The adrenal cocktail trend has gone viral for good reason - it helps nourish your adrenals, replenish minerals, and hydrate your body. My upgraded Adrenal Cocktail Recipe takes it a step further with pomegranate, coconut water, and vitamin C for deeper antioxidant and electrolyte support that actually works.
If you've seen the cortisol cocktail trend (aka adrenal cocktail) all over social media, you're not alone. These mineral-rich drinks have taken off for their supposed ability to "balance cortisol." As a Certified Holistic Nutrition Specialist, I wanted to re-create a version that truly makes sense for whole-body wellness.
My adrenal cocktail recipe upgrades the viral recipe with pomegranate juice, coconut water, trace minerals, sea salt, and pure vitamin C powder for deeper hydration and antioxidant power.
If you love functional juices, you might also enjoy my Sweet Potato Juice for Weight Loss, Colon Cleanse Juice for Gut Health, or Anti-Inflammatory Juice Shots - they all support the body's natural detox and stress-response systems. You can also read my post on High-Vibrational Foods to learn which ingredients raise your energy frequency naturally.
Before getting started, I highly recommend taking a moment to set healthy intentions. Narrowing in on your goals with intentions and affirmations helps to clear the path to success. To learn more, check out my article: How to Manifest with Intentions and Affirmations.
⚡ Quick Look: Adrenal Cocktail
- 💦 Main Benefits: Replenishes minerals, supports adrenal health, hydrates deeply, and boosts antioxidant levels
- ⏱️ Prep Time: 5 minutes
- 🍹 Yield: 1 serving
- 🌿 Skill Level: Easy
- 🍓 Main Ingredients: Pomegranate juice, coconut water, fresh lemon juice, Himalayan pink sea salt, vitamin C powder, trace mineral drops
- 🌅 Best Time to Use: Mid-morning or mid-afternoon when energy dips or after stress/exercise
- 🧊 Storage: Best served fresh over ice; liquids can be mixed ahead and chilled up to 24 hours (add vitamin C right before drinking)
- 💡 Pro Tip: Use 100% pure pomegranate juice with no added sugars, and add a pinch of sea salt + trace minerals for true electrolyte support
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Why You'll Love It
- Packed with potassium, vitamin C, and natural antioxidants.
- Supports the adrenal glands and helps to regulate the body during periods of stress.
- Helps replenish minerals lost through stress or exercise.
- Supports hydration and recovery while tasting amazing.
- Easy to make in under 5 minutes.
Adrenal Cocktail Benefits
Your adrenal glands sit on top of your kidneys and play a key role in your body's stress response. They release hormones such as cortisol, aldosterone, and adrenaline, which help regulate blood pressure, metabolism, and energy levels.
When stress becomes ongoing, your adrenals work harder - which can deplete vitamin C and important minerals like sodium, potassium, and magnesium. Research shows the adrenal glands actually store high levels of vitamin C and use it during the production of stress hormones. This makes regular replenishment of these nutrients especially important during busy or stressful times.
An adrenal cocktail isn't a medical treatment, but it can be a simple, functional way to support hydration and electrolyte balance. The combination of vitamin C, potassium, sodium, and trace minerals can help your body recover from stress and improve overall energy.
Ingredients
Pomegranate Juice: Rich in polyphenols and antioxidants that combat oxidative stress. Pomegranate also adds natural potassium. Be sure to get 100% pure without added sugars.
Coconut water: A natural source of electrolytes - potassium, magnesium, and a touch of sodium - that support hydration.
Lemon juice: Adds vitamin C and digestive-supporting acidity. Vitamin C supports adrenal health and helps neutralize free radicals. Be sure to use fresh-squeezed lemon juice vs lemon juice concentrate.
Himalayan pink salt: Provides sodium and trace minerals crucial for fluid balance and nerve function. Check the recipe card to link for my favorite clean brand.
Vitamin C powder: Gives a functional dose (500-1000 mg) of vitamin C - the adrenals store this vitamin to help regulate cortisol during stress.
Trace mineral drops: Adds a spectrum of over 70 minerals that improve hydration and cellular energy.
See the recipe card for the complete ingredient list and quantities.
Substitutions & Variations
- Classic Version: Swap pomegranate for orange juice and add cream of tartar for potassium (traditional flavor).
- Lower-Sugar Version: Use half pomegranate juice and more lemon juice.
- Evening Calm Version: Replace pomegranate with tart cherry juice and add a pinch of magnesium powder.
- Add-Ins: Collagen powder for protein, aloe juice for gut support, or coconut cream for richness.
How to Make an Adrenal Cocktail
Step 1: Pour pomegranate and coconut water into a glass.
Step 2: Add freshly squeezed lemon juice.
Step 3: Add trace mineral drops and pink Himalayan sea salt.
Step 4: Add vitamin C powder.
Step 5: Give it all a good stir.
Step 6: Pour over ice and enjoy!
Hint: Make sure you get 100% pomegranate juice, not from concentrate is best!
Expert Tip
If you're sensitive to vitamin C, start with ¼ teaspoon and increase gradually. 500-1000mg is what I usually like to add.
Adrenal Cocktail FAQs
Not directly. It doesn't suppress cortisol levels, but it can help your body handle stress better. The nutrients support hydration, electrolyte balance, and antioxidant defense - all of which help the body recover from stress-related fatigue.
For most healthy adults, once per day is plenty. Many people enjoy it mid-morning or mid-afternoon when cortisol naturally dips.
Mid-morning is ideal. That's when cortisol levels start to drop, so replenishing electrolytes and antioxidants can help sustain energy and focus.
You can, but it significantly reduces the functional benefit. The adrenals store and use vitamin C during stress hormone production, so adding the powder gives you a dose that juice alone can't provide.
Most healthy adults can enjoy it, but avoid or limit if you:
Have kidney disease or take potassium-sparing meds (high potassium content)
Follow a low-sodium or heart-healthy diet (contains sea salt)
Manage blood sugar issues (contains natural fruit sugars)
Have citrus or pomegranate allergies
Take diuretics, corticosteroids, or blood-pressure medications that affect electrolytes
Always check with your healthcare provider if you have chronic health conditions or are pregnant before drinking it regularly.
More Functional Cocktails
Love this Upgraded Adrenal Cocktail? Let us know how it went in the comments 👇and give it a 🌟 review! Don't forget to subscribe for all the latest healthy recipes! If you love functional recipes, try our latest Garlic Honey Ferment!
Recipe
Upgraded Adrenal Cocktail
Equipment
- Measuring Cups and Spoons
- Glass or shaker bottle
- spoon
- Citrus Juicer
Ingredients
- ½ cup 100% pomegranate juice unsweetened
- ½ cup coconut water preferably unsweetened
- ¼ cup fresh lemon juice
- ⅛ teaspoon sea salt or Himalayan pink salt
- ½ teaspoon vitamin C powder ascorbic acid or sodium ascorbate ≈ 500-1000 mg
- 5 drops trace mineral drops
- Ice optional
Instructions
- In a glass or shaker bottle, add pomegranate juice, coconut water, and lemon juice.
- Stir in sea salt and trace mineral drops until fully dissolved.
- Sprinkle in vitamin C powder.
- Pour over ice and enjoy immediately.
Video
Natalie says
This is surprisingly delicious and refreshing. It’s so so easy to make too!