Gatorwine is a mysterious new drop taking over TikTok. “What backwater bootleg booze concoction is that?” you may be rightly asking yourself. While it sure sounds like something you might find in a Florida trap house, no alligators were harmed in the making of this viral “cocktail.”

Made with equal parts light blue Gatorade and cheap red wine (specifically, under $12), Gatorwine’s origins are as murky as a swamp. A Reddit post from five years ago by user SupportLocalShart recommended a 50/50 blend of wine and Gatorade, “Boom. Gatorwine” and appears to be the earliest written record of the drink. Other rumours floating around suggest the combo of wine and Gatorade is a creative prison hooch trick. God bless America. 

What is clear, however, is that over the last week, TikTok has jumped on the bandwagon and despite everyone’s best judgements, Gatorwine has become a thing. 

Much of the US is experiencing a heatwave at the moment, and because modern problems require modern solutions, clever Netizens are dodging dehydration by adding a boost of electrolytes to their sundowners. 

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@babishculinaryuniverseEverything goes better with a glass of gatorwine. We ranked your strangest recipes, check out the full episode on YouTube!♬ original sound – Binging with Babish

Drinks like Gatorade and Powerade were developed to help athletes replenish the carbohydrates and salts lost during vigorous exercise (not for chugging while horizontal the morning after the night before). These are the same valuable electrolytes that are depleted while drinking alcohol. By mixing the Gatorade with the wine, the theory is that you’ll replenish your electrolytes, avoid dehydration, and with a bit of luck, cheat a hangover.

While we can’t attest to the science behind this trailer park trial and error, anecdotal evidence suggests that the unlikely combination is surprisingly delicious.

Popularised by food vlogger Binging With Babish, who was challenged to try his followers’ most unusual flavour combos, the drink is like the strange love child of sangria and Kid Rock. “That is unlike anything I have ever tasted before.”

Not that you asked, but here’s how to make Gatorwine

Ingredients

• 170ml light-bodied red wine
• 170ml Glacier Freeze Gatorade

Method

1. In a chilled wine glass, mix equal parts Gatorade and wine, and stir. 
2. Think about what you’ve done.

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