variety)
About 4 cups boiling WATER, plus more cold water
2 tablespoons raw APPLE CIDER VINEGAR
NuNaturals LIQUID STEVIA CONCENTRATE or other sweetener to taste
Instructions
Add tea bags to tempered one gallon jar.
Pour boiling water over tea bags and let steep 4-6 minutes
Fill jar the rest of the way with cold water.
Mix in vinegar and stevia (or sweetener of choice).
Serve chilled over ice.
Notes
Tea blends that include hibiscus will produce a very vivid reddish/pink colored tea.
98 comments
Does Celestial Seasonings have any "natural flavoring" on their ingredient lists? I'm not just GF but SCD and watch ingredients closely.
I did the same thing —Almost . This is an alternative to soda and is really -really- delicious .
Ingredients –
2 liter’s of CARBONATED WATER
1/2 cup blueberry juice ( I use organic frozen -wait for them to thaw and use the juice )
1/2 cup organic lemon juice
12 bags of GREEN TEA
Stevia to taste –I use about half a teaspoon of concentrated stevia extract
Anyhow try it out ! This HAS A POWERFUL ANTIOXIDENT punch BUT HERE’S THE THING —IT TASTE SOOOOO GOOD YOU WILL FORGET ITS HEALTHY ! —–TASTE LIKE CARBONATED BLUEBERRY LEMONADE !
Dawn, this sounds soooo good! On it! 🙂
These sound (and look) wonderfully refreshing, Lexie!
🙂 Megan
Oh my gosh – those celestial teas are always too berry for me, but I never thought to make cool-aid with them! Brilliant lady.
This is *the best* idea, Lexie! Great alternative to regular Kool-Aid but also just a neat beverage to serve any old time. Love it! 🙂
Gorgeous and no doubt absolutely fabulous in taste and cooling properties! I must try them this week for sure. But now here's the $64 million dollar question … can you dye clothes with them? That was without a doubt the best use for packets of Kool-Aid. You could dye sweaters the coolest shades with them. Well, back before sweaters came in really neat colors anyway. 😉
Thanks, Lexie!
Shirley
I started making GF herbal iced teas for my daughter and myself this summer too! I hadn't thought to add the tang of the vinegar, that sounds fun. I have a pitcher of Red Zinger and Raspberry tea in my fridge right now I might go try it out. The other thing we do is add half tea (brewed strong) and half mineral water for a fun bubbly treat. Thanks Lexie!
Another fab idea out of Lexie's Kitchen! Pinning this so the kids and I can try it. I've had a hard time finding celestial teas without soy. Have you found the same thing, maybe it's just in Canada? Thanks Lex!
Shirley, brilliant. I never knew that about kook-aid. Dyeing sweaters. Who'd a thunk. Wonder if it dyes our insides? Ha! xoLexie
Ooooo Dionne, I like the bubbly idea : ) Thanks for sharing. xoLexie
Hallie, Megan and Alisa, Thanks for stopping by. Hallie, we have a gallon in the fridge all the time. It's been our go to drink. When my husband has a canker sore breakout he amps up on the tea (because to the apple cider vinegar) and it helps restore balance and clear up the sores. ACV is great stuff. xoLexie
Maggie, I think a lot or all of them do have soy lecithin. Because I needed a refresher on allergenicity (not that's a big word!) of soy lecithin I found this. Interesting:
Soy Lecithin
FALCPA also requires the labeling of soy lecithin because it is derived from soybeans and contains residual protein. The Grocery Manufacturers of America and other trade associations are working with the Food & Drug Administration to try to exempt soy lecithin from the source labeling requirement of FALCPA. Soy lecithin is acknowledged to contain residual levels of protein, although the amount of residual protein is uncertain. The Food Chemicals Codex specification for lecithin allows a maximum of 0.3 percent hexane insoluble matter in food-grade lecithin. If all protein, then the upper limit for protein should be 3,000 ppm. No validated method is available for the precise measurement of protein levels in lecithin. Soy allergens have been identified within the residual protein in soy lecithin by various investigators. However, the presence of residual levels of soy protein and soy allergens in soy lecithin is insufficient to document the allergenicity of soy lecithin. Only two reports exist of allergic reactions to soy lecithin among soy-allergic consumers, despite its widespread use.7, 8 The allergenicity of soy lecithin remains unknown, although the very small number of documented episodes.
SOURCE:
http://www.soyconnection.com/newsletters/soy-connection/health-nutrition/article.php/Soybean+Oil+%26amp%3B+Lecithin%3A+Are+They+Allergenic%3F?id=40
Are those cups or jars with stars? Love them! Thanks for the great idea with the tea too!
