Why I Even Bothered With This Stuff
You know, those fancy sports drinks? They’re everywhere. And yeah, sometimes you really feel like you need that boost, especially after a good sweat, or when you’ve been out in the sun all day. But man, I took a look at the labels on some of them a while back, and then I peeked at the price tag. Wowza. It felt like you needed a small loan to keep a stock of them.
Plus, half the ingredients sounded like they came straight out of a chemistry lab, not something you’d normally put in your body. I just thought to myself, there’s gotta be a simpler way, right? Something I can whip up in my own kitchen without needing a science degree or breaking the bank. So, I decided to try and figure out my own mix.
What I Usually Chuck In My Mix
So, after a bit of tinkering and tasting – and a few batches that were, let’s say, memorable for the wrong reasons – I landed on a few basic things. Nothing fancy, mind you. Stuff you probably already have hanging around, or can get super easily without any fuss.
- Water: Well, obviously. Can’t make a drink without it. I just use regular tap water, maybe filtered if I’m feeling particular. About a liter, or roughly four cups, is a good starting point for me.
- Salt: Good old sodium. Just a little bit. I started with plain table salt. Maybe a quarter of a teaspoon, sometimes even less. You gotta be a bit careful with this one, because too much and it’s… well, you know, like gargling seawater. Not pleasant.
- Something for Potassium: This one had me scratching my head for a bit. I knew bananas were good for potassium, but I wasn’t aiming to make a thick smoothie every time. Then I remembered some folks use cream of tartar from the baking aisle. Had that in the cupboard! Just a tiny pinch, like an eighth of a teaspoon, does the trick. Sometimes, if I see it, ‘NoSalt’ (which is potassium chloride) works too.
- A Bit of Sweetness: This is for a little energy, sure, but mostly to make it taste less like just… salty water. A spoonful of honey is what I often use. Or just plain sugar if that’s what I have. Maple syrup can work in a pinch if you like that flavor. The key for me is not too much, just enough to balance it out.
- Flavor and Maybe a Vitamin Kick: Fresh lemon juice is my absolute go-to. I usually squeeze about half a lemon in there. Lime works great too. Sometimes, if I have an orange lying around, a splash of fresh orange juice is nice. It gives it a bit of a refreshing zing, and hey, a little extra vitamin C can’t hurt, right?
That’s pretty much my standard concoction. Every now and then, I might play around, maybe add a tiny, tiny pinch of baking soda (sodium bicarbonate) if I feel like it, but the list above is my usual, reliable lineup.
Putting It All Together – No Special Skills Needed
Honestly, this is the easiest part of the whole deal. I just grab a big water bottle with a good lid, or a large jug if I’m making a bigger batch.
Then I just dump all the bits in. The salt, the sweetener, the lemon juice, and whatever I’m using for potassium. All goes into the bottle or jug.
Then I pour in the water. And then I shake it like there’s no tomorrow if it’s in a bottle, or give it a really good stir with a long spoon if it’s in a jug. You want to make sure everything’s dissolved properly. You don’t want a nasty surprise of undissolved salt at the bottom when you take a swig. Trust me on that one, I’ve learned that lesson the hard way.
And that’s basically it. Seriously. It’s ready to drink. I usually make it right before I head out for a long walk, or if I know I’m going to be out in the garden sweating for hours, especially on a hot day.
My Two Cents on the Whole Thing
Look, I’m not a doctor, and I’m definitely not a nutritionist. This is just what I’ve figured out through my own trial and error, and it works for me. It’s a heck of a lot cheaper than buying all those pre-made drinks, that’s for sure. And I really like knowing exactly what’s gone into it. No weird artificial colors, no sweeteners with names I can’t pronounce, none of that.
The best part, I reckon, is that you can tweak it to your own taste. If it’s a bit too salty for you, use less salt next time. Not quite sweet enough? Add a little more honey or sugar. Want more lemon tang? Squeeze a bit more in. It’s your drink, after all, so you can make it exactly how you like it. Give it a shot yourself; you might be surprised at how simple and effective it can be. Beats paying a small fortune for fancy colored water, in my book anyway.
