Grown-Up Versions of Your Favorite Childhood Drinks

Drink the Kool-Aid, won't you?


In elementary school, there was always major anticipation over what your parents packed in your lunchbox. Would it be a boring PB&J or a far cooler Lunchables? Would they include fruit or treat you with a cookie? Most importantly, what juice box would they include? As kids we could care less about mystery ingredients or shocking amounts of sugar. Sadly, we know better now, but that doesn't mean we have to give up old cravings. From Kool-Aid bursts to Juicy Juice and Yoo-Hoo–satisfy your nostalgia with new equivalents boasting a healthy kick.

If You Loved Yoo-Hoo Chocolate Drink

When it came to chocolate milk, Yoo-Hoo reigned supreme. Who knew it wasn't actually milk? Meet its wholesome match: Juisi raw chocolate almond milk. Aside from being seriously tasty, this bottle contains flavonols and antioxidants from raw cacao to promote good cardiovascular health and combat free radicals, plus healthy fat from almonds to maintain good cholesterol.

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If You Loved Juicy Juice

Apple juice is a classic, and Juicy Juice was the go-to brand. Bragg's apple cider vinegar drink keeps that crisp, tart taste while introducing the added benefits of aiding digestion and regulating blood sugar and appetite.

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If You Loved Kool-Aid Bursts

Kool-Aid Bursts had to be the most popular drink in the cafeteria–especially in the "blue" flavor. Mamma Chia has a drink that delivers that same satisfying squeeze action while providing powerful nutrients. The organic chia seeds contain omega-3s, protein, and fiber that will keep you filled in a pinch.

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If You Loved Hawaiian Punch

"Red" was another popular flavor, typically from Hawaiian Punch. Was it cherry? Apple? Who knows, but Suja's spark juice contains an all-natural cocktail of fruits like strawberry, cherry, lemon, and raspberry while being friendly to folks who are dairy free, soy free, and gluten free. It also contains detox-aiding cayenne.

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If You Loved Capri Sun

Half the fun of getting Capri Sun was the many attempts it took to insert the tiny straw. You won't need to worry about that with Health-Ade's glass bottle of bubbly kombucha goodness. The lemon flavor has inflammation-reducing ginger plus probiotics to support ease of digestion.

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If You Loved Coca-Cola

As kids, Coke was a special-occasion kind of drink. While you can still easily find it in any vending machine, Zevia is a smart alternative if you're looking to cut down on sugar. It tastes similar but is sweetened with a mix of plant-based stevia and monk fruit.

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If You Loved Arizona Watermelon

An after-school pit stop to the deli always meant grabbing a big ol' can of Arizona. Instead of picking a watermelon-flavored concoction, go for the real deal with Wtrmln Wtr's cold-pressed, raw, 100 percent watermelon juice. It's incredibly refreshing, and a single bottle contains disease-fighting vitamin C, antiaging lycopene, and potassium to aid heart, liver, and kidney function.

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If You Loved Sunny D

Nothing beat a bottle of Sunny D's orange-flavored drink. Get that tangy citrus refreshment in Juice Press's spicy citrus offering, a vitamin C-filled cold-pressed blend of orange, grapefruit, and lemon, with immunity-boosting ginger and cayenne.

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If You Loved Hi-C

At one point it seemed every kid's fridge was stocked with a big pack of Hi-C juice boxes. It feels strange to bust out one of these out as an adult, so go for Cheribundi's tart cherry juice instead. It's made from real cherries that contain anthocyanins, antioxidants that fight inflammation and help with muscle recovery.

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