On most (if not all) Renaissance Festival-related forums, we are repeatedly reminded to intersperse our ale and cider consumption with water or some other non-alcoholic beverage. Less frequently, someone chimes in with a reminder that plain water does not replace electrolytes, and that we should also make an effort to consume something salty (a pickle, for example) in order to replace those electrolytes. It has recently occurred to me that there is another way to keep those electrolytes flowing, and you won’t even have to leave the pub to do it.

Enter the Electrolyte Tablet
Targeted mainly toward athletes, several companies have developed electrolyte tablets that one simply adds to the proper amount of water for an instant sports drink, but without the unnecessary sugar. I don’t know about you, but I hate drinking water. I hate the taste (or lack thereof), and I just find it difficult to down. Drop an electrolyte tablet in a bottle of water, and I’ll far exceed that recommended 8 glasses per day.

Customized for the Faire
The electrolyte tablet companies most likely didn’t consider Rennies, but those tablets can easily fit into a Rennie’s ever-growing list of accoutrements. The tablets usually come in slender tubes, approximately 1 inch in diameter and about 6 inches long. Unless you’re going for the minimalist look, chances are you can find somewhere on your person to stash one. Measure out the liquid capacity of a bota bag, and you can easily transform it into a super-hydration bota, and no one will be the wiser. Because the tablets don’t have sugar, the bota liner will be easier to clean later. This feature is actually one of the selling points of Camelbak brand’s version, called Elixir, which is sold specifically for use in Camelbak hydration reservoirs. The tablets are all made to dissolve quickly, so you can easily add one to that water you just poured in your tankard. Some tablets also leave the water looking clear, so the only evidence is in the taste.

But will it cramp my Garb Budget?

• A tube of Camelbak’s Elixir will run you $9.95.
• A 3 pack of Nuun tablet tubes will run you $19.50.
• A 3 pack of Zym tablet tubes will run you $23.49.

Most of the time, you can get a discount for buying larger quantities. The tablets will also keep for a decent amount of time, so you can stockpile them in the off-season.

Other Options
Clif brand has some electrolyte replacement options, including gels, chewy, gummy Bloks, and drink mix powders (in jars and single-serving envelopes). The Bloks aren’t bad. The gels I find to be too heavily flavored. I haven’t tried the powders.
ElectroBlast brand used to have fizz tablets, but now their product is in the form of single serve liquid in sealed pouches.

Not just for Faire
I recently gave a tube of electrolyte tablets to my husband to use at work while he works, where he can only bring plain bottled water onto the warehouse floor. Since the tablets dissolve without leaving a visible trace, he can drop a measure into his water bottle and no one will be the wiser.

Links: Camelbak, Nuun, Zym, ElectroBlast, Clif Shot Drink

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