Energy drinks are a popular way to replace a morning cup of coffee, perk up in the afternoon, or recharge after a workout. But buying energy drinks regularly can get expensive, and there are many different recipes you can use to make your own drinks at home for a fraction of the price. There are different types of energy drinks you can make, including caffeine-based ones, electrolyte-based sports drinks, and energy-boosting coconut water drinks.
Juice the lemons and limes. Cut the lemons and limes in half. Use a citrus reamer or juicer to remove the juice from all the citrus halves. Transfer the juice to a large plastic or glass drink pitcher.
- Each lemon or lime contains about 2 tablespoons (30 ml) of juice, so you’ll need roughly eight lemons and eight limes to produce a cup (235 ml) each of juice.
- Instead of fresh juice, you can also use drink crystals to flavor the sports drink.
Dissolve the sugar and salt in the citrus juice. Pour the sugar and salt into the pitcher with the freshly squeezed citrus juice. Stir the mixture to combine the ingredients, and set the liquid aside for about 10 minutes. This will give the acid in the juice time to dissolve the sugar and salt.
- Most commercial sports drinks contain about 6 percent carbohydrates, which is why you need this specific quantity of sugar per 2 liters (2.1 quarts) of liquid. This concentration helps your body absorb the water faster.
3Combine the citrus mixture with water. Pour the cold water into the pitcher to dilute the citrus and sugar mixture. You can use any type of water you like, including tap, mineral, spring, or even coconut water. Stir the mixture to combine all the ingredients.