Jessica, don't you love those stars? Picked up these glasses at Goodwill (love me a good Goodwill!). I think some kind of food comes/came in these (like cheese spread or something). Maybe someone can help us out. There's a brand of mole sauce that comes in pretty cool glass containers, too. Eat enough mole and you have a full set! xoLexie
How much stevia should you add? Could you use honey or agave instead?
Katie, I add a dropper and a half of NuNaturals … I only use the liquid stevia concentrates. Most brands are the same concentration. So a dropper and a half. And yes, for those who prefer not using stevia, agave or honey is fine. Maybe add the honey when the water is still hot/warm so that it liquifies. xoLexie
Wow! You are so creative, what a great idea for Cool-Aid!!!
Wow! You are so creative, what a great idea for Cool-Aid!!!
Wow! You are so creative, what a great idea for Cool-Aid!!!
Wow! You are so creative, what a great idea for Cool-Aid!!!
Wow! You are so creative, what a great idea for Cool-Aid!!!
Wow! You are so creative, what a great idea for Cool-Aid!!!
Wow! You are so creative, what a great idea for Cool-Aid!!!
Wow! You are so creative, what a great idea for Cool-Aid!!!
Wow! You are so creative, what a great idea for Cool-Aid!!!
Wow! You are so creative, what a great idea for Cool-Aid!!!
Wow! You are so creative, what a great idea for Cool-Aid!!!
Thank you!!
Which Stevia product do you use? It wasn't clear from the link.
Oh sorry Vanessa, I use the the clear or vanilla liquid stevia … like this one: https://nunaturals.com/product/103
xoLexie
Which flavors did you make? the orange one?
Amanda, those were Cranberry Apple and Peach Passion (in the photo)
🙂 xoLexie
I'm pretty sure the jars once contained Armour Sliced Dried Beef. Never thought to keep them for small drinking glasses after I made cheese balls.
Ding ding ding!!! Valerie, you are so right! That's what those are from. Thanks for solving the mystery. xoLexie
would this work with NOT raw apple cider vinegar? Or would it be better to just omit it till I can get to the store?
Melanie, sure you could omit it until you get to the store … but it will just kinda-sorta be sweetened tea : ) Go for the raw apple cider vinegar like Braggs. You want to see a little stuff floating in it. That's the "mother". It will look gross but that is what's alive and contributes to the healing properties of raw apple cider vinegar. xoLexie
the raspberry zinger makes an awesome drink also- i add fresh lemon juice to mine.
I was addicted to Diet Coke for quite a few years, my hubby saying something about it every so often as he saw me drinking more and more. Cutting back didn't work, so I went cold turkey. I drank some sugared soft drinks, and made more tea, but tea just wasn't satisfying me. So I experimented with the new tea flavors I found at the grocery stores (this was maybe 6-8 years ago?)
I found the fruit-flavored teas too strongly flavored as written on the boxes, so I ended up using one family sized tea bag with one fruit-tea bag, then a few green tea bags thrown in for health purposes.
As stevia became available, I tried it in my fruity tea, but it had the aftertaste I'd read about. So I did conversion math for that brand of stevia, and used sugar+stevia, gradually decreasing the sugar until I was using only stevia, but without the aftertaste – I guess my tastebuds became accustomed over time.
I've read about shrubs and have been planning on ACV with smoothies (I won't drink "juice" without the fiber, since I was recently diagnosed as insulin resistant/pre-diabetes). But the fruit teas with stevia won't spike my blood sugar, and don't come with the hassle and cleanup of smoothies. Thanks!
For those of you with soy allergies, you might try Tazo Teas. Lots of yummy flavors & no 'extra' ingredients in these!! I get mine at Super Supplements
They have the best variety & prices.
Oh my!! I made this and it turned out great. It really does taste so similar to kool-aid! Only soooooo much better. I love that my kiddoes are getting some ACV at the same time. GREAT job!!! Keep the great recipes coming!!
Danielle … thank you for your kind words. So glad your kids are enjoying some KOOL-AID 🙂 xoLexie
This was so good and so easy! Finally something like vitamin water that I can feel better about drinking. Now this is horrible, but I think it would be yummy as a base for a Vodka martini for a girls night! Detoxify and toxify at the same time!
I look forward to giving this a try. While the snow is swirling outside, my thoughts are of warmer days with this recipe. I wonder if it would make a good popsicle, or if frozen as ice cubes and crushed in a high power blender (still dreaming of owning one myself…) it could be a flavored "slushy" or shave-ice type treat.
