Posted byEmilyJune 19, 2016Posted inHealth, Recipes
I’ve been finding lately that plain water is not doing it when I’ve been working in the sun or exercising. I tried half a dozen electrolyte powders out there, and settled on DripDrop as one that seems to do the job and tastes good enough that I’ll actually drink it (though I use a packet in about 3/4 liter of water, not 1 cup as recommended). Nuun is not too bad, either.
The problem is, this stuff is like drinking dollar bills – $1.25 per serving.
So after a bunch of research and calculations, here’s my homemade equivalent. It tastes vaguely lemony and feels like its doing its job. It’s so cheap, I almost can’t calculate the price per serving maybe 5-10 cents? You may have most of the ingredients in your kitchen already. If not, home brewing stores are your friend.
Makes enough to enrich 6 liters of water. Use 1/2 tsp. of this powder in a 12-oz glass of water, or 3/4-1 tsp. in a liter bottle.
- 2 Tbl sugar (carbohydrates)
- 3/4 tsp salt(sodium chloride)
- 1/4 tsp NuSalt (potassium chloride)
- 1/2 tsp Epsom salts* (magnesium sulfate)
- 1/2 tsp brewer’s gypsum (calcium sulfate)– optional; available at homebrew store. Bonus: you can use it to make tofu from soy milk.
- 1 tsp citric acid or Fruit Fresh (available where they sell canning supplies). This is for flavor and balances the high pH of the gypsum; Fruit Fresh also adds some vitamin C
I haven’t tried it yet, but I was thinking of adding some pulverized freeze-dried fruit for flavor.
Shake everything up in a jar – or better yet, whir it in a perfectly dry blender for a few pulses to distribute everything evenly and to grind some of the larger particles finer. Store in a jar with a tight lid. Use 1/2 tsp. per 12 oz glass of water – stir to dissolve well.
Nutritional information:
Homemade | DripDrop | Nuun | |
Sodium | 288mg | 305 | 350 |
Potassium | 110mg | 175mg | 101mg |
Sugar | 4g | 9g | 0g |
Magnesium | 39mg | 40mg | 25mg |
Calcium | 82mg | 13mg | |
Zinc | 2mg | ||
Vit C | 117mg (if made with FruitFresh) | 38mg |
I also figured out that if I were out and about, a glass of water with a scant 1/8tsp (just a pinch or two) of salt, a packet of sugar (1tsp), and 2 oz of orange juice gets you the first three nutrients on the list.
* Yes, Epsom salts can have a laxative effect. However, the laxative dose is 2-4 tsp in 1 cup of water; this recipe calls for 1/2 tsp in six LITERS of water. Unless you are unusually sensitive, you should be fine.
Published by Emily
I'm an instructional designer and gardener based in Ann Arbor, Michigan. Free moments find me in my garden or the forest, hugging trees and all that jazz.View more posts
Do you have a “bulk” recipe figured out so I can make 6 oz or so at a time and scoop out 1/2 t at a time?
Reply
You might try a service like https://doublemyrecipe.com/
See AlsoGet Rid Of Flies NaturallyReply
I mixed up a batch and now everyone wants some! It is very refreshing, tastes better than plain water, and I feel less ‘washed-out’ from the heat in Texas. Thanks so much!
Reply
Thanks for that!
Since you did calcs, etc, Do you have that recipe in grams?
Would be great to make up a bunch of it and would be more exact that way! Thanks much!
LizziReply
This is a great recipe! I got tired of all the additives in the store brands. I’m glad you posted this!
Reply
This is really insightful, thank you!
I’ve been putting together my own drink mix as well but with a few different ingredients.
Cream of tartar for the potassium
Stevia sweetener (avoiding the carbs)
True Lemon and True Lime Packets instead of Fruit Fresh
(The packets do not contain the non-caking ingredients as you see in the shaker versions)
I’ve now added the Epsom Salts to my recipe thanks to you!Reply
Does freeze-dried fruit work? I’d really like to know. If so, what about other freeze-dried items?
Reply
For the missing fruit flavours, try adding Jello powder. Start with 5ml per litre (1 teaspoon per quart) and strengthen to suit your taste.
Reply
Do these ingredients offer chloride or is chloride a separate electrolyte to be added? If so can you tellme how much to add to the recipe and which one to buy? Thank you
Reply
The chloride comes in with the salt (sodium chloride). No need to add separately!
Reply
