Florida Fact: Discovering the Origins of Gatorade
ORLANDO, Fla. – Florida, known for its beautiful beaches, theme parks, and unique attractions like road-side citrus stops, mermaids, and alligators, is not only a hub for entertainment and tourism but also home to some remarkable individuals. Among them are artists, scientists, athletes, and inventors who have made significant contributions to their respective fields.
Producer Katrina Scales delves into some fascinating Florida facts from 2022, shedding light on the state’s rich history and notable achievements. In the latest episode of Your Florida Daily, she highlights the story of a former University of Florida (UF) football player who played a pivotal role in the development of a groundbreaking beverage.
Gatorade, the official drink of numerous sports leagues today, has come a long way since its inception in the mid-1960s. Dr. Robert Cade, a renowned researcher at UF, set out to create a drink that would replenish carbohydrates lost by student athletes during intense physical activity. However, the early version of the concoction, consisting of water, sodium, sugar, potassium, and phosphate, did not taste pleasant, according to Chip Hinton, a 1969 UF graduate and retired Florida agriculture executive.
Hinton, who volunteered as a “guinea pig” for Dr. Cade’s experimental drink, vividly remembers his initial reaction: “Took one taste of it and said ‘this tastes like piss’ and put it over his head.” He was part of the freshman football team that Dr. Cade approached when he couldn’t secure the varsity team’s participation. The collaboration turned out to be a game-changer.
Dr. Cade and his team tirelessly worked to improve the taste of the beverage. Hinton recalls Dr. Cade’s wife suggesting the addition of lemon juice, which gradually transformed the drink into something more palatable. As the taste improved, so did the performance of the UF Gators football team. In 1967, the Gators secured a victory over the sixth-ranked Georgia Tech team in the Orange Bowl, prompting Georgia Tech’s coach Bobby Dodd to attribute the outcome to Gatorade. From that point on, Gatorade’s success story began to unfold.
Dr. Cade’s innovation didn’t stop there. He went on to develop a drink called “Hoppin’ Gator,” which combined Gatorade with beer and boasted 25% more alcohol content than regular beer. Hinton recalls that it gained immense popularity in Gainesville. However, Hoppin’ Gator’s reign was short-lived.
In 1983, the Quaker Oats Company acquired Gatorade after a fierce bidding war, and later, it became a part of PepsiCo. Today, Gatorade is marketed as a game-winning fuel for accomplished athletes worldwide. In a 2003 Gatorade commercial, Hinton reunited with Dr. Cade to highlight the drink’s success and its impact on athletes’ performance. The journey has been a remarkable one for Hinton, who credits Gatorade for opening numerous doors and opportunities in his life.
The University of Florida has also benefited greatly from Gatorade’s success. As of 2015, the university has received over $250 million in royalties, highlighting the significant impact of Dr. Cade’s invention. Dr. Cade, who passed away in 2007 from kidney failure, was posthumously honored as a “Great Floridian” at the Cade Museum in Gainesville.
Stay tuned for more special episodes of Your Florida Daily this week to discover the other incredible stories that make Florida a truly unique and fascinating state. You can listen to the podcast on ClickOrlando.com, Apple Podcasts, or Spotify.
About the Author:
Katrina Scales is a producer for the News 6+ Takeover at 3:30 p.m. She is also the writer and voice behind the podcast Your Florida Daily. Born and raised in Brevard County, Katrina began her journalism career in radio before joining News 6 in June 2021.
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