Holy Cow!!! We just made this. YUMMY!!! My entire family is VERY grateful!!! Just in time for a birthday party! Thank you, thank you, thank you!!!
Lori, I have a big old fat smile across my face. I am so happy I could bring a beverage to the birthday party!! xoxoLexie
I just featured this recipe over at All Gluten-Free Desserts … All the Time, Lexie. It's perfect in the Specialty Drinks category. 🙂 I'm hoping that some parents will choose to make this and take it to the classroom Valentine's Day party vs "the other stuff." 😉
xo,
Shirley
This was so delicious!!! I was saying just yesterday to my husband I needed something else to drink besides water on my hcg diet. Then hours later I see this post. I was skeptical about the apple cider vinegar but so glad I tried it. It gave it a zing which we all liked! I made the peach passion. ALL of my kids loved it! This is going to be a staple in our house now! I can send it to school with my kids instead of juice boxes. They will be thrilled. My heart felt thanks for sharing this!!
Hi!
I own a tea company Tupelo Honey Teas and I came by this posting. I NEVER thought to add some ACV to my teas for the zing. Where did you ever come up with that idea? LOVE IT!
I always make my tea without the sugar and I prefer it that way. Have you ever tried this recipe without sweetener? My kids will definitely want it the way posted above, but just wondering for myself.
Thanks! Can't wait to try this with some of my teas!
This looks so good! I've been looking for an alternative to Kool-aid and Crystal Light for my family and I would feel stellar giving this to my kiddos. I ordered CS Black Cherry Berry and can't wait to make this 🙂
Question about the vinegar — when you use the Bragg vinegar with the "mother" in it … do you shake up the bottle so everything gets mixed well? I have never used this kind of vinegar before, and this "mother" that's floating around in the vinegar seems kind of odd to me…
Thanks for enlightening me!
Hi Deb! Great question. I don't shake the bottle. I am kind of like you … it's odd looking and I leave it alone. The mother is really a fascinating thing. You can split her up and make more batches of vinegar (though I have not done that) … I have done it with kombucha … kombucha produces a mother a lot like the one you might see in the ACV bottle. It's actually a colony of living bacteria (good bacteria of course) Enjoy :)!
xoLexie
Thank you SO MUCH for posting this!! My daughter can not have any red dye because it makes her ADHD uncontrollable. Each summer she sits by, watching her friends eat Popsicles and drink koolaid that she can't have. I am so excited to try this with her, and even freeze them as Popsicles!!
What's the apple cider vinegar for?
How much does each batch make? You say "plus more water" but don't say how much or show or say how big of a container you use. I just made some but even after sweetener and the AVC it still just tastes like tea to me. I'm not sure what I did wrong. I put it in a gallon container that I had water in previously and only added a little bit more water to it but it tastes kind of bland and not very flavorful. I wouldn't mind drinking it but I don't think the boys will like it. I'll test it out on them after it cools completely.
Hi Kim:
I say to "Fill jar (and that would be a one gallon jar, per instructions above that) the rest of the way with water." So this recipe makes a gallon. Kim, it could be the tea you used. What did you flavor it with? Etc. If you don't like it then this recipe may not be for you. If you are expecting juice or actual cool-aid (and it's sweetness) you may be let down. The intention of this recipe is to wean sugar-addicted folks off the sugar.
Pamela:
In the post it reads that "Raw apple cider vinegar is added for tang and it's HEALTH-PROMOTING PROPERITES." Check out that link and see what raw ACV is known to help with.
xoLexie
I finally made it! I brewed it a little stronger since my kids are used to Kool-Aid. OMG so good! Yum yum yum! Thank you so much for coming up with this recipe. My family is eating a little healthier now, thanks to you 🙂
The jar glasses come with Armour dried beef
I did not find a flavor I thought I would so i opted for mixed berry green tea. Do you think it will work as well or have you tried it with green tea? Thanks
_______
Nicki, I think a tea with some flavor undertone would work great. We like Country Peach or one of the berry blends. xoLexie
I just LOVE this idea. Just magnificent! I have been looking for a powdered drink alternative for my family since we removed all processed food from our home and diet. My husband and I get into debates at the grocery store all the time over sugary drinks. I live in "Amish country" (Lancaster county P.A.) and in the warmer months I make what is commonly known around here called Meadow Tea. It is basically a cold sweet tea made from just garden mint. We love this because it is cool and refreshing, unfortunately it gets old if that is the only water alternative you have.
I can't wait to try this at home tonight!
