Lyndsay Burginger

Kool-Aid Pickle Recipe + Where to Buy Them

Have you ever tried Kool-Aid Pickles? Maybe you know them as Koolickles. Whatever you call them, you know you're in for a treat with these bright and colorful beauties. This popular treat is the perfect mix of sweet and sour and doesn't take too much effort to make.

A huge hit in the South, especially the Mississippi Delta,  Kool-Aid Pickles is the perfect sweet and tangy condiment or side dish alongside a big meal or as a refreshing snack. Hey, you could even chop them up for a colorful relish. Honestly, it's kind of a crazy twist on regular pickles, but no doubt eye-catching and fun to make.

What Are Kool Aid Pickles?

Kool-Aid Pickles are simply just pickles soaked in pickle juice, any flavor of Kool-Aid and sugar. It takes about a week or two for the pickles to soak in all of that delicious, colorful brine. But overall, it's an easy recipe and the process is quite simple. Be sure to add this to your list of pickle recipes.

How to Make Kool-Aid Pickles or Koolickles

Take 1, 32-ounce jar of dill pickles and drain out the pickle juice into a large bowl. You could use a jar of dill pickle spears, whole dill pickles, slices, or even my favorite, gherkins. Experiment and see what you like!

kool aid picklesAlexandria Ellison

What is the most popular flavor of Kool Aid pickles?

Next, you'll want to decide on your Kool-Aid drink mix. There are a lot of Kool-Aid flavors to choose from. The flavor and color of the pickles will depend on the Kool-Aid mix. If you like sweet pickles, popular flavors are Cherry, Tropical Punch, Watermelon, and Strawberry. If you're into something tangy, go for Lemon-Lime or Lemonade.

Once you have picked your flavor, dump in one packet of unsweetened Kool-Aid into the pickle juice along with some sugar (about ¾ cup sugar). If that's too much sweetness, no worries! Just reduce the amount of sugar. Whisk this mixture and then pour it back into the jar of pickles.

Seal the pickle jar tightly and give it a good shake. Place the jar back in the refrigerator and let the funky Kool-Aid mixture soak into the pickles for about a week for the best flavor. It's best to shake the jar once a day to ensure the colorful brine moves around the pickles. Refrigerate for up to two months.

Where to Find and Buy Kool Aid Pickles

Did you know Walmart used to sell its own brand of fruit punch flavored pickles? Sold under the name, Tropickles, the red and tangy cucumbers were distributed by the Great Value brand. Unfortunately, the product has been discontinued, so you'll either have to find a local store, check out Etsy, or make your own!

How fun is that? And they're so simple! Try making these Kool-Aid pickles for the holidays, Super Bowl, or for your next cookout. Kool-Aid Pickles will absolutely bring a pop of color to any table display.

READ MORE: 7 Health Benefits of Pickles That'll Make You Grab a Spear

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What are Kool Aid Pickles and How Can You Make Them at Home

Ever tried a Kool-Aid Pickle or a Koolickle? Created in the Mississippi Delta, these salty and sweet snackes are a snap to make at home.
Prep Time 10 minutes
Total Time 10 minutes
Servings 18 servings

Ingredients
  

  • 1 32 oz jar pickle spears
  • 1 pkg Kool Aid, any flavor
  • 3/4 cup sugar

Instructions
 

  • Place a strainer over a large bowl and pour in the jar of pickles. Place the pickles back in the jar. To the pickle juice add Kool-Aid and sugar and whisk until dissolved.
  • Pour the pickle juice back into the jar. You may have a little bit of juice leftover.
  • Seal the top and shake to combine. Place in the refrigerator for one week, shaking the jar every day. Serve.