From Orangeade to Grape Drink and Florida Fruit Punch (and more!), these drinks were a staple of childhood in the 1950s, 1960s, 1970s, 1980s and even the 1990s! Join us as we look back at the tasty history of Hi-C and some of the flavors that made it an American favorite.
Hi-C — the wholesome family drink (1950)
Its refreshing fresh orange tang makes you glad you’re thirsty! Drink all you want — It’s enriched with Vitamin C
These summer days… keep plenty of delicious Hi-C in your refrigerator. Children love its fresh orange tang. Grownups love it, too. So delicious… so wholesome. Hi-C is made from juicy, tree-ripened oranges. It’s enriched with Vitamin C and dextrose. One 8-oz glass gives you 30 milligrams of Vitamin C — daily minimum requirement for an adult.
Just chill and pour… Hi-C is a ready-to-serve drink. Always ready for summer’s many “thirsty” moments. Best of all, you can let the whole family (even the youngest of them) drink all they want. Hi-C is not carbonated.
Your grocer has Hi-C – the original canned orangeade, in both the big 46- and the handy 12-oz sizes. Better buy Hi-C by the case — or you’ll wish you had. Non-carbonated… ready to serve… economical! (96 big glasses per case!)
Hi-C drinks in 7 flavors, including new Cherry (1966)
We’re giving away $55,000 in cash prizes. Why? To celebrate our still-growing Hi-C fruit drink family.
The first member was Hi-C Orange. That became first among all fruit drinks so fast, we just kept on going — and growing. Now we’ve done it again. Our latest addition is a luscious new arrival — Hi-C Cherry.
Flavors: Grape drink, orange-pineapple drink, pineapple-grapefruit drink, orange drink, Florida punch, apple drink, cherry drink
The sensible drink: Retro beverages
Does Hi-C come in 9 great flavors? Yep.
Is it made from real fruit? Yep. | Does it have Vitamin C? Yep. | Will you give me a sip? Nope.
Now. Hi-C drink in Mom-Top cans. (1960s)
Mom-Top cans? We call them Mom-Top cans because kids can open them without bothering Mom. Moms love the convenience of 12-ounce cans. They’re portable (5 inches high). This new lightweight makes a great lunchboxer.
Just the right size for picnics or a party of one. Four favorite natural fruit flavors: Orange, Grape, Florida Punch, and Orange Pineapple.
Vintage Hi-C Grape drink (1960s/1970s)
What makes Hi-C the sensible drink? The fresh fruit it’s made from? The fact that it’s naturally sweetened? Or is it all that Vitamin C?
It’s all this. And more. Hi-C is loved by the whole family. No wonder Hi-C is the sensible drink… it makes sense for everyone.
Vintage 1970s Hi C drinks for the whole family
Hi-C is good fun in the wintertime (1972)
Retro Hi-C mail order offer: Hot Dots (1972)
- FUN FRUIT FLAVORS – Hi-C Singles To Go offer exciting fruit taste that fuels fun for all ages! The colorful, explosive flavors are as delicious as they are hydrating.
- CONVENIENT – Now you can enjoy the refreshing taste of Hi-C wherever you go. They are perfectly portioned powdered drink mixes for your on-the-go convenience.
- ZERO SUGAR – Hi-C Singles To Go are low calorie, fat free and sugar free drink mixes. Plus, they contain 100% vitamin C so they’re great for the whole family!
Hi-C Orange drink (1978)
You know how good it is for breakfast. If your family likes full, rich orange flavor, they’ll love the taste of Hi-C, Orange Drink. Because Hi-C Orange Drink gets its real orange flavor from real oranges.
And every 6-ounce glassful has 10% real orange juice and a full day’s supply of Vitamin C (100% US. RDA). Hi-C Orange Drink. You know how good it is. Pick several cans the next time you shop!
MORE: Tang, the retro orange drink mix that astronauts & Florence Henderson liked
Free Magic Tricks from Bill Cosby!
“First, buy lots of cans of Hi-C, fruit drinks with my picture on the label. Next, remove the label from a can and you’ll fine one easy-to-learn magic trick, like these, on the back.”
“There are 15 different magic tricks, so collect them all. Practice the tricks, then invite your friends over for a magic party. And be sure to serve lots of magically-delicious Hi-C. (Just watch how fast it disappears!) Hi-C has 10% real fruit juice and a day’s worth of Vitamin C in every six ounce glass (100% RDA).”
“Hi-C and party magic. Terrific!”
New Peachy Hi-C Peach (1977)
You’ve never tasted anything like it, because there’s nothing else like it! And since it’s from the makers of Hi-C, you know how good it is! The freshest, peachiest new Hi-C flavor ever… with the rich, luscious flavor of the peaches you’ll love.
And, of course, a whole day’s supply of Vitamin C in every 6-ounce glass. Take a sip and you’ll say it’s just peachy! We’re so sure you’ll love new Peach we’ll even help pay for your first sip.
80s boys with Hi-C juice boxes (1984)
Hi-C juice boxes with fruit punch (1993)
Hi-C drink and Marvel X-Men (1990s)
2 Responses
Bill Cosby? Really? Why would you put anything on your sight about that rapist? It doesn’t matter how old the ad is, it’s one thing that I don’t want to see!!!
I remember the big Hi-C cans from the 1970s… and I remember how grown-up I felt when I was allowed to pour a drink from one of those cans by myself for the first time! The cans themselves weren’t kid-friendly, and an adult had to use a can opener to punch holes in the top. And that assumed that anyone had a “church key” handy…
The “Hot Dot” giveaway is also interesting. Hot Dots were everywhere in the early 70s. We would sometimes get them for free at school, as we were encouraged to stick them on our bikes and other surfaces for safety.