Stevia has many of the same downsides as artificial sweeteners. There is very little research out there and only very refined forms are accepted by the FDA. I'd much rather have a little bit of natural sugar in my drink than Stevia until more research is done on it.
What about adding knox gelatin to this for a natural sf ff jello? has anyone tried that? also what about lemon juice instead of ACV? does it give the same tang I wonder?
The glasses come with dried beef slices like you use in cheese ball or beef and gravy. Hormel brand I believe.
Looks so refreshing! I'm featuring you in my PINASTIC Friday post tomorrow (Friday, May 3)–swing on by and visit!
Cindy
crazyloucreations.blogspot.com
Wow I have to try this because I just love cool aid and I know my dad will love it! This is a great, can't wait to subscribe 🙂
So going to try this for summer time drinks! It's hard to get the kids to drink enough water, because it's not that tasty, but this looks great! Thanks!
I made this with several different tea bags (about 4-5 flavors of raspberry and berry teas) that weren't all Celestial Seasonings, but it was so good! I used real sugar and added baking soda while steeping (before adding vinegar.) Delicious! BETTER than Kool-Aid:)
It is great to find a healthier alternative to most common recipes! Unfortunately I'm not a fan of Celestial Seasonings after reading this: http://www.examiner.com/article/dangerously-high-pesticide-levels-found-celestial-seasonings-teas
Thank you Sarah for sharing this report. I really appreciate it. I have altered the post and have suggested using any robustly fruit or berry tea … giving folks the option to choose their favorite brand. xoLexie
Someone above asked about adding gelatin to make this into jello, which is a very interesting twist! Could you use agar agar instead of the gelatin? I wonder if some brave soul would try this and let us know if it worked 🙂
Jessica and Heather … well maybe THIS brave soul needs to try it with gelatin and agar. Next project,ha! 🙂 xoLexie
Lexie, THANKS!!! This is amazing! I used a Sweet Orange herbal tea when I made this for the first time a few minutes ago. VERY impressed. I will use 5, maybe 6, bags next time, for more flavor. And I used 1/2 a cup of organic cane sugar. Even my husband was like, "Wow, it's very similar!" I loooove fruity drinks, but I hate fruity drinks. Now, I can enjoy them without worry (in moderation, of course). I plan on making up a gallon anytime we go to the zoo. Next up, grape!
I grow stevia but have yet to use any. I have fresh right now and some dried leaves from last year. Could I use this?…. And how much???
Rhonda … you could try making your own extract … here is one of many sources online 🙂
HOW TO MAKE STEVIA EXTRACT
http://www.foodrenegade.com/how-make-liquid-stevia-extract/
xoLexie
I've made this drink twice now, because I want it to work. Each time it comes up looking too pale and my kids refuse to drink it. The first time I made it with Celestial Seasonings Black Cherry Berry and this time I used Wild Berry Zinger. I'm using the 4 teabags, measuring my water, etc. Any tips? I think that it's a brilliant idea, and I really want it to work. Thanks!! Tammy
Tammy, you could use a couple more bags for a deeper color. If they really are hooked on color you could use a natural food coloring … I like India Tree Nature's Colors … http://www.indiatree.com/Subcategory_Page.php?0&Category=NC&Subcategory=NC_Decorating_Colors
xoLexie
Made this today and my 4 kids have it almost gone!!! HUGE HIT at this house!!!!!
I always find the idea of kool-aid a bit of a mystery – I suspect it is like our cordial – but the idea of fruity herbal tea cooled sounds great – actually I sometimes forget to drink a mug of herbal tea and drink it cold later so I know I would love this
I have not attempted at making this yet. I got store brand apple cider vinegar, it doesn't specify if it's raw or not. Should I use that to see how it works or get the brand you suggested?
Dawn … victory for mom! Glad they loved it.
Johanna … I think that's it … the cordial thing for kids. I hope you enjoy it!
Sarah … raw ACV has healing properties b/c it is a live fermented foods. In a pinch pasteurized apple cider vinegar will work. But try to get a brand like Bragg's if you like the cool-aid and want to keep making it 🙂
xoLexie
I just made this with the exact recipe.
I used Celestial Seasonings Raspberry Zinger.
Now I've got a slightly pink, non-zingy gallon of liquid. Should I use more tea bags?
The box says a serving is 1 teabag, how can 4 (equivalent to make 4 cups) be nearly enough to
flavor or get the above coloration in a gallon?
Even after the Stevia, it still only tastes like sweet water.
Did I do something incorrect? Maybe the recipe needs a little amending.
