Hi-C is a popular fruit-flavored, non-carbonated beverage brand in the United States, known for its bright colors and distinctive drink box packaging. Produced by the Minute Maid division of The Coca-Cola Company, the drink has maintained its place in the market for decades. The name “Hi-C” refers to the product’s historical fortification with ascorbic acid (Vitamin C).
The Origin and Evolution of Hi-C
In the post-war era of the 1940s, entrepreneur Niles Foster sought to create a convenient, shelf-stable fruit beverage. Foster introduced the product in 1946, initially marketing it as a vitamin-fortified alternative to fresh juice that did not require refrigeration before opening. The original flavor was orange, and the name “Hi-C” was chosen to highlight its relatively high content of Vitamin C.
The beverage was originally hot-packed in large, enamel-lined steel cans, which allowed for extended shelf life. After initial success in the Southern United States, the brand began to expand nationwide by 1949, quickly becoming a supermarket staple. In 1954, the Minute Maid Corporation acquired the brand. The company continued to expand the flavor portfolio throughout the following decades, adapting the drink to new packaging formats like the popular drink boxes.
Core Ingredients and Nutritional Profile
The modern Hi-C formulation is primarily composed of filtered water and sweeteners, with minimal fruit juice from concentrate. The main sweetener used in classic varieties is high-fructose corn syrup (HFCS), which provides the drink’s characteristic sweetness. HFCS is a liquid sweetener derived from corn starch that has been processed to convert some glucose into fructose, resulting in a composition similar to table sugar.
The fruit juice content in many Hi-C varieties is typically very low, often falling below 5%, with some labels indicating less than 0.5% juice from concentrate. Despite the low juice content, the drink is fortified with a full day’s supply of Vitamin C, or ascorbic acid, per serving. Flavor and color are achieved through the addition of natural and artificial flavors and color additives.
A standard 6-fluid-ounce drink box of Hi-C contains approximately 40 to 90 calories and between 10 and 25 grams of total sugar. The sugar content often includes 8 to 15 grams of added sugar, which represents a significant portion of the daily recommended limit. Some varieties use a blend of high-fructose corn syrup along with artificial sweeteners like sucralose and acesulfame potassium to achieve a lower calorie and sugar profile.
The Current Flavor Lineup
The Hi-C brand maintains a diverse lineup of flavors, primarily packaged in convenient 6-fluid-ounce juice boxes for individual sale or in multipacks. Core flavors consistently available in the drink box format include:
- Flashin’ Fruit Punch
- Orange Lavaburst
- Torrential Tropical Punch
- Boppin’ Strawberry
Hi-C is also available as a fountain beverage in select restaurants, offering flavors like Flashin’ Fruit Punch and Poppin’ Pink Lemonade. The brand has leveraged its nostalgic appeal with notable limited-edition releases, such as the return of Ecto Cooler. This green, citrus-flavored variety was originally tied to the Ghostbusters franchise. This promotional flavor has returned in special runs, sometimes available exclusively through social media promotions or specific retailers.