Before the proliferation of AI slop, there was April Fools.
It’s that time of year when you’re not sure if anything you see online is real. And brands do have a lot of fun with gullible fans.
As you scroll throughout the day, you’ll probably come across some products and deals that seem too good to be true.
Most of them are, of course, but others are no joke.
Here are some of the best and most ridiculous brand stunts on this April Fools’ Day, as well as some freebies and giveaways to get your hands on.
Califia Farms and Carbone Fine Food cooked up an unexpected April Fools’ collaboration: a limited-edition Spicy Vodka Almond Creamer.
Taking inspiration from Carbone’s signature Spicy Vodka Sauce, the creamer is meant to blend Califia’s almondmilk with notes of tomato, Calabrian chili, vodka and sea salt for a way to incorporate the beloved sauce into your coffee.
While the product itself is not real, the catalyst behind it is. It plays into the growing interest in savory flavors and unexpected twists on grocery staples — and it’s a playful nod to the fact that the original sauce always calls for cream.
In reality, the brands will be teaming up for a social giveaway to highlight how a touch of cream like Califia Farms Heavy Cream can elevate Carbone’s Spicy Vodka Sauce.
Is it real? The giveaway is real, but the product is an impasta.
This one’s no joke — really. Last year, Dunkin’ gave away a million free coffees on April Fools’ Day and people thought it was a joke.
It wasn’t a joke, and Dunkin’ isn’t joking around this year, either, going even bolder. On April 1, Dunkin’ is giving away 1,000,001 free hot or iced coffees of any size. Reward members can enter the promo code “STILLNOTAJOKE” on the app to redeem the offer.
Is it real? This is actually brewing. Get yourself a free coffee.
If you’ve been on social media lately, chances you’ve seen AI videos of fruit romance stories — including Fruit Love Island. Welch’s is joining the conversation and “launching” a series of collab packs inspired by the viral social media sensation.
View this post on Instagram Is it real? No, this is berry fake.
OLIPOP and goodwipes recognized that fans might be looking for flushable wipes after drinking their high-fiber functional soda.
For April Fools’ Day, the brands teamed up for some good, clean fun to promote “peachy clean” wipes, flushable wipes with a Peaches & Cream scent.
Is it real? No pop of truth here.
Raising Cane’s is teaming up with Coca-Cola to introduce “Cane’s Sauce Coke,” a first-of-its-kind creation made with the iconic Cane’s Sauce, only on April 1. The idea takes Cane’s signature thick and tangy sauce flavor and turns it into a drink with the crisp profile of a Coca-Cola.
Tthe “Cane’s Sauce Coke” 20 ounce, 2-liter and soda fountain packaging is designed to combine the two unmistakeable brands and feel instantly familiar to customers.
Is it real? Pop-osterous — not real.
Dole Food Company has been delivering fresh fruit for 175 years, and for April Fools’ Day it’s delivering the air around it with DOLE Whiff, a new line of “organic, sustainably captured farm-fresh fruit air, sealed within seconds of harvest for maximum freshness and aromatic payoff.”
The can of DOLE Whiff will release the scent of the company’s Single-Origin Pineapple Reserve Field #7, Row 12. Or, it could be the aroma of their Mango Grove, Banana Farm or Strawberry Field. They noted that the scent was “harvested at sunrise” and “at peak ripeness.”
DOLE Whiff is said to be available for one day only, April 1, in the produce, beverage and air freshener sections of supermarkets. Available in Pineapple Harvest, Mango Sunrise, Banana Aura and Strawberry Dream scents, just crack open the can and inhale.
Is it real? There’s no scent of reality.
It may be hard to believe, but Crumbl’s April Fools’ offering is very real. On April Fools only, the beloved cookie brand is bringing back one of their most controversial flavors with the Almost Everything Bagel Sandwich Cookie.
The cookie sandwich consists of two thin, buttery cookies coated in an almost everything bagel blend, with a light cream cheese filling. For those wondering why it’s almost everything, reviewers who tried it back in 2022 noted that it didn’t feature garlic or onion.
Is it real? It’s no half-baked situation — it’s actually happening.
Vita Coco is asking fans to pick a side of the often-asked question: Is it pronounced “VEE-ta Coco” or “VEY-ta Coco.”
Consumers don’t have to agree with Vita Coco’s “rebrand.” For April Fools’ Day, the brand will have two limited-edition tetra pack designs that read either VEYETA COCO or VEETA COCO.
Is it real? While the debate is very real, the products are not.
Accelerator Active Energy drinks is having their April Fools moment by “launching” the world’s first Energy Sourdough Bread, complete with “200mg natural caffeine” and “good sourdough energy.” The campaign taps into the surge of innovation of energy drinks during an era when everyone is loving sourdough.
Is it real? It’s a loaf of lies.
On April 1st only, DUDE Wipes is introducing the first-ever limited-edition whitening and tightening Butt Massk. The mask — designed specifically for “your third eye” — is a targeted hydrogel patch.
“You wouldn’t leave your face high and dry, so why neglect the hardest working ASSet? Just pop this soothing gel disc directly onto the target zone for 15 minutes while you doomscroll on the throne,” the website says.
Is it real? Wipe it from your memory — it’s not real.
Non-alcoholic beer brand Mash Gang is going all out for April Fools with a Mash Gang Office Keg, a keg that will upgrade the workplace water cooler into a tap.
The Mash Gang Office Keg replaces the standard water jug with non-alcoholic beers, dispensed ice cold and on demand. “Turn every awkward office pause into a moment worth showing up for,” the website says. “No more sad hydration. No more pretending sparkling water is exciting. This is workplace culture. Upgraded.”
Reviews say that “HR hasn’t approved it, which is how you know it’s good”
Is it real? Don’t tap into it. It’s a prank.
Boka is known for their odd toothpaste flavors, and on April 1st, the brand is “launching” Mushroom Coffee-flavored Toothpaste in partnership with functional supplement brand FreshCap.
While they might not be actually selling coffee-flavored toothpaste, they are giving away a $250 grand prize and 25 Wellness Bundles that include Boka’s new Sensitive Toothpaste and FreshCap’s actual Mushroom Coffee.
And everyone who enters will receive a discount code for both Boka and FreshCap subscription orders — for real.
Is it real? Don’t brush it off completely. The flavor is fake, but the partnered giveaway is real.
Literie is going back to their gag-candle roots for April Fools’ Day, partnering with Dyper for a “Changing Diapers” candle, with scent notes of “old milk and mushy peas.”
When customers go to purchase online, they’ll get 50% off their purchase while supporting the National National Diaper Bank Network. With each purchase, Dyper will donate diaper sleeves and Literie will donate a portion of proceeds.
Is it real? This candle stinks of lies — but the donations are very real.
The largest producer of frozen pierogies in the country announced they’re dipping into the jewelry business with Mrs. T’s Pierogy Diamond Collection. The world-first the pierogy-cut diamond is inspired by the shape of Mrs. T’s iconic pierogies. The collection includes a ring, a necklace, a bracelet and earrings.
“If your man doesn’t propose with one of these rings is he really your soulmate?” a fan commented on the brand’s Instagram post.
Is it real? It’s stone-cold fake.
Hooters has more than just pranks to celebrate this April Fools’ Day — it’s their incorporation anniversary, and to celebrate, they have a deal that’s no joke.
On April 1 only, guests can snag 10 wings for just $3.99. There will be in-restaurant deal specials, too, that vary by location.
Is it real? There’s no winging it — it’s real.
