The story
In 1965 the University of Florida's football coach in Gainesville asked team doctors why his players were wilting in the heat. A team of researchers at the university medical school, led by Robert Cade, mixed water, salt, sugar, potassium, phosphate and lemon juice to replace what the players lost in sweat, and ten players tested it that season. They first thought of calling it Gator-Aid, after the team, the Gators, but settled on Gatorade. When Florida won the Orange Bowl in 1967, the losing coach blamed the drink. A food company bought the rights, the NFL adopted it, and it became a global brand.
Also known as Gator-Aid.
On the Meridish menu
Gatorade was the aperitif course on menu No. 21 on October 21, 2026. Its clue in the game, which hints at the place without naming it:
A salty-sweet sports drink cooked up by university doctors in 1965 so the local college football team wouldn't wilt in the summer heat.
In Meridish, every dish is pinned to the town or city most widely credited with creating it. A guess within 25 km scores all 100 points. How scoring works.
Sources
Food history is often disputed. Think we've pinned it in the wrong place? Tell us at hello@meridish.com, ideally with a source.
