How to Make Electrolyte Drink at Home | The Oral Rehydration Recipe

When dehydration hits from a stomach bug, a fever, or a long day in the garden, the fix isn’t a fancy sports drink. The recipe that public-health organizations have used for decades is simpler: sugar, salt, and water in the right balance. Getting that balance right matters — too much salt can make dehydration worse, and incorrect measuring is the most common mistake people make.

What Goes Into a Homemade Electrolyte Drink

The oral rehydration solution recipe used in official guidance calls for just three ingredients you almost certainly have in your kitchen:

• 1 liter of clean, safe drinking water
• 6 level teaspoons of sugar
• 1/2 level teaspoon of salt

Stir until the sugar and salt are fully dissolved. That’s it. The sugar helps your intestines absorb the salt and water, and the salt replaces what your body lost. If you’re unsure about your tap water, boil it and let it cool before mixing — the water quality matters as much as the ingredients.

The sugar version is the standard because it’s easier to measure precisely at home.

How to Give It to Children and Adults

For dehydrated infants and children, Mayo Clinic recommends giving the solution in small, frequent sips — about 1 teaspoon (5 mL) every 1 to 5 minutes, increasing the amount as the child tolerates it. For older children, a watered-down sports drink (1 part sports drink to 1 part water) may be used instead.

Adults can sip more freely, but the same principle applies: small amounts, frequently, rather than chugging a full glass at once. If you’re caring for a baby or young child and the dehydration stems from diarrhea, vomiting, or fever, this recipe is the right call — but if symptoms are severe or persist, seek medical care. This homemade solution is for rehydration, not for treating severe dehydration or replacing emergency treatment. For postpartum recovery specifically, many new mothers deal with heavy fluid loss, and a roundup of products built for that exact need can help you decide between homemade and store-bought options — see the best electrolytes for postpartum here.

Common Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

Three errors cause most problems with homemade electrolyte drinks:

• Adding too much salt. This can worsen dehydration and is dangerous for small children. Always use a level 1/2 teaspoon — not a heaping one.
• Using the wrong sugar measurement. Six level teaspoons is the target. More sugar doesn’t help; it can draw water into the gut and make diarrhea worse.
• Keeping it too long.

When it matters most, the WHO-ready packets of oral rehydration salts are the standard medical product — they’re dissolved in 1 liter of water and remove the guesswork from measuring. If you have access to those packets, they’re the safer bet for children. The homemade version is a reliable backup, not a replacement.