Name: C4 Energy Drink Recipe
Prep time: 10 min
Total time: 10 min
Yield: 1
Ingredients: 1 cup filtered water or coconut water; 1 tsp citrulline malate; 1 tsp beta-alanine; 1/2 tsp Caffeine Powder; 1 tsp BCAAs; 1 tsp Honey or agave syrup; Fresh lemon juice

You may find that preparing your own energy drink is a good way to have complete control of the kind and volume of (macro)nutrients you ingest based on personal tastes and dietary needs; so, you can take an example from the C4 energy drink which boosts up performance and endurance. This is a basic recipe to make your own quick-fix energy drink that has the overall feel of taking one sip from the original C4.

Table of Contents

How to Make Homemade C4 Energy Drink

For a C4-inspired energy drink recipe, mix purified or coconut water with the juice of citrus fruits for hydration and vitamin C. Add some caffeine from green tea extract or guarana to give you pep along with a few drops of stevia/honey/agave/maybe sugar cane juices. Whisk in just enough sodium salt for essential electrolytes. Place it in a blender and enjoy your own homemade energy smoothies cold.

Ingredients

1 cup filtered water or coconut water: The hydrating base to add back lost fluids and important electrolytes (you can even go for the specific potassium from coconut).
1 teaspoon citrulline malate: Another blood flow supporter exercise performance booster.
1 tsp beta-alanine: To help decrease fatigue and increase muscular endurance.
½ tsp of Caffeine Powder: A good little energy kick to get you through your workout or day.
1 tablespoon BCAAs (branched-chain amino acids): essential for muscle repair and reducing breakdown, particularly important in recovery.
Fresh lemon juice: Lemon gets a boost of vitamin C and flavor in these cookies.
Honey or agave syrup: Start with a teaspoon and taste your way.

Instructions

Mix dry ingredients: Combine citrulline malate, beta-alanine, caffeine powder, and BCAAs in a small bowl.
Prepare the Base: Blend (or shake) the base in a blender or shaker bottle with water/coconut water.
Add Dry Ingredients: Slowly mix in dry ingredients and continue stirring or blending to dissolve powders entirely.
Add Flavors: Squeeze fresh lemon juice and stir or blend in the honey/agave to desired sweetness.
Serve: Either pour into a glass with ice cubes and make it immediately cold or store in the fridge for 30 minutes.

Serving Suggestions

Variations: Try different juices, such as lime or orange, to mix up the citrus notes.
Storage: store the leftover drink in a container and keep it sealed and refrigerated for up to 24 hours or until desired potent.
When to drink it: Drink 30 minutes before the workout for optimal energy-boosting properties.
Customizations: Modify the caffeine and sweeteners based on what your taste buds can be familiar with.

Tips and Variations

Choose Your Base Wisely: This recipe is customizable, and you can choose your base wisely, as water is a more neutral option, or use coconut water for additional electrolytes to make the energy drink taste nice.
Customize Your Flavor: If you don’t like citrus, use other natural flavors such as berry or even pomegranate for something more unique. Basically, you can mash up or put through a sieve to get all the skin and bits out; juiced oranges are great, or herbal tea for extra flavor.
Caffeine Alternatives: If you aren’t into caffeine powder, brew some green tea or a shot of espresso and adjust the volume to your desired level.
Nutrient Boosts: Add a scoop of protein powder for some added pre-workout energy, or add 1/2 tsp turmeric, either ground or fresh, to provide an anti-inflammatory effect.
Make Dietary Changes: Ingredients must change to abide by certain dietary restrictions (see vegan or keto-friendly if necessary).

Preparation Time

10 minutes
Serving size: 1 person

Nutrition Information

Calories: 70
Total Fat: 0g
Saturated Fat: 0g
Cholesterol: 0mg
Sodium: 200mg
Potassium: 50mg
Carbohydrates: 5g

Ingredient Substitutes

Water or Coconut Water: if you like a thick and creamy smoothie, use almond milk instead of water for the juice, but if you want extra digestive power, then sub with 1/4 c. of liquid aloe vera juice.
Citrulline Malate: Replace with watermelon juice: Not only does it naturally contain citrulline, but also gives the drink an awesome fruity taste.
Beta-Alanine: Instead, try niacin (Vitamin B3) for a similarly enhanced energy metabolism and skin/nervous system health.
Caffeine Powder: If you dislike the flavor of caffeine, take a different route, such as brewed black coffee or matcha tea powder, for two other sources of caffeine, which also come with their own unique flavors and benefits to health.
BCAAs: Chia seeds (high in protein, and you get even more omegas) they might make the drink a little thicker
Lemon Juice: This provides vitamin C and a citrus taste, but you can always substitute with lime or grapefruit juice.
Honey or Agave Syrup: Use maple syrup for a more intense, earthy sweetness, or use stevia for those looking to reduce their calorie intake.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I double the recipe to make a larger batch?

This recipe can be easily modified by increasing the amount of ingredients depending on how many servings you need. Keep the leftovers in an airtight container and refrigerate for up to 24 hours.

Is it safe to consume this energy drink daily?

The ingredients in this recipe are generally safe for regular use; however, it is important to consider your individual dietary needs and consult a healthcare professional if you have any concerns about caffeine or other constituents.

Is there a way to make this drink without any of the sweeteners?

However, if you prefer a less sweet drink, simply forego the honey or agave syrup and opt for naturally sweeter elements like coconut water or berry juices to further enhance the taste profile.

How can I do it if I don’t have a blender or shaker bottle?

Simply mix the ingredients together using a fork or whisk if you don’t have a blender. Mix well and make sure all the spices have completely dissolved in there.

Should I refrigerate your drink before serving?

Put into the fridge enhances certain nuances of refreshment, like those you need on a hot day or after an intense workout. But if you are rushed, serving over ice will suffice.

Is it possible to change the caffeine content according to my tolerance?

If you have a low caffeine tolerance, use less caffeine powder or pick something like green tea (which still has around 50 mg of caffeine in it).

Conclusion

This drink is super simple to make, can be totally customized, and, best of all, it contains no added sugars or artificial junk found in commercial energy drinks. If you follow the instructions above and play around with flavors of other ingredients, then it is fair to say that you should be able to make a pre-workout drink that suits your needs very well.

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