Summer Refreshers for Athletes: 10 Drink Recipes to Help You Stay Hydrated

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The weather is getting hotter, the sun is giving you a tan, and there’s an inevitable need for summer refreshers to keep you hydrated. Especially when you’re staying on top of your workouts.

Working out in hot weather causes you to sweat more profusely, leaving you at risk for dehydration and deficient in many essential nutrients. No need to sweat; we've got you covered. These summer drinks and mocktail recipes are delicious and rich in electrolytes that help support the optimal function of every cell in your body.(1)

Read on for your new favorite post-workout summer drink!

1. Mango Sunset Vibes



Mango juice looks like a sunset in a cup, and there’s nothing better than pairing it with Liquid Labs Mango Margarita electrolytes knowing you’re adding precious nutrients into your body. Squeeze in some lime for a zesty touch, and sprinkle some edible flowers or rosemary to elevate it further.

Ingredients

  • 1/2 cup fresh mango juice
  • 1/4 cup fresh mango, cubed
  • 1 tbsp freshly squeezed lime
  • 1 pouch Liquid Labs Mango Margarita electrolytes
  • 1 1/2 cups filtered water
  • 1 handful of ice
  • 1/4 lime, sliced
  • 2-3 edible flower petals or rosemary (optional)

Directions

  1. Place a handful of ice into a glass and pour in 1/4 cup of mango juice and 1 1/2 cups of filtered water.
  2. Add cubed mango into the glass and let them fall to the bottom, mingling with the ice cubes.
  3. Add freshly squeezed lime into the glass and one pouch of Liquid Labs Mango Margarita electrolytes and stir well.
  4. Toss lime slices into your refresher and garnish with a few beautiful edible flowers.
  5. Drink up!

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2. Watermelon Mint Summer Cooler



Watermelon is naturally sweet, but it’s also almost entirely made of water.(2) It’s the perfect fruit to satisfy your sugar cravings while keeping you hydrated. If you want to add a refreshing and tropical twist, mix your watermelon with the Tropical Fruit flavored electrolytes from Liquid Labs, add a few fresh mint leaves, and voilà, you got yourself the perfect summer refresher.

Ingredients

  • 1/4 cup watermelon juice
  • 1 tsp mint extract
  • 1 pouch Liquid Labs Tropical Fruit electrolytes
  • 1 1/2 cups filtered water
  • 1 handful of ice
  • 3-5 fresh mint leaves
  • 1 triangle-sliced watermelon for garnishing

Directions

  1. Place a handful of ice into a glass and pour 1/4 cup of watermelon juice and 1 1/2 cups of filtered water.
  2. Add mint extract and Liquid Labs Tropical Fruit electrolytes and stir well.
  3. Top off with a few fresh mint leaves and add a chunky watermelon slice to the rim of your glass.
  4. Enjoy!

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3. Blueberry Lemonade



Blueberries are one of the highest antioxidant-rich foods in the world and are the perfect fruity ingredient you need in your refreshing summer lemonade.(3) After an intense workout, you’ll need to replenish your electrolytes, and that’s where Liquid Labs' Lemon-Lime flavor comes in as the perfect addition. If you want to make it extra special, add a thyme sprig and notice the incredible flavor it brings to your lemonade. Stay hydrated and drink up!

Ingredients

  • 1/2 cup fresh blueberry juice
  • 1 handful of fresh blueberries
  • ½ cup fresh lemon juice
  • 1/4 lemon, sliced thinly
  • 1 pouch Liquid Labs Lemon-Lime electrolytes
  • 1 cup filtered water
  • 1 handful of ice
  • Sprig of thyme (optional)

Directions

  1. Place a handful of ice into a glass then pour in a 1/2 cup of blueberry juice, 1/2 a cup of lemon juice, and 1 cup of filtered water.
  2. Add a pouch of Liquid Labs Lemon-Lime electrolytes and stir well with a spoon (or a cocktail stirrer).
  3. Toss fresh blueberries and lemon slices into the glass, letting them fall around the ice cubes.
  4. Garnish with a thyme sprig if you want a herbal note.
  5. Enjoy!

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4. Passion Fruit Mango Mockarita

Passionfruit-Mango-Mockarita_Summer-Refreshers

Passion fruit and mango go together like PB and J. The sweetness of mango pairs perfectly with the spicy and sour passion fruit, satisfying all of your taste buds. The Liquid Labs Mango Margarita electrolytes from Force Factor is an incredibly energizing powder blend containing several micronutrients to help you stay hydrated, focused, and fueled for your sweatiest workouts.

