Do you have a cold or flu? Do you need to rehydrate? Or play a lot of sports and looking for a healthy alternative? Try this Homemade Electrolyte Drink Recipe, it's easy and full of flavor and natural ingredients!


I love my homemade electrolyte drink. It is refreshing and rehydrating. And there is NO artificial junk in it. Why did I decide to make my own electrolyte recipe? My 8 year old son was sick, and I wanted a homemade Pedialyte alternative.

A few years ago he got the stomach flu every few months due to inflammation in his colon (read more about our experience), which we were able to cure with colostrum and probiotic supplementation, gluten-free diet and extra pure cod liver oil.

We have the routine below. BRAT (bananas, rice, applesauce and gluten-free toast) diet and an electrolyte drink, usually Pedialyte. But when I really started looking at the label, I was horrified to find so many harmful ingredients - like artificial colors and flavors. That's when I decided to make my own homemade electrolyte drink.

How to Make Your Own Homemade Electrolyte Drink

I wanted a natural homemade electrolyte drink to increase my son's hydration. Salt is a key ingredient in getting electrolytes into the body. I adapted this simple recipe from Mother Nature Network and loved that I could use ingredients that I use every day from my kitchen. It is an ideal natural cold or stomach flu remedy and natural sports drink for children.

Simply put all the ingredients in a blender and mix well.

What’s In A Typical Electrolyte Drink?

The strawberry flavored Pedialyte one liter container has the following ingredients: Water, Dextrose, Citric Acid, Potassium Citrate, Sodium Chloride, Sodium Citrate, Natural Flavor, Sucralose, Acesulfame Potassium, Zinc Gluconate, Red 40 and Blue 1.


We tried the unflavored version and it was so awful my son wouldn't even drink it. Plus, I was bothered that it still contained chemicals that I didn't want my son to ingest. And sports drinks like Gatorade contain other harmful ingredients like brominated vegetable oils along with refined sugars and artificial colors.

What Are Electrolytes and Why Do We Need Them?

In short, electrolytes are basically salts - specifically the ions in salt. According to Discovery Health, “Electrolytes are important because they are what your cells (especially nerves, heart, and muscles) use to maintain tension across cell membranes and to carry electrical impulses (nerve impulses and muscle contractions) across themselves and to other cells.”


Also, when kids get the stomach flu or have diarrhea or vomiting, they lose electrolytes and need to be replenished. The same applies to children (and adults) who exercise a lot - they lose electrolytes (especially sodium and potassium) through sweat.

The most important electrolytes in the body are: sodium, potassium, chloride, calcium, magnesium, bicarbonate, phosphate, and sulfate.

When’s The Best Time To Have An Electrolyte Drink?

An electrolyte drink is a great way to rehydrate your body, so it's great if you have a fever or a stomach ache. It's also great if you exercise or play sports so you don't get dehydrated. If you use this drink as a sports drink, you should take it before you exercise rather than when you are dehydrated and possibly cramping.

Natural Electrolyte Drink

Instead of a store-bought drink, this homemade version contains natural ingredients and no artificial flavors, preservatives or manufactured ingredients. I use raw honey for the natural sweetness and sugar, but if you're vegan you can replace it with maple syrup.

Top Tips To Make This Homemade Electrolyte Drink Recipe

  • Use fresh lemon and orange juice, not store bought boxed juices.
  • Add ice to the blender if you prefer a cold drink.
  • Make a large batch and store the drink in the fridge in mason jars.
I also have recipes for homemade electrolyte popsicles, cold gummy snacks (Made with black cherry and elderberry) and a natural homemade sports drink made with essential oils (For an extra immunity boost), plus tips on how to use essential oils for colds and flu to use flu.

Customize Your Homemade Electrolyte Drink

You can customize the flavor of this homemade electrolyte drink with a few recipe modifications. I like the original recipe as mine but sometimes we like to change it up too. I have included a recipe with essential oils as I am often asked if it is possible to combine essential oils. I only recommend this brand of essential oils as they can be used for consumption.

Grapefruit Twist

  • 1/2 cup fresh orange juice
  • 1/4 cup fresh lemon juice
  • 4 drops grapefruit essential oil (or 1/4 cup grapefruit juice)
  • 2 cups water (filtered or raw coconut water)
  • 2 tbsp raw honey
  • 1/8 tsp Himalayan pink salt
Put all ingredients in a blender and pulse for about 30 seconds. Serve and drink immediately.

Strawberry Lemonade

  • 1/2 cup fresh or frozen strawberries
  • 1/4 cup fresh lemon juice
  • 4 drops lemon essential oil (optional)
  • 2 cups water (filtered or raw coconut water)
  • 2 tbsp raw honey
  • 1/8 tsp Himalayan pink salt
Put all ingredients in a blender and pulse for about 30 seconds, or until strawberries are pureed. Serve and drink immediately.

Lemon Limeade

  • 1/4 cup lime juice
  • 1/4 cup fresh lemon juice
  • 2 cups water (filtered or raw coconut water)
  • 2 tbsp raw honey
  • 1/8 tsp Himalayan pink salt
Put all ingredients in a blender and pulse for about 30 seconds. Serve and drink immediately.

More Cold and Flu Remedies You Might Like

  • Instant Pot Elderberry Syrup
  • Homemade Electrolyte Popsicles (Better than Pedialyte)
  • Cold-buster Elderberry Gummy Snacks
  • Immune-Boosting Turmeric Latte Recipe (Golden Milk Drink)
  • Honey Lemon Ginger Elixir – Natural Cold Remedy.