5 Fruity Sports Drinks To Keep You Hydrated

Published July 21, 2014 01:35PM

Five fruity sports drinks to keep you fueled and hydrated during hot-weather workouts.

Clif Shot Electrolyte Hydration Drink Mix

Clif has had tremendous success with its line of bars, and its Electrolyte Hydration Drink Mix, which is 90 percent organic, meets the same quality and efficacy standards. The Cranberry Razz flavor (also available in Lemon Lime-Ade) is light and refreshing, and has a clean finish. In each 16-ounce serving: 80 calories, 20 grams of carbs and 250 milligrams of sodium (higher on the electrolyte scale for a sports drink). We like the convenience of the single-stick packets, but the drink is also available in a larger pouch. $1.99 for single-serve stick pack or $19.99 for 20-serving pouch, Clifbar.com

Herbalife H3O Fitness Drink

The orangeade flavor (also available in lemonade) of H3O is for the athlete who prefers sweet over salty flavors of sports drinks—it tastes like SunnyD, only sweeter. Watering down the drink from its suggested one-packet-to-8-ounce concentration makes it more palatable for some. Each serving contains 14 grams of carbs, 60 calories, 100 milligrams each of sodium and potassium, plus antioxidant vitamins A, C and E. The drink is sold in both a canister as well as boxes of convenient single-serving packs. $34.70 for box of 15 single-serve packets, Herbalife.com

Tyr Endurance Sport

While Tyr is best known for its swim gear and tri apparel, the company made its foray into sports nutrition with its Endurance Sport drink. Available in three flavors—Orancia (orange), Limao (lemon-lime) and Punch—the orange flavor was testers’ favorite. It has popsicle-like sweetness and no aftertaste. An 8-ounce bottle contains 45 calories, 90 milligrams of sodium and 12 grams of carbs. Endurance Sport also contains the antioxidant quercetin, caffeine and green tea extract, which helps rev metabolism. $1.49 for 20-ounce bottle, Tyr.com

Gatorade Endurance Formula Powder

The Gatorade formula has been beefed up with carbs and electrolytes to better meet the needs of endurance athletes. With 300 milligrams of sodium and 140 milligrams of potassium per 12-ounce serving, it’s a smart choice for hot days. The taste is classic Gatorade lemon-lime flavor (also available in orange): very sweet with a subtle saltiness. Each serving contains 80 calories and 30 grams of carbs. The advantage of the powder versus the bottled drink: you can dilute it to please your palate. $28.99 for 38-serving container, Gatorade.com

Nuun Energy

Available in three tasty flavors—cherry limeade, wild berry and (staff favorite) lemon-lime—these fizzy electrolyte tablets now have carbohydrates to provide fuel during workouts. The lemon-lime flavor is tangy and refreshing, with a clean finish. Each tablet, which makes a 16-ounce drink, has 8 calories, 3 grams of carbs, 361 milligrams of sodium and 101 milligrams of potassium. They’re also loaded with B vitamins and caffeine to give you an extra boost. $6.50 for 10-tablet tube, Nuun.com