Who Makes Liquid IV

Liquid I.V. hydration mixes are made by Liquid I.V. LLC, a wellness brand founded by Brandin Cohen that has been owned by Unilever since 2020.

What began as a college dorm room idea grew into one of the best selling hydration brands in the country before catching a global consumer goods giant’s attention.

Many shoppers still think of Liquid I.V. as an independent startup, unaware that it now shares a parent company with Dove and Hellmann’s.

This guide explains who owns Liquid I.V., when it was founded, where it is actually manufactured, and how it compares to Gatorade and Pedialyte.

Who Owns Liquid I.V.

Liquid I.V. is owned by Unilever, the British consumer goods giant that also owns Dove, Hellmann’s, and dozens of other household brands.

Unilever announced its acquisition of Liquid I.V. in September 2020, though the exact purchase price was never publicly disclosed, according to Unilever’s own announcement.

Founder Brandin Cohen remained involved after the sale and has continued speaking publicly about the brand’s direction under Unilever’s ownership.

The deal gave Liquid I.V. access to Unilever’s global distribution network, helping the brand expand well beyond its original United States customer base.

You can read more about Cohen’s founding story on the official Liquid I.V. site.

Unilever has said publicly that Liquid I.V. was one of the fastest growing brands in its entire portfolio at the time of the acquisition, which explains the scale of its later investment.

When Was Liquid I.V. Founded?

Liquid I.V. was founded in 2012 by Brandin Cohen, who was in his mid twenties at the time and looking for a better way to rehydrate after workouts.

Cohen built the company around a powdered electrolyte drink mix using what the brand calls Cellular Transport Technology, designed to absorb fluids faster than water alone.

The product grew through word of mouth and social media before catching wider attention from retailers and celebrity endorsers.

By the time Unilever came calling in 2020, Liquid I.V. had already become one of the best selling hydration brands in the United States.

Early word of mouth came partly from athletes and fitness influencers who shared the product online, well before any major retail deals were signed.

Where Is Liquid I.V. Made?

Liquid I.V. is manufactured in the United States, with Unilever investing heavily in domestic production capacity since the acquisition.

Unilever operates a major production facility in Jefferson City, Missouri, that produces Liquid I.V. products at large scale.

In 2024, Unilever announced an investment of more than 80 million dollars to expand that Jefferson City factory specifically for Liquid I.V. output.

Production officially ramped up at the expanded facility in 2025, according to Unilever’s press announcement celebrating the milestone.

State officials in Missouri celebrated the Jefferson City expansion as a major local jobs win, since the investment created hundreds of new manufacturing positions in the area.

What Products Does Liquid I.V. Make?

Liquid I.V.’s core product is its Hydration Multiplier, a powdered drink mix sold in single serving packets across dozens of flavors.

The company also sells Immune Support, Energy Multiplier, and Sleep formulas, each built around the same electrolyte delivery technology.

Ready to drink bottled versions and multi packs are sold at major retailers alongside the original powder packets.

Newer product lines have expanded into protein and pre workout categories, moving Liquid I.V. beyond pure hydration.

Liquid I.V. also sells kids formulas and lower sugar options, aimed at families and buyers who want the hydration benefits without as much added sweetener.

Liquid I.V. vs Gatorade vs Pedialyte: Who Makes Each?

Liquid I.V., Gatorade, and Pedialyte all sell electrolyte drinks, but each product comes from a completely different kind of parent company.

Gatorade is made by PepsiCo, the food and beverage giant that has owned the sports drink brand since 2001.

Our guide on who makes Gatorade covers how PepsiCo built that sports drink empire.

Pedialyte is made by Abbott Laboratories, a healthcare company that markets it primarily as a pediatric rehydration solution rather than a sports drink.

Wellness and supplement brands like Nature Made, covered in our guide to who makes Nature Made vitamins, show how differently these health focused categories can be structured.

Liquid I.V. sits closer to the wellness supplement world than traditional sports drinks, which shaped Unilever’s decision to acquire it.

Is Liquid I.V. Worth It?

Liquid I.V. is generally well reviewed for its taste and effectiveness compared to plain water or traditional sports drinks.

Some nutrition experts note the sugar content in certain flavors is higher than expected for a product marketed around wellness.

Frequent travelers, people recovering from illness, and hungover partygoers often cite Liquid I.V. as noticeably more effective than plain water alone for fast rehydration.

Budget shoppers sometimes choose generic electrolyte powders instead, since the underlying ingredients are often similar at a lower price.

Liquid I.V. also markets its packets as a convenient travel item, small enough to carry in a bag or pocket for use on flights or during long hikes.

Frequently Asked Questions About Who Makes Liquid I.V.

Who makes Liquid I.V.?

Liquid I.V. is made by Liquid I.V. LLC, a company founded by Brandin Cohen in 2012 and owned by Unilever since 2020.

Is Liquid I.V. owned by Unilever?

Yes, Unilever acquired Liquid I.V. in September 2020 and has since invested heavily in expanding its production capacity.

Is Liquid I.V. made in the USA?

Yes, Liquid I.V. is manufactured in the United States, largely at Unilever’s expanded factory in Jefferson City, Missouri.

Is Liquid I.V. the same as Pedialyte?

No, they are different products from different companies, though both are electrolyte drinks designed to support rehydration.