This post may contain affiliate links. Please see our disclosure policy.
This cortisol cocktail recipe uses a strawberry kiwi base for a natural boost without using caffeine or orange juice. It’s a classic mix of vitamin C, potassium, and sodium that adds electrolytes without any powdered mixes.
While most recipes use orange juice, this blend is much less acidic and has less sugar. Strawberries add a big dose of antioxidants, while kiwi adds more vitamin C than an orange.
Use this cortisol cocktail for an afternoon pick-me-up or as a coffee replacement. Switch this up with a homemade electrolyte drink, refreshing ginger drink, or my easy non-alcoholic sangria, which has pomegranate.
Why Make This Recipe
A cortisol cocktail recipe is the perfect way to support energy, hydration, and recovery. Making it at home means you can skip the added sugars, preservatives, and artificial ingredients found in store-bought drinks or powders. Here’s why you’ll love this recipe:
- Easy – Everything is added to one blender and strained for a 5 minute drink!
- No orange juice – This blend of kiwi and strawberries actually contains more vitamin C and is especially helpful if you’re sensitive to citrus or orange juice.
- Less sugar – This combination is also far less sugar than the standard recipes out there!
- Natural electrolytes – A great combination of sodium, vitamin c, potassium, and magnesium.
Table of Contents
Ingredients
Here are a few of the main ingredients with notes on what to purchase. The full list of ingredients can be found at the bottom of this post.
- Strawberries – Fresh or frozen strawberries will work for this recipe! These are a great natural source of vitamin C.
- Kiwi – Get a great deal on these at Costco. These actually contain more vitamin C than oranges and is similar in potassium to a banana.
- Coconut water – This is also a great source of potassium, but if you don’t tolerate it well, you can use filtered water or electrolyte water. I used Trader Joe’s brand.
- Himalayan salt – I recommend using Redmond’s Real Salt which can be found at most grocery stores or online.
- Sparkling water – I love using Topo Chico in mocktails because it’s got more carbonation than Pellegrino or Perrier. You could also use club soda or soda water. My homemade ginger ale would also be perfect for this!
How to Make
Step 1: Add strawberries, kiwis, coconut water, Redmond’s salt, and honey (if using) to a blender.
Step 2: Blend on high for 20 seconds.
Step 3: Strain the mixture through a fine-mesh strainer into a large jar or measuring cup, using a spoon to push the liquid through the strainer to remove the seeds and pulp.
Step 4: Pour into glasses over ice. Top with sparkling water or ginger ale, garnish with slices of strawberry and kiwi, and enjoy!
Recipe Tip
Save the leftover pulp to add to a smoothie for a boost of nutrients! I’d recommend it in my ginger smoothie or anti-inflammatory smoothie.
Make Ahead
Make this homemade adrenal cocktail ahead simply by blending and straining the mixture of coconut water, strawberries, salt, and kiwi. You can save this juice in your fridge and keep it on hand for up to 5 days, or store in the freezer for up to 3 months.
When ready to make, add sparkling water to the juice, or pour it over the frozen cubes and allow them to melt.
Recipe FAQ
Although there’s limited evidence to support adrenal cocktails aiding in adrenal fatigue and reducing stress, it does contain a good amount of vitamin C and minerals that can help restore hydration and essential minerals. Minerals get depleted in times of stress, so this is a great way to replenish.
Adrenal cocktails are great for a boost if you’re feeling sluggish, so they’re perfect to have with a healthy breakfast, like cottage cheese egg bites, or mid-afternoon instead of caffeine. This would also be a great drink for post-workout or migraine attack.
Typically cortisol cocktails are a blend of orange juice and coconut water, sometimes with cream of tartar for potassium. This combo, which has less sugar than the usual recipe, has all the benefits but won’t lead to an energy crash later on in the day.
Refreshing Mocktails
Juices
Homemade Anti-Inflammatory Wellness Shots (Blender or Juicer)
Drinks
Homemade Electrolyte Drink with Coconut Water
Drinks
Easy Homemade Ginger Ale
Love this recipe? Please leave a 5-star 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟 review in the recipe card! Don’t forget to tag me @thedizzycook on Facebook and Instagram, and follow along on Pinterest for more great recipes!
Strawberry Cortisol Cocktail Recipe (no Orange Juice)
Ingredients
- 1 cup fresh strawberries, hulled
- 2 kiwis, peeled and cut into big chunks
- 2 cups coconut water
- 1/4 teaspoon Redmond’s sea salt or pink himalayan sea salt
- Optional: 1 teaspoon honey
- Sparkling water or ginger ale* for topping
- strawberry and kiwi for garnish
Instructions
- Add strawberries, kiwis, coconut water, Redmond’s salt, and honey (if using) to a blender. Blend on high for 20 seconds.
- Strain the mixture through a fine-mesh strainer into a large jar or measuring cup, using a spoon to push the liquid through the strainer to remove the seeds and pulp.
- Pour into glasses over ice. Top with sparkling water or ginger ale, garnish with slices of strawberry and kiwi, and enjoy!
Notes
- My homemade ginger ale recipe would be perfect here to mix in for a refreshing summer mocktail.
- Use the leftover strained fruit in smoothies or freeze into flavored ice cubes.
- Store the juice mixture for up to 5 days in the fridge, or freeze.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Sorry to ask again I just want to make sure-is coconut water migraine friendly? Thanks so much for all your help. 🌸
Hey! Coconut water is considered ok on a migraine diet and I rarely find it to be an issue, but there can always be outliers of personal triggers so you’ll just have to test it out and see.
I’m going to make these drinks for my niece who suffers with migraines alot also my daughter in law. Thank you so much.
my daughter is allergic to kiwi. is there anything you would recommend in exchange? she also cannot tolerate guava or passion fruit., just in case those were the subs 😉 thank you for your help! all three of my daughters get migraines. they are 12, 21 and 24 🙂 I am going to try some of the recipes, thank you for your effort!!
I’m allergic to kiwi what else could I use in its place?
Hey Ellen, I’d use one of these other recipes from the nature’s gatorade. It’s similar. The kiwi here adds a lot of the vitamin c so it’s pretty critical.
Soooo good! Love them as frozen ices too !!
I’m still learning…. And you have been so helpful with the process. Is coconut water migraine friendly?
I’ve seen the use of coconut flakes, shreds etc optimal in your recipes due to migraine symptoms for some . I’m not sure about the coconut water. Thank you.
This drink is the most refreshing and delicious drink perioddd!!! I love it so much I make it weekly. I make enough to last me 3-4 days and stores great in fridge! It will be perfect for hot summe days too!
Thanks a bunch, Irma!
Really refreshing and easy to make. This tasted a lot better than the powders I’ve used before!