Today I offer you a drink recipe. Something I've been working on for these active boys of mine. Always in need of a thirst quencher, but periodically bored of plain water, Ben loves to grab a Gatorade. We don't keep them on hand at home, but almost every arena and sports facility he visits sells this energy drink, so he isn't often without.
Like most packaged or pre-made goods, I have a few issues with some of the ingredients. So I made my own. Close in taste but a healthier option, our homemade gatorade has been the requested drink of late. I'm pleased as punch that's it's been a success and the kids are pleased with the variety of options we now have at home.
Lavender lemonade and Lady Grey iced tea are now in the works as well. Warm weather, we're ready for you!
What are you drinking up these days?
Homemade "Gatorade"
- 1 tsp kosher salt
- 1/2 cup warm water
- 6 cups cold water
- 2 cups orange juice
- 1/2 cup agave
- 2 lemons, juiced
~ Combine the salt and warm water and stir until the salt has dissolved. Add the remaining ingredients and mix well. Chill in the fridge and serve cold.
This looks delicious. Thank you. We use blue nectar agave every morning in our steel cut oats. Have you heard all the controversy surrounding agave lately? I have read in several places that agave is just as bad as corn syrup and people use it now as an alternative because of deceptive marketing. Have you heard this? What are your thoughts?
Posted by: mamaloves | 04/26/2010 at 09:15 AM
If your son loves Gatorade, he'll love Performance from Shaklee and it doesn't contain any of the chemicals and artificial ingredients that you're trying to avoid. The U.S. Ski and Snowboarding team swear by it too. Check it out at www.greennutrition.info.
I too have been reading lately about the agave controversy. So far, I've learned that it's in the same boat as honey. Since it's a little sweeter and thinner, you can use less and thus, get less sugar in your diet. I'd love to hear more though.
Posted by: Candace | 04/27/2010 at 05:10 PM
Canyon Ranch refuses to use Agave anymore as there may be a link to cancer. They are not sure if it source related or the amount consumed. The nutritionists and Drs pulled
it from use and recomend local honey or natural maple syrup as a healthy substitute. We have banned it from our house since March.
Posted by: JAD | 07/22/2012 at 09:23 AM
The point of Gatorade is to replenish electrolytes - but your recipe has way too little salt. Anyone using Gatorade for it's real purpose (endurance sports) would not get what they need.
Posted by: Jon P | 07/22/2012 at 10:15 AM
In response to Jon P. Yes exactly why this is a good recipe for CHILDREN!
Posted by: Julie | 07/22/2012 at 10:35 AM
Thanks, Julie! That was exactly my intention...to keep the salt to a minimum for the kids. :)
Posted by: Jan Scott | 07/22/2012 at 07:26 PM
Maybe a better name for it is just "Some Juice My Kids Like That Bears No Resemblance to Gatorade"
Posted by: Jon P | 07/25/2012 at 04:23 PM