These drinks emerged onto the market in the mid 1990s with the launch of Two Dogs and Hoopers, both alcoholic lemonade drinks made in Australia. Many, many more have followed as the drinks became increasingly popular.
Some parts of the popular media expressed intense concern that such drinks might appeal to children as they tend to be sweet and brightly coloured. The drinks now carry a warning stating that they are not for consumption by minors (under 18 in the UK). Remarkably, other sweet, alcoholic beverages that had been around for years escaped this madness.