Ingredients

  • 1/2 cup passion fruit concentrate plus ½ passion fruit, seeds scooped out
  • 1 pouch Liquid Labs Mango Margarita electrolytes
  • 1 1/2 cup filtered water
  • 1 handful of ice
  • A couple of thinly sliced mango ribbons or mango slices for decorating
  • Optional: edible flowers

Directions

  1. Place a handful of ice into a glass and pour a 1/2 cup of passion fruit concentrate and 1 1/2 cups of filtered water.
  2. Add a pouch of Liquid Labs Mango Margarita electrolytes and stir well with a spoon.
  3. Add passion fruit seeds into the glass, letting them fall around the ice cubes.
  4. Garnish with mango ribbons and edible flowers.
  5. Enjoy!

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5. Rosemary Peach & Lime Elixir

Rosemary-Peach-Lime-Elixer_Summer-Refreshers

Peaches are juicy and full of sweetness, which is why citrus fruits like lime make their perfect counterpart. Together, they make for a refreshing summer drink that pairs nicely with the Lemon-Lime electrolyte flavor from Liquid Labs. A touch of rosemary gives this drink a unique taste, reminding you of a sunset summer cocktail. Get ready to feel hydrated.

Ingredients

  • 1/2 cup fresh peach juice
  • 1/3 cup lime juice
  • 1 fresh rosemary sprig
  • 1/2 a peach, carved into balls and frozen
  • 1 pouch Liquid Labs Lemon-Lime electrolytes
  • 1 cup sparkling water
  • 1 handful of ice

Directions

  1. Place a handful of ice into a glass and add a 1/2 cup of peach juice, 1/3 cup of lime juice, and 1 cup of sparkling water.
  2. Add a pouch of Liquid Labs Lemon-Lime electrolytes and stir well with a spoon.
  3. Add frozen peach balls, letting them fall around the ice cubes.
  4. Garnish with a sprig of fresh rosemary.
  5. Enjoy!

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6. Tropical Coconut Refresh

Tropical-Coconut-Refresh_Summer-Refreshers

There’s nothing better than coconut water after a tough workout. Naturally rich in electrolytes, coconut water makes the perfect base for a refreshing summer drink.(4) Take it a step further and add one pouch of Liquid Labs Tropical Fruit electrolytes from Force Factor and let the variety of vitamins and minerals do their magic.

Ingredients

  • 1 cup coconut water
  • 1 cup filtered water
  • 1 handful of ice
  • 1 pouch Liquid Labs Tropical Fruit electrolytes
  • Coconut rind, coconut flakes, or slices of pineapple for decoration

Directions

  1. Place a handful of ice into a glass and pour 1 cup of coconut water and 1 cup of filtered water.
  2. Add a pouch of Liquid Labs Tropical Fruit electrolytes and stir well with a spoon.
  3. Garnish with a big coconut rind and edible flowers.
  4. Drink up!

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7. Pineapple Mint Lemonade

Pineapple-Mint-Lemonade_Summer-Refreshers

Pineapple is known for its sweet and juicy flavor, and coupled with summer’s favorite drink, lemonade, it makes the perfect combination. Just a hit of mint gives it a more refreshing taste, and the Lemon-Lime electrolytes from Liquid Labs helps you rehydrate, refresh, and recharge, all in one glass!

Ingredients

  • 1/2 cup fresh pineapple juice and 1 pineapple ring for decoration
  • 1/3 cup lemon juice
  • A couple of fresh mint leaves
  • 1 pouch Liquid Labs Lemon-Lime electrolytes
  • 1 1/2 cups filtered Water
  • 1 handful of ice
  • Optional: 1 tsp Tajin

Directions

  1. Place a handful of ice into a glass and add a 1/2 cup of pineapple juice, 1/3 cup of lemon juice, and 1 1/2 cups of filtered water.
  2. Stir in a pouch of Liquid Labs Lemon-Lime electrolytes and with a spoon.
  3. Toss fresh mint leaves and garnish with a large pineapple ring on the glass rim.
  4. For extra spice, sprinkle some Tajin on top of the pineapple ring.
  5. Have fun!

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8. Mixed Berry Punch

Mixed-Berry-Punch_Summer-Refreshers

What’s better than one type of berries? Three types of berries in one refreshing drink! Rich in antioxidants, berries come bearing a variety of vitamins and minerals to the table.(5) Liquid Labs Fruit Punch electrolytes are the ultimate companion for fresh mixed berries, letting your tastebuds go on a flavor vacation!

