Ever since Covid, a few bouts of stomach flu, and a couple of hospitalizations, I’ve become real pals with Gatorade. (And yes, Gatorade IS vegan friendly – see this article.)

Taking inspiration from Hip Hop Smoothies – who use unusual ingredients like Gatorade (Grape and Green Apple) and Red Bull (Regular and Tropical) in their smoothies – I’ve come up with many interesting concoctions of my own.

A favorite is Gatorade Frost Glacier Cherry, well chilled and mixed with the juice of half a lime. It tastes like Cherry Limeade – only not quite as sweet.

One morning, feeling cute, I decided to muddle some cherries in the bottom of my glass and garnish with a slice of lime. I then took my very hydrating drink out in the front yard with me while I watched my dog search for the perfect place to poop.

A neighbor came walking down the street with her own dog, a sour look on her face. I didn’t really think about it, since most of my neighbors have a perpetually sour look on their face.

“Well,” she hissed at me as she passed. “I suppose it’s five o’clock SOMEWHERE!”

To Make An Accidental Cherry Limeade Mocktail

Step One: Start with one small well-chilled bottle of Glacier Cherry Gatorade. Pour into a pretty glass.

Step Two: Add juice of half a lime. It’s important to use a fresh lime – not lime juice from a bottle. This really adds freshness and zip!

Step Three: Muddle a few fresh or frozen cherries in the bottom of the glass. (“Muddle” means to gently smush the cherries a little, to release a little juice. The cherries should retain most of their form – you don’t just want mush.)

Step Four: If desired, garnish with a lime wedge.

Step Five: Take your Cherry Limeade Mocktail out in the yard with you and scandalize your neighbors with your “day drinking”.