The Fruity Drink Mix Pie That Used To Be A Summer Staple

Powdered drink mixes were in practically every American household in the '60s, and that includes America's favorite bright orange mix, Tang. A few spoonfuls of Tang could take a boring glass of water and turn it into a sweet and citrusy refreshment, but its most appealing trait might be its functionality. That flavor isn't only beneficial in a glass, at least, that's what everyone thought in the 1960s when they were whipping up no-bake Tang pie.

This era introduced many things, but convenience in the kitchen was one of the most impactful and long-lasting changes. Home cooks looked to pre-packaged mixes, hoping to shave off some prep time, and in the process they discovered some legendary combinations and baking hacks. Combining Tang powder with sweetened condensed milk and sour cream was one of those incredible discoveries, but most of that credit can go to General Foods, the powdered drink's manufacturer.

Tang gained even more popularity after becoming the first drink mix to jet off to space, leading NASA-inspired advertisements for years to come, and "astronaut pie," aka Tang pie, was one of the most revered. The rich pie is like a creamsicle within a graham cracker crust — the ultimate oven-free summer dessert with a splash of nostalgia.

The thick and creamy custard base has a similar texture to that of key lime pie, also in a crumbly buttered crust, but flavored with orange rather than lime. Like many beloved pie recipes of the past, this one only calls for a handful of ingredients. Tang provides zest along with the necessary sweetness, eliminating the need for additional sugar. Some recipes opt for cream cheese while others add a few drops of vanilla extract, but the list of ingredients rarely reaches double digits.

Tang first emerged in the late '50s, created by General Foods Corporation food scientist William Mitchell (the same man behind Pop Rocks, Jell-O, and Cool Whip). Powdered drink mixes were huge at the start of the next decade, with Americans already consuming $80 million worth each year. As the king of food textures, Mitchell knew he could create the perfect citrus-forward crystals. He locked down the perfect potion in 1957 and General Foods began marketing the drink just two years later.