Kool Aid Pickles

Kool Aid Pickles are a sweet and sour mix that put a new spin on a savory classic. Whip up a batch of "Koolickles" today for a fun and tangy treat the entire family will love!

Every now and then I forget that my native Michigander husband hasn't grown up in the south with all of our "interesting" foods like boiled peanuts and pickled okra or pigs feet. So when I recently realized that my pickle-loving man had never heard of Kool Aid Pickles (or Koolickles or pickoolas) I knew I had to enlighten him on this Southern delicacy!

Pickle fan? Try this Cuban Cobb Salad too!

What are Koolickles and what do Kool Aid Pickles taste like?

Simply put, Kool Aid Pickles combine the traditional pickle brine with Kool Aid and sugar. After soaking the pickles take on not only the color of the Kool Aid but also the sweet tangy flavor with a vinegar kick!

The general consensus is that Koolickles originated in the Mississippi delta, where you can buy them at many gas stations and convenience stores.

Instructions

We're not talking rocket science here with this fun recipe. You'll only need three ingredients:

• 32 oz jar dill pickle spears
• 1 packet kool aid (flavor of your choice)
• ½ cup sugar

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Pour about an inch of pickle juice out of the jar, then add the sugar and Kool Aid. Close the jar tightly and shake vigorously until the sugar dissolves.

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Keep the jars in the refrigerator for 5-7 days, shaking daily to mix.

Tips for best results

• You can use any flavor of kool aid you choose, tropical punch and cherry kool aid are the most common but I've seen them made with lime, orange, lemonade, and watermelon flavors as well!
• You can use Splenda or a sugar substitute if you like to make a lower sugar version of Koolickles.
• I've heard you can use Crystal Light as well but have not personally tried it for my family.
• You can make these with whole dill pickles but I suggest slicing them in half lengthwise before soaking them in the kool-aid bath, otherwise the kool aid will not penetrate all the way to the middle.

Kool aid pickles can stain your hand and anything else they come in contact with!

Storage

According to Still Tasty, you can keep these commercially jarred dill pickles in their pickle jar in the fridge for up to 1 year

Now I'll be 100% honest, I'm NOT a pickle person so these Koolickles are not my cup of tea. They are definitely a polarizing snack-everyone I know either LOVES them or HATES them.

My husband loved them as do my kids and most of my family members, they tell me the taste is similar to sweet relish. They are always a big hit at parties too if you're looking for an attention-getting dish to bring!

Have you tried Kool Aid pickles? Let me know by rating and commenting below, I love hearing from you!

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