In many parts of the world, it’s about to be hot (or hotter)—and that means every activity will feel like a sporting event.
Forget stadiums and sprints. The walk from your car to your office building (or from the subway stop to the nearest bodega) will make you break into a sweat, and schlepping around with groceries will make you feel like a professional weightlifter.
A photo of me after my last workout:
It’s times like these that I fantasize about throwing back my head and pouring icy-cold Gatorade into my mouth from a half-foot above, letting electric blue rivers stream out the sides of my face (because I am an athletic animal in this fantasy). From that first sip of Fruit Punch after a high school 5K, to gulps of lukewarm Lemon Lime on Saturday mornings in college*, the muted sweetness of Gatorade has always been a sign that help is on its way—that I’m replenishing my body with what’s been stolen from it.
*If I’m being honest with you, I was hungover maybe one time in college. But for the sake of this article, let’s pretend.
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But even though I’d gladly replace 100% of my water intake with Gatorade, or Powerade, or Vitamin Water, I know I must not (imagine the pile-up of expensive plastic bottles). Luckily, it’s easy to recreate the benefits of Gatorade with ingredients you already have at home (essentially, you’ll dilute fruit juice and mix in salt).
In The Sports Nutrition Guidebook, Nancy Clark, registered dietician and Team Nutritionist for the Boston Red Sox (her other clients include Olympic athletes), shares her formula for DIY drinks that offer the same nutritional make-up as commercial bottles. (If we’re getting technical, it’s 50 to 70 calories and 110 milligrams of sodium per 8 ounces/240 milliliters of liquid—or 1/4 teaspoon salt per quart of liquid.)
Keep these guidelines in mind as you create the drink that tastes best to you. And if you are a real-life athlete, Clark advises you test out your formula during a casual workout before relying on it for race day.
Homemade Sports Drink
The sweetest recipe of the group, this drink tastes most like a commercial sports drink. Feel free to experiment with the juice of your preference.
- 1/4 cup (50 grams) sugar
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 cup (60 milliliters) hot water
- 1/4 cup (60 milliliters) fruit juice (like orange, cranberry, or pomegranate)
- 2 tablespoons lemon juice
- 3 1/2 cups (840 milliliters) cold water
Dissolve the sugar and salt in the hot water. Add the juice and remaining water. Chill.
Maple Sports Drink
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Clark recommends this drink for those who have trouble stomaching acidic drinks during or after a workout. Of the three recipes featured here, it’s the most subtle of the bunch.
- 3 3/4 cups (900 milliliters) cold water
- 1/4 cup (60 milliliters) cold maple syrup
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
Mix all ingredients together and shake well.
“Greaterade”
In 2016, the Golden State Warriors replaced Gatorade with “bottles of water sprinkled with Himalayan rock salt”. Chef John of the blog Food Wishes was inspired to create his own homemade version, which he dubbed “Greaterade.”
- 8 cups fresh cold water, divided
- 3 tablespoons honey, maple syrup, or agave syrup
- 1/2 teaspoon fine Himalayan pink salt or sea salt
- 1 pinch cayenne (optional)
- 3/4 cup freshly squeezed orange juice
- 2 lemons, juiced
- 2 limes, juiced
Pour 1 cup of water into a large pot and add honey, salt, and cayenne, if using. Place the pot over low heat and whisk until ingredients have dissolved. Remove from heat, let cool, and add the juices. Pour in the remaining 7 cups of water and chill.
What do you drink to quench your thirst, whether you’re working out or walking around the farmers market? Tell us in the comments below.
