by Max Bredow

Homemade Sports Drink

Updated July 7, 2026

5.0 from 1 rating

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DrinksPrep 10 minWait 30 minMakes 64 oz (about 4 servings)

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Homemade Sports Drink

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Pitcher of homemade citrus sports drink with oranges and a jar of Saltivate Orange

This homemade sports drink does what the bottled stuff does, with a fraction of the sugar. Most DIY recipes tell you to add a pinch of salt and hope for the best; this one uses Saltivate Orange, so you know exactly what's in the pitcher: 800mg sodium, 240mg potassium, and 60mg magnesium per serving. Fresh orange juice and a little lemon give it the classic citrus sports drink taste, and a pitcher covers a long run, yard work, or a weekend tournament.

Ingredients

Makes one 64 oz pitcher, four 16 oz servings.

  • 2 stick packs (or 2 scoops) Saltivate Orange
  • 8 cups (1.9 L) cold water
  • 1/2 cup (120 ml) fresh-squeezed orange juice (about 2 oranges)
  • 2 tbsp fresh lemon juice
  • 1 tbsp honey, optional, for a sweeter drink
  • Orange slices and ice, for serving

Instructions

  1. Juice the oranges and lemon.
  2. Pour the water into a large pitcher, add both Saltivate stick packs, and whisk for about 20 seconds until fully dissolved.
  3. Stir in the orange juice, lemon juice, and honey if using.
  4. Chill for 30 minutes or serve straight away over ice with an orange slice in each glass.

Serving suggestions and variations

  • At 2 stick packs per pitcher, each 16 oz glass carries half a serving of electrolytes: 400mg sodium, 120mg potassium, 30mg magnesium. Sweating hard? Use 4 stick packs for a full serving per glass.
  • Swap the orange juice for 1/2 cup (120 ml) pineapple juice and use Saltivate Mango Pineapple stick packs for a tropical version.
  • Keeps 3 days covered in the fridge. Give it a quick stir before pouring, since the citrus can settle.

Per serving: about 80 kcal (estimate).

Ratings and reviews

5.0 from 1 rating

★★★★★

Max ·

Rated 5 out of 5.

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