Thanks tho' 🙂
Keith … call me frugal, but some teas are quite spendy and using 6 bags can add up—especially the way our family goes through this stuff. If the taste is not strong enough for you (this drink is sort of intended to wean people off of heavy flavors and more toward water), then by all means add more bags. I think you know the answer to your own question. 🙂 I amended the recipe to say 4-6 just for you. xoLexie
Thanks for this healthy version of a kool aid style drink. My daughter is getting old enough to have treats and I would never in a million years give her chemical drinks like Koolaid. This would be fun.
Really dumb question, but do you remove the tea bags after steeping or leave them in there? :/
Also, I'm in Ireland so I have to use 2 liters of water and dry powdered Stevia – any changes I should know about? (I'm making this right now!) Thanks!!!!!
Hi there
I have been mixing the lemon zinger and berry zinger teas. After it steeps I add a small amount of Natural organic apple juice and chill. I add 2 teaspoons of Braggs ACV to a each glass each time I drink it since not everyone in my family is as addicted to ACV like I am but still like the iced herbal tea. I noticed in your recipe that you recommend it be added when tea is still warm. Do you think I am still reaping the benefits of the ACV while adding it after tea is chilled?
Marybeth, Cool is probably best. I say to fill mine the rest of the way with cold water. As along as you are not adding it to boiling water and killing the probiotics you are great! Your way is just fine 🙂
xoLexie
This sounds amazing!! I only drink diet pop when having beverages containing alcohol. I think this will be a great substitute. How long until this "goes bad" if it even does?
Hi Mary,
We keep it up for a week (if it lasts that long) in the fridge. Good for you for trying to quit the diet stuff. Not sure this tea would be the best substitute … no sure how it would pair with alcohol 🙂 xoLexie
To shreela: red tea ( or Rooibos tea) won’t turn bitter if left to steep too long. both black and green teas WILL get bitter the longer you leave them to steep. so I usually try to remove the tea (bag or loose leaf) after only a few quick minutes, rather than longer to reduce the bitterness… just a thought. Rooibos tea, I think, also has it’s own bit of tartness and flavor.
Tazo is made by Starbucks: not exactly what you want to support or consume if you are wanting to go really healthy. Celestial Seasonings (a Hain company, and although it used to be organic, not so much anymore) is also not a great source for teas: check out Choice organic teas, I like them and they have many flavors to choose from.
Please, if you really are trying to get away from processed and horrible-for-you-foods, check out the source and make sure you are getting good, healthy truly organic stuff from good sources that you want to support for their organics and their ethics of organic sustainability.
You can also just make regular tea and add organic fruit or fruit juice to make your own fruit flavored teas… better than getting pesticides or GMO’s or supporting a company that doesn’t really take organics seriously and tries to fake it…
Great idea for a beverage and for adding the Braggs vinegar! A+
I've made this so many times, using honey. I quit last yr because of the soy in the herbal raspberry zinger tea BUT as of now (May 2014) there is no more soy in the ingredients.
My kids LOVE this drink and I'm taking it to a Mothers Day brunch tomorrow.
I found this via pinterest. I have a 7 yr. old that can not have drinks like soda & Kool-Aid which makes her sad. We use to have these occasionally but now not at all due to some health issues. My kids all love flavored teas so this will be a great alternative to the issue of not getting to have Kool-Aid anymore. Thanks so much for sharing this! You have made one mama & two little girls very happy! 🙂
This is AMAZING! I usually use hibiscus tea. We’ve had great success with this recipe in my home! I shared a link on my blog today: http://www.healthhappensathome.com/blog/2016/6/28/healthy-living-motivation
Hi there. Thanks for the recipe..how long would you say this is good in the fridge?
Hi Ashley, oh I’d give it 5-7 days or so. 🙂
I found this recipe when my daughter was almost 2, and she had bad reactions to Red40. A little tweeking here and there depending on the type and flavor of tea, and it’s been a favorite ever since! Our favorite teas are Tazo passion tea, and CS Wild Berry Zinger! Lemon Ginger is also good when you aren’t feeling well! We also use either local honey or monk fruit sweetener (for zero cal). If the mix is ever too bitter from the vinegar, you can also add in a tablespoon of baking soda, and it will balance the flavor out! 🙂
Shannon, brilliant tip on the baking soda! It seems we brew this up ALOT in the summer and I’ve gotten into the habit of not measuring and sometimes splash in too much vinegar, so I will try this little trick! I will try the monk fruit sweetener, too. Sometimes it’s a nice break from stevia. Thank you for taking a sec to share your love and tips!
I remember drinking gallons of Kool aid as a kid. How I still have teeth is beyond me.