How to Make Electrolyte Drink for Diarrhea? | ORS Recipe

When diarrhea strikes, the body loses water and electrolytes faster than plain water can replace. A homemade oral rehydration solution—water, sugar, and salt in measured amounts—restores both. Knowing how to make electrolyte drink for diarrhea with the correct proportions is essential, and the recipe below is backed by official health guidance. Sip small amounts frequently rather than large volumes at once for best results.

Making an Oral Rehydration Solution at Home: The Official Recipe

This three-ingredient recipe from Alberta Health Services produces a safe, balanced rehydration drink that matches what the body needs to absorb fluids. Measure carefully—the ratio of sugar to salt matters.

1. Measure 1 liter (about 4 cups) of clean, safe drinking water. Boiled and then chilled water is the safest option if tap water quality is uncertain.
2. Add 6 level teaspoons of white sugar and 1/2 level teaspoon of salt. Level means the spoon is filled even with the rim, not heaped.
3. Stir until all granules are fully dissolved. No grains should remain visible or feel gritty when you taste a drop.
4. Take small, frequent sips throughout the day rather than drinking large amounts at once. The goal is steady replacement of ongoing fluid losses.

The Quebec health authority offers an alternative version when plain water tastes unpalatable: mix 360 mL of unsweetened ready-to-drink orange juice with 600 mL of boiled, chilled water and 1/2 teaspoon of salt. This version also works as a short-term rehydration option.

What Are the Most Common Mistakes?

Even a small error in proportions can make homemade ORS less effective—or harder to tolerate. Avoid these pitfalls:

• Guessing measurements. Use level teaspoons and an exact liquid volume. Too much sugar can worsen diarrhea by drawing water into the gut, while too much salt is dangerous.
• Using unsafe water. Always start with boiled and chilled water or reliably clean drinking water. Contaminated water defeats the purpose of rehydration.
• Keeping it too long. Homemade ORS contains no preservatives. Refrigerate and discard after 24 hours; at room temperature, toss leftovers after 12 hours.
• Adding unnecessary extras. Citrus juice, honey, baking soda, or salt substitutes are not part of the official recipe and can throw off the electrolyte balance.
• Overcomplicating the process. The goal is a simple sugar-salt-water solution. The finished drink should taste no saltier than tears—if it tastes strongly salty or sweet, the proportions are off and that batch should be discarded.

When Is Homemade ORS Not Enough?

Homemade ORS is a short-term rehydration tool for mild to moderate fluid loss from diarrhea. It does not replace medical care for severe dehydration, blood in stool, persistent vomiting, high fever, or an inability to keep fluids down. Children and older adults may need clinician guidance for proper dosing, since the standard home recipe does not provide age- or weight-specific instructions.

For times when convenience matters more than mixing your own, our best electrolyte drinks for diarrhea list offers ready-to-use alternatives that skip the measuring and stirring entirely.

Store-bought options also have the advantage of precise pediatric dosing and longer shelf stability. The Quebec guidance frames the homemade recipe as a fallback when you cannot get a commercial rehydration solution—so having a backup plan is smart, but commercial ORS remains the preferred first-line option when available. The official Alberta Health Services recipe oral rehydration solution recipe sheet provides the same instructions in a printable format.