June 27, 2025

Healthy Gatorade Alternatives

Healthy Gatorade Alternatives

Category

Drinks

Servings

1

Prep Time

5 minutes

Let’s break it down. One bottle of Gatorade Fit or other popular sports drink might look harmless, but it often contains artificial ingredients, artificial colors, and too much sugar. That’s a lot to take in, especially when you're trying to stay healthy. These artificial additives can spike your blood sugar, increase your calorie intake, and may offer minimal health benefits in return. 

Our homemade sports drink skips all that. It’s low in sugar, made with natural flavor, and still packed with essential minerals. Plus, you can mix it up with fresh ingredients you already have in the kitchen. Whether you're looking to avoid citric acid, reduce your sugar content, or cut down on artificial sweeteners, this electrolyte drink is your new go-to. 

Author:
True Citrus

Ingredients

  • 1

    packet Crystallized Citrus or True Lemon Energy (for a caffeine boost from green tea extract)

  • 1 c

    Coconut water (aka nature's Gatorade)

  • 1 c

    cold water

  • Small pinch of mineral salt (for electrolyte replacement) 

  • Ice 

  • 1 1/2 tsp

    lemon juice or orange juice (for extra flavor)

  • Optional:  

    • Splash of fruit juice like tart cherry or pineapple for flavor variety 
    • A few slices of fresh strawberries or other fresh fruit 


Directions

  1. Add your coconut water, water, True Citrus, and lemon juice or orange juice to a shaker or jar.
  2. Toss in a pinch of mineral salt to help restore electrolyte balance and prevent muscle cramps.
  3. Shake or stir well until the powder dissolves.
  4. Pour into a glass over ice and sip your way to cleaner hydration.

Recipe Notes

Customization Ideas 

There’s no one-size-fits-all when it comes to homemade Gatorade alternatives. Here’s how to tailor it to your taste and your training: 

Want more citrus? Add an extra packet of True Lemon or throw in some orange juice. 

Post-workout recovery? Add a bit more coconut water for those extra electrolytes. 

Switch up the flavor? Try True Grapefruit, True Lime, or even mix two packets together. 

Bonus Tip: Make a Batch 

Mix up a few servings and store them in an airtight container in the fridge. You’ll have your healthy alternative to Gatorade ready to grab after your next sweat session. It also makes a great water mocktail with a citrus twist—because who says electrolyte drinks can’t be fun too? 

The Bottom Line 

In recent years, more people are paying attention to what's in their sports drinks. And honestly, it's about time. Between the high sugar content, the artificial flavors, and the questionable colorings, most traditional sports drinks do more harm than good.   

True Citrus helps you hydrate smarter. You get the flavor of real citrus, the support of essential electrolytes, and none of the junk. It’s the healthy alternative that actually tastes good, with real ingredients your body knows what to do with.  

From the gym to the trail to your kitchen counter, this is hydration the True way—clean, simple, and delicious.