Ingredients

  • 1/2 cup fresh mixed berry juice (you can make your own or use store-bought)
  • Handful of mixed berries (blueberries/raspberries/blackberries)
  • 1 pouch Liquid Labs Fruit Punch electrolytes
  • 1 1/2 cups filtered water
  • 1 handful of ice
  • A couple of fresh mint leaves

Directions

  1. Place a handful of ice into a glass and pour ½ cup of mixed berry juice and 1 cup of filtered water.
  2. Add a pouch of Liquid Labs Fruit Punch electrolytes and stir well with a spoon.
  3. Add a handful of berries, letting them fall around the ice cubes.
  4. Garnish with fresh mint leaves.
  5. Drink up!

BOGO LIQUID LABS

9. Lemon Basil Limeade

Lemon-Basil-Limeade_Summer-Refreshers

Lemon and basil sound like the sorbet pairing of dreams. And now you can have it in a refreshing summer drink! Add one pouch of Liquid Labs Lemon-Lime electrolytes and stay energized and hydrated on the go!

Ingredients

  • 1/2 cup lemon juice
  • 1/3 cup lime juice
  • 1 pouch of Liquid Labs Lemon-Lime electrolytes
  • 1 cup sparkling water
  • 1 handful of ice
  • A few slices of both lemon and lime
  • A few basil leaves

Directions

  1. Place a handful of ice into a glass and pour a 1/2 cup of lemon juice, 1/3 cup of lime juice, and 1 cup of sparkling water.
  2. Add a pouch of Liquid Labs Lemon lime electrolytes and stir well with a spoon.
  3. Toss the lemon and lime slices into your refresher, letting them fall around the ice cubes.
  4. Garnish with fresh basil leaves.
  5. Drink up!

BOGO LIQUID LABS

10. Cherry Thyme Après Swim

Cherry-Thyme-Apres-Swim_Summer-Refreshers

Cherries mark the true beginning of summer, and there is nothing better than tasting those sweet notes in a refreshing, hydrating drink. A pouch of Liquid Labs Fruit Punch electrolytes will help you stay energized, refreshed, and recharged, and a touch of thyme will make you feel like you’re in a 5-star restaurant.

Ingredients

  • 1/2 cup fresh cherry juice and a couple of cherries, sliced in half
  • 1 pouch Liquid Labs Fruit punch electrolytes
  • 1 sprig of fresh thyme
  • 1 1/2 cup filtered water
  • 1 handful of ice

Directions

  1. Place a handful of ice into a glass and pour a 1/2 cup of fresh cherry juice and 1 1/2 cups of filtered water.
  2. Add a pouch of Liquid Labs Fruit Punch electrolytes and stir well with a spoon.
  3. Add the cherry halves, letting them fall around the ice cubes.
  4. Garnish with a fresh thyme sprig.
  5. Enjoy!

BOGO LIQUID LABS

Tips for Making Summer Refreshers

When looking to make your summer refresher drinks, it’s important to be prepared in advance. Here are some tips to get you started:

  1. Gather all of your ingredients before you start assembling, as you'll want your drink to stay cold.
  2. Always use filtered water to ensure you’re getting the best quality.
  3. Wash your fruit before adding it to your drinks.
  4. If you're unable to make your own fruit juice, check that the store-bought option doesn’t include too much added sugar.
  5. Don’t forget the ice.
  6. Have fun with it!

Why Trust Us?

The health and safety of ACTIVE’s readers is of the utmost importance to us. To ensure your well-being when consuming dietary supplements, the ACTIVE.com editorial team prioritizes products that are independently tested by a third party. We’ve consulted with a team of nutritionists and dieticians to ensure the products we feature are of the highest standard. This helps us create the most accurate, authentic review content for our readers.

These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.

References

  1. Electrolytes. (2021) Cleveland Clinic. Retrieved June 16, 2023 from https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diagnostics/21790-electrolytes
  2. Naz A, Butt MS, Sultan MT, Qayyum MM, Niaz RS. Watermelon lycopene and allied health claims. EXCLI J. 2014 Jun 3;13:650-60. PMID: 26417290; PMCID: PMC4464475.
  3. Palma X, Thomas-Valdés S, Cruz G. Acute Consumption of Blueberries and Short-Term Blueberry Supplementation Improve Glucose Management and Insulin Levels in Sedentary Subjects. Nutrients. 2021 Apr 25;13(5):1458. doi: 10.3390/nu13051458. PMID: 33922965; PMCID: PMC8147004.
  4. The Health Benefits of Coconut Water. (2021) Cleveland Clinic. Retrieved June 16, 2023 from https://health.clevelandclinic.org/the-health-benefits-of-coconut-water/
  5. Joseph SV, Edirisinghe I, Burton-Freeman BM. Berries: anti-inflammatory effects in humans. J Agric Food Chem. 2014 May 7;62(18):3886-903. doi: 10.1021/jf4044056. Epub 2014 Mar 17. PMID: 24512603.