Why Make Homemade Hydration Sodas?
When summertime hits, I want cold drinks, but I do not want heavy syrups, artificial colors, or ingredients I cannot pronounce. I wanted something made with real fruit that tastes refreshing while also bringing a little more to the table nutritionally.
This Tropical Fruit Punch Hydration Mixer combines cherries, pineapple, tangerines, coconut water, raw honey, citrus, and mineral salt into a tropical fruit mixer that turns sparkling water into an easy homemade hydration soda.
What Makes This A Hydration Soda?
I call these hydration sodas because I intentionally chose ingredients that contribute fluids, electrolytes, and quick energy.
Coconut water naturally contributes potassium, an electrolyte that plays a role in fluid balance and muscle function.
Redmond Real Salt contributes sodium, which is another electrolyte your body uses to help maintain fluid balance. Mineral salts also contain trace minerals.
Raw, unfiltered honey contributes carbohydrates that provide quick energy and can help support energy needs during hot weather, outdoor activities, or long days outside.
Fruit naturally contributes moisture along with natural sugars that help make these drinks taste refreshing without relying on heavy amounts of added sweeteners.
Why Coconut Water If The Fruit Already Has Liquid?
One thing I learned while testing this recipe is that pineapple, cherries, and tangerines release far more liquid than expected.
The coconut water in this recipe is included primarily for potassium and hydration support rather than because the blender needs extra liquid. In fact, the fruit itself does most of the heavy lifting.
So if your mixer seems thinner than expected, that is completely normal.
Why These Fruits?
Together, these fruits create a tropical fruit punch flavor without artificial flavors or neon coloring.
Fresh fruit works great here, but frozen fruit works too. Using frozen fruit makes this recipe easier year-round, especially when cherries are out of season. If using frozen fruit, allow it to thaw slightly before blending for easier processing.
Pineapple gives this mixer its tropical backbone while contributing vitamin C and natural sweetness.
Cherries bring color, flavor, and antioxidants that help protect cells from oxidative stress.
Tangerines brighten everything up with citrus oils, vitamin C, and fresh flavor that keeps the drink from tasting flat.
Tropical Fruit Punch Hydration Mixer
Equipment
Ingredients
- 1 cup fresh cherries, pitted
- 2 cups pineapple chunks
- 2 tangerines, peeled and segmented
- Zest of 1 tangerine
- Juice of 1 lime (about 2 tablespoons)
- Juice of 1 lime (about 2 tablespoons)
- 2-4 tbsp raw, unfiltered honey, to taste
- 1/4 tsp Redmond Real Salt
- 1/4-1/2 cup coconut water
Instructions
- Add cherries, pineapple, tangerine segments, tangerine zest, honey, salt, and coconut water to a blender.Blend until completely smooth. The fruit provides plenty of moisture on its own, so the coconut water is included for potassium and hydration support rather than additional liquid.Strain through a fine mesh strainer, pressing gently to extract as much liquid as possible.Stir in the lime juice and lemon juice after straining.Transfer to a jar or bottle and refrigerate until chilled.For serving, add 4–6 tablespoons hydration mixer to a glass with ice and top with 8–10 ounces club soda or homemade soda water.
Notes:
- Freeze into cubes for longer storage.Fruit sweetness varies, so adjust honey to taste.