The Best Adrenal Cocktail (Easy & Refreshing)

The adrenal cocktail is easy, nourishing, and delicious! If you’re recovering from chronic stress, or experiencing a stressful season currently, this drink can help to replenish valuable vitamins and minerals that stress depletes. Keep reading for instructions and lots of yummy variations!

Have you heard of an adrenal cocktail? Well, let me introduce you to this yummy, nourishing drink.

Did you know that we actually need more nourishment when we are stressed? I recently learned about this from two ladies I admire so much – Kori and Fallon with the Freely Rooted Podcast.

With three simple ingredients, the adrenal cocktail is crafted to support our bodies through stressful times. It does this by replenishing vitamins and minerals that get used up quickly when our bodies are under stress. This drink focuses primarily on Vitamin C, potassium, and sodium.

Let’s get cooking! Well, mixing, I suppose.

adrenal cocktail recipe: original

As more and more people share adrenal cocktail recipes, I wanted to find the source. It looks like Susan Blackard, NP, ND, PhD or Rejuvenation Health created the original version. Here’s what’s inside:

Ingredients:

• 4 oz. pulp-free orange juice
• 1/4 t. cream of tartar
• 1/4 t. sea salt

Directions: mix and enjoy!

This simple recipe was intentionally crafted to provide a specific amount of each of the nutrients I mentioned above: 60 mg vitamin C, 375mg potassium, and 460mg sodium.

These vitamins and minerals get used up most quickly when you’re under stress – i.e. your adrenals are working overtime. As you may have guessed, this is where the name comes from.

Be sure to check out the yummy variations to this original recipe below!

Why drink an adrenal cocktail?

Next, let’s look at why we would consider drinking an adrenal cocktail. Is it right for you?

Of course, it must be said, I am not your doctor and this is in no way medical advice. I am simply a woman, wife, and mother who enjoys learning about how to support my body through nutrition. And I’m happily sharing what I’ve learned with you.

What I’ve learned is that “adrenal fatigue” is the common diagnosis leading someone to drink an adrenal cocktail. To be honest, this is a hotly debated term. However, I found a very helpful analogy in this episode from the Freely Rooted Podcast.

In this episode, they explain our thyroid as the engine of our body – it’s primary source of energy. The adrenals, then, are described as our backup energy system. So, adrenal fatigue may actually point to an underactive thyroid as a root cause.

Regardless, when our backup system is being taxed, our nutrient stores are quickly used up: especially sugars, vitamins and minerals.

So, as you can see, drinking adrenal cocktails will not heal the root issue. However, I like to include these supportive drinks in this season of life – at home with a toddler and a nursing baby. As you can imagine, there is just no way around a certain level of stress these days.

when to drink your adrenal cocktail

Now for the next question – when should you drink an adrenal cocktail? That is, if you’ve decided it would be helpful in your season of life.

Here’s the basic recommendation: Drink an adrenal cocktail between meals, when energy is the lowest. This usually is around 10am and 2pm.

Some also recommend easing into this. Starting with one in the afternoon for a while, then adding in a morning drink. As you can imagine, more adrenal cocktails would be recommended with higher levels of stress.

Though I used to think my stress-induced sugar cravings were a negative thing, I see it differently now. Instead, I look at those timely cravings as my body saying, “Hey! I’m stressed! I could use a little help right now!”

And so, I mix up an adrenal cocktail. Then, I drink up to help my body be resilient while stressed. (While also trying to decrease my stressors, of course.)

Why these specific ingredients?

orange juice

The first ingredient in an adrenal cocktail is traditionally fresh-squeezed or pulp-free orange juice. The purpose of the orange juice is to provide 60mg of whole food vitamin C. According to the Root Cause Protocol (a serious proponent of mineral balance in the body), vitamin C allows the following minerals to reach the liver and replenish the adrenals.

As you’ll see in the variations below, you can use a vitamin C supplement powder or another juice in place of orange juice.

cream of tartar

This second ingredient acts as an excellent potassium source. Apparently, when our adrenals are pumping and we’re burning through mineral stores, potassium is one of the first to go.

Again, this doesn’t have to come from cream of tartar. Coconut milk, coconut water, or coconut cream are other excellent (and delicious) sources. Another substitute is a potassium bicarbonate supplement – although, you won’t see this in the recipes below because I have not personally tried it.

sea salt

The final ingredient is sea salt, which provides the necessary amount of sodium to replenish our bodies in times of stress. Like potassium, sodium is quickly depleted when our adrenals are taxed.

Additionally, sea salt acts as an excellent source of numerous trace minerals. We personally use Jacobsen Salt Co. sea salt because we really trust the sourcing. However, Redmond’s Real Salt is another popular option.

keep it interesting: yummy variations

Although I find the original adrenal cocktail to be delicious, it can get monotonous drinking the same thing day in and day out. Here are some yummy variations to keep it interesting!

With each variation, the goal is still to get at least 375mg potassium, 460mg sodium, and 60mg whole food vitamin C. Let’s start with my favorite…

1. coconut creamsicle

Firstly, we have some creamy, coconut-y, refreshment. Simply blend, and enjoy.

• 4-6 oz. pulp-free orange juice
• 1/4 C. full-fat coconut milk OR 3 T. coconut cream
• 1/4 t. sea salt (I use Jacobsen Salt Co.)

2. simple coconut water adrenal cocktail

Secondly, this simple twist on the original is as easy as it gets. Simply sub coconut water for cream of tartar.

• 4-6 oz. pulp-free orange juice
• 1/4 C. coconut water
• 1/4 t. sea salt

3. macro-balanced adrenal cocktail

Next, if you’re concerned about spiking your blood sugar, this one’s for you!

• 4-6 oz. pulp-free orange juice
• 2 T. raw organic cream or coconut cream
• 2 T. grass-fed collagen powder
• 1/4 t. sea salt

4. lemon-lime twist

If you’re feeling brave, try this citrus-bursting version of the adrenal cocktail. This recipe is for an average, 2″-diameter lemon or lime. If you have a large fruit, just use one.

• juice of 2 lemons/limes
• 1/2 C. coconut milk or coconut water (may need to blend with coconut milk)
• scant (just under) 1/4 t. sea salt
• raw honey to taste

5. colorful creamsicle

For a fun and colorful variation, try using a different Vitamin C-rich juice . Here’s an example:

• 4 oz. Antioxidant Power 100% Juice (Simply Nature brand from Aldi)
• 3 T. coconut cream or 1/4 C. full-fat coconut milk
• 1/4 t. sea salt

6. juice-free adrenal cocktail

Next, if you’d like to skip the juice altogether, experiment with something like this:

• 6 oz coconut water
• 60mg unflavored whole food vitamin C powder
• scant 1/4 t. sea salt
• squeeze of lemon or lime and/or honey to taste

7. Time crunch adrenal cocktail

Lastly, if you’re short on time or ingredients, this quick drink is for you! The higher amount of OJ will provide a good amount of potassium.

• 6 oz. OJ
• 1/4 t. salt

What is your favorite variation? Let me know in the comments below!

You may also like:

How To Get Your Taste Back After Sinus Infection

Chamomile Natural Remedy For Stress

Dandelion Natural Remedy