Beverages, orange-flavor drink, breakfast type, powder, prepared with water
Whole food · Beverages
Photo: Wikipedia
This is a sweet, tangy, and brightly colored powdered drink mix, typically made by dissolving orange-flavored crystals in water to create a refreshing, fruity beverage. It's a nostalgic staple for quick hydration and a burst of citrus flavor, known for its vibrant orange hue and smooth, liquid texture. Nutritionally, it's a source of simple carbohydrates, primarily from sugar, providing quick energy but minimal other nutrients.
Calorie split: 0% protein · 100% carbs · 0% fat
↓ Full nutrition💚 Why it's loved
People love it for its familiar, sweet-tart orange flavor that evokes childhood memories and its sheer convenience as a quick, thirst-quenching drink. Its versatility in being easily mixed to desired strength and its role as a simple, comforting beverage make it a popular choice for casual refreshment.
⚠️ Watch-outs & how to enjoy it better
The primary downside is its high sugar content, which can lead to blood-sugar spikes and offers little nutritional value beyond calories. Those monitoring sugar intake or managing diabetes should be cautious. To counteract this, consider mixing it with a smaller amount of powder to reduce sugar, or pairing the drink with a source of protein or healthy fat (like nuts or cheese) to help stabilize blood sugar response.
Key benefits
- Provides quick energy from simple carbohydrates.
- Offers a convenient and portable source of hydration.
- Low in fat and contains no protein.
- Can be a palatable way to encourage fluid intake, especially for children.
- Typically low in sodium.
🍽️ Popular dishes
🌍 Where it's eaten
💡 Did you know?
The iconic orange drink mix was popularized in the 1950s and 60s as a convenient, shelf-stable alternative to fresh juice, often marketed with vibrant, sun-drenched imagery and jingles.
Full nutrition (USDA data · scales with serving)
| Water | 87.2 g |
| Energy | 49.0 kcal |
| Energy | 206 kj |
| Protein | 0.00 g |
| Total lipid (fat) | 0.00 g |
| Ash | 0.20 g |
| Carbohydrate, by difference | 12.7 g |
| Fiber, total dietary | 0.10 g |
| Total Sugars | 11.8 g |
| Calcium, Ca | 52.0 mg |
| Iron, Fe | 0.00 mg |
| Magnesium, Mg | 1.0 mg |
| Phosphorus, P | 19.0 mg |
| Potassium, K | 25.0 mg |
| Sodium, Na | 5.0 mg |
| Zinc, Zn | 0.01 mg |
| Copper, Cu | 0.01 mg |
| Manganese, Mn | 0.01 mg |
| Selenium, Se | 0.10 ug |
| Fluoride, F | 64.5 ug |
| Vitamin C, total ascorbic acid | 29.5 mg |
| Thiamin | 0.00 mg |
| Riboflavin | 0.09 mg |
| Niacin | 1.0 mg |
| Pantothenic acid | 0.00 mg |
| Vitamin B-6 | 0.10 mg |
| Folate, total | 0.00 ug |
| Folic acid | 0.00 ug |
| Folate, food | 0.00 ug |
| Folate, DFE | 0.00 ug |
| Vitamin B-12 | 0.00 ug |
| Vitamin B-12, added | 0.00 ug |
| Vitamin A, RAE | 77.0 ug |
| Retinol | 77.0 ug |
| Carotene, beta | 0.00 ug |
| Carotene, alpha | 0.00 ug |
| Cryptoxanthin, beta | 0.00 ug |
| Vitamin A, IU | 256 iu |
| Lycopene | 0.00 ug |
| Lutein + zeaxanthin | 0.00 ug |
| Vitamin E (alpha-tocopherol) | 0.00 mg |
| Vitamin E, added | 0.00 mg |
| Vitamin K (phylloquinone) | 0.00 ug |
| Alcohol, ethyl | 0.00 g |
| Caffeine | 0.00 mg |
| Theobromine | 0.00 mg |
Fat & fatty acid profile (per 100g)
| Fatty acids, total saturated | 0.00 g |
| SFA 4:0 | 0.00 g |
| SFA 6:0 | 0.00 g |
| SFA 8:0 | 0.00 g |
| SFA 10:0 | 0.00 g |
| SFA 12:0 | 0.00 g |
| SFA 14:0 | 0.00 g |
| SFA 16:0 | 0.00 g |
| SFA 18:0 | 0.00 g |
| Fatty acids, total monounsaturated | 0.00 g |
| MUFA 16:1 | 0.00 g |
| MUFA 18:1 | 0.00 g |
| MUFA 20:1 | 0.00 g |
| MUFA 22:1 | 0.00 g |
| Fatty acids, total polyunsaturated | 0.00 g |
| PUFA 18:2 | 0.00 g |
| PUFA 18:3 | 0.00 g |
| PUFA 18:4 | 0.00 g |
| PUFA 20:4 | 0.00 g |
| PUFA 20:5 n-3 (EPA) | 0.00 g |
| PUFA 22:5 n-3 (DPA) | 0.00 g |
| PUFA 22:6 n-3 (DHA) | 0.00 g |
| Fatty acids, total trans | 0.00 g |
| Cholesterol | 0.00 mg |
Amino acid profile (per 100g)
Estimated from Beverages, carbonated, tonic water — USDA does not publish this profile for Beverages.
| Tryptophan | 0.00 g |
| Threonine | 0.00 g |
| Isoleucine | 0.00 g |
| Leucine | 0.00 g |
| Lysine | 0.00 g |
| Methionine | 0.00 g |
| Cystine | 0.00 g |
| Phenylalanine | 0.00 g |
| Tyrosine | 0.00 g |
| Valine | 0.00 g |
| Arginine | 0.00 g |
| Histidine | 0.00 g |
| Alanine | 0.00 g |
| Aspartic acid | 0.00 g |
| Glutamic acid | 0.00 g |
| Glycine | 0.00 g |
| Proline | 0.00 g |
| Serine | 0.00 g |
FAQ
Is this drink mix healthy?
It is not considered a healthy beverage due to its high sugar content and lack of significant vitamins, minerals, or fiber. It's best enjoyed occasionally as a treat rather than a daily hydration source.
How is it different from orange juice?
Unlike orange juice, which is made from fruit and contains natural sugars, vitamins, and fiber, this powdered drink is primarily a flavored sugar solution with artificial or natural flavorings and colorings.
Can I use it in baking?
Yes, it can be used to add orange flavor and sweetness to baked goods like cakes, cookies, or frostings. Dissolve the powder in a small amount of liquid called for in the recipe to incorporate it evenly.
Nutrient density (calculated · NRF9.3)
Nutrient Rich Foods index: beneficial nutrients (protein, fiber, vitamins, minerals) minus saturated fat, added sugar & sodium, per 100 kcal.
NRF9.3 index — Fulgoni, Keast & Drewnowski, 2009. Computed from USDA nutrients.
Weight-loss friendliness (composite index)
Energy density 0.49 kcal/g · 0% calories from protein · 0.1 g fiber · 11.8 g sugar per 100 g.
Composite of energy density (Rolls et al., 1999), protein & fiber satiety, minus sugar. A calculated heuristic — ranks satiety-per-calorie, not a clinical measure.
Dietary load (calculated from USDA values)
Potential renal acid load. Positive = acid-forming, negative = alkaline-forming.
Sodium-to-potassium ratio: 0.20 (lower is better — aim for ≤ 1)
Sodium:potassium per WHO potassium guidance. Computed from USDA nutrients.