3 Recipes for Homemade Energy Drinks

Work, workouts, kids, cooking, shopping, carpool, and everything else that goes into your daily routine can zap your energy in a major way. But have no fear—here are some homemade energy drinks to the rescue! Mixing your own natural energy drinks puts you in control of what goes into your body—perking your day up without added sugar or excessive caffeine.

So, before you grab a drink out of the convenience store's cooler, check out these easy DIY alternatives. Bonus: the pick-you-up ingredients are good for you, too.

Workout Wonder

The energy burst that sugary sports drinks supply tend to burn out quickly. But you can keep your workout working for you with this natural option that's also rich in vitamins, minerals, and healing antioxidants.

Grab these ingredients to get started:

• ½ cup of yerba mate. This South American drink has stimulant and antioxidant properties, according to a research review published in the Journal of Food Science.
• 1 banana. Harvard Medical School suggests this fruit is on par with sports drinks when it comes to restoring carbs and potassium.
• 1 apple, peeled and chopped. The phytonutrients in apples have health benefits galore. Plus, the natural glucose provides energy, and the fiber and antioxidants keep you going, according to Cornell University.

Add the already-brewed yerba mate, the banana, and the chopped apple in a blender. Blend the mix, adding in crushed ice if desired for texture.

Green Drink

Chances are, you've heard about the many benefits of "green drinks." Like the name says, these are veggie-based drinks that include plenty of greens. Skip the powdered and prepackaged beverages and experiment with this green-lover's recipe instead.

Here's what you need to whip this up:

• 2 cups of spinach. This veggie is rich in vitamin C, calcium, and magnesium.
• 1 avocado. This healthy green fruit is potassium-rich, has plenty of fiber to sustain your busy day, and is packed with antioxidants, explains Consumer Reports.
• 1 peeled cucumber. Cukes add water to the mix, helping you to hydrate.
• Green tea. While not technically a "green," green tea contains just enough energy-boosting caffeine to keep you going, along with health-boosting antioxidants, according to the Cleveland Clinic.
• 1 lime, juiced. The fresh scent of lime is a sensory pick-you-up.
  

Mix the veggies in a blender, adding in the tea to create a smoother smoothie. Complete the drink with a squeeze of lime juice!

Breakfast Break

Start your mornings off right with this energy-boosting smoothie drink. If a cup of coffee isn't your morning favorite, opt for this healthy jolt that even comes with chocolate!

You'll need:

• 2 oz. of dark chocolate. Dark chocolate has flavanols that improve blood flow and antioxidants, according to the Cleveland Clinic.
• 1 banana.
• 1 tsp. of peanut butter.
• 1 to 2 cups of no- or low-fat nut milk.

Mix the ingredients in a blender until you reach your desired consistency. Easy and delicious!

Homemade energy drinks do more than just keep you hydrated. These bountiful beverages pick you up and help keep you going. And, above all, they taste good!

What's your favorite energy-boosting drink? Share your pick with us on Twitter!

Image Sources: Pexels | Pexels | Pixabay

The views and opinions expressed in any guest post featured on our site are those of the guest author and do not necessarily reflect the opinions and views of Tom's of Maine.