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I love coffee. I love coffee so much that my kids know not to ask me anything until that first cup is finished.
But somewhere between my morning ritual and my third fourth refill, I realized my energy still wasn’t where it needed to be, and even the best cup of coffee just couldn’t fix it. By 3 p.m., I’d inevitably hit a wall feeling foggy, sluggish and definitely not ready to match the energy of two elementary-aged boys.
So, I decided that in addition to moving my body more and actually eating breakfast (not just my kids’ leftover crusts), I wanted to test a different kind of boost: a hydration reset. I put Verb’s new Daily Hydrate Electrolyte Drink Mix to the test against Liquid I.V., two brands promising better hydration and overall wellness through a daily powder you mix with water.
Could daily electrolytes actually replace my coffee dependency and help me feel less irritable and fatigued? I put the cult favorite and the new kid on the block to the test. Here’s how they stack up.
Electrolytes
Years ago when I first tried electrolyte mixes, I nearly spit it out. It tasted like bottled ocean water masked as “lemon-lime.” Turns out, electrolytes aren’t just about sodium (thank goodness). They’re the minerals your body needs to move water in and out of cells, regulate nerves, and support muscle function.
The main players? Sodium, potassium, chloride, magnesium, calcium, phosphate and bicarbonates. When you strike the right balance, you feel energized, clear-headed, and truly hydrated. Miss the mark, and you’re left fatigued, lethargic and sometimes still thirsty.
When it comes to the core electrolytes, here’s how Verb and Liquid I.V. stack up:
Verb: Verb delivers four electrolytes, including sodium, potassium, magnesium and coconut water powder, a natural source rich in potassium and trace minerals. Verb’s Coconut Water Powder packs a double whammy: it adds a refreshing (and very subtle flavor) along with a totally natural hydration support.
Liquid I.V.: Liquid I.V.’s Hydration Multiplier claims it delivers 3x the electrolytes of the leading sports drink, though I can’t exactly find the exact source in their documentation.
Winner: Verb. Offers a more varied balance of electrolytes instead of isolated sodium. I especially like that one of the main ingredients is Coconut Water Powder, a natural source of essential minerals and hydration support.
Sugar
Beyond the overly salty taste, I could never get behind electrolyte mixes in the past because they all left me with that telltale sugar rush, followed by an inevitable crash. When it comes to sugar content, these two brands differ greatly:
Verb: Contains no added sugar and relies instead on natural stevia to sweeten the deal. It’s worth calling out that Stevia is the 11th ingredient on the list unlike Liquid I.V. (more on that below). Verb tested over 15 different types of stevia to find the right one that offered the cleanest taste and highest quality. Admittedly, I’m very sensitive to sugar and I noticeably didn’t experience a spike in blood sugar or the ensuing crash I sometimes feel after an especially sweet drink or meal.
Liquid I.V.: Cane Sugar is listed as the first ingredient, while Dextrose is listed as the second in their original Hydration Multiplier. Each serving contains 11g of added sugar. As much as I wanted to love Liquid I.V., the too-sweet taste was overpowering and didn’t leave me feeling refreshed or hydrated.
Winner: Verb. Verb is the clear winner here. Relying on Stevia instead of refined cane sugar is a game-changer, especially considering that the Dietary Guidelines for Americans recommends limiting sugar to around 50 grams of added sugar per day.
Ingredients and Benefits
While I’m not exactly training for an ultramarathon, it would be nice if my electrolyte mix pulled its weight beyond basic hydration. Here’s how the two compare:
Verb: Along with electrolytes, Verb’s plant-powered formula features Vitamin C, B1, B6 and Iron to help fuel the immune system, support energy metabolism, and sharpen focus. Verb promises hydration with benefits that ripple through the rest of your health. In other words, it’s not just a one hit wonder: their hydration mixes help support your full body, including your mental and physical wellbeing. Their product is all non-GMO, never made with any fillers or synthetics, and rigorously tested with each ingredient chosen thoughtfully.
Liquid I.V.: I like that each serving offers 100% daily value of Essential B Vitamins, as well as 70% DV of Vitamin C. But beyond that, the ingredient list and their promised benefits lean more toward functional hydration than holistic wellness.
Winner: Verb (with Liquid I.V. a close second). Verb takes the lead with its more balanced, whole-body approach to hydration. I love that its clean, functional ingredients are designed for real life — something you can reach for daily to feel good, not just to recover after a workout.
Taste
Improving your wellness routine is hard enough, and for me, taste matters just as much as efficacy because if it doesn’t taste good, it’ll never become a daily habit.
Verb: Verb comes in two flavors: Berry Breeze and Lavender Lemonade. Both are as pretty as they are drinkable. Berry Breeze gets its vibrant color from blue spirulina extract, while Lavender Lemonade’s bold golden color comes from turmeric extract. Both flavors have just the right mix of sweet and sour and I find myself looking forward to my daily dose. The taste is light, clean, and refreshing, thanks to a coconut water base. If I’m being picky, the lavender is very subtle; it’s more lemon-forward than floral.
Liquid I.V.: As a newbie, I like that Liquid I.V. comes in a variety pack of four flavors making it convenient to try different flavors. Unfortunately, all four leaned far too sweet for my taste and I couldn’t get over that it felt like drinking a melted popsicle.
Winner: Verb. While Liquid I.V. boasts more flavors, in this case, more isn’t always better. Verb nails the balance of sweet and tart with flavors that feel refreshing, not forced.
Cost
If something’s going to earn a permanent spot on my counter, it has to make sense for both my body and my budget.
Verb: One pack of Verb Daily Hydrate (with one flavor) cost $27.99 for 16 servings, which equates to $1.75 per serving. If you’re a new customer and order directly from their website, Verb will send you their starter pack, which includes a water bottle, carrying case and stir spoon.
Liquid I.V.: The Hydration Multiplier multi-pack cost $27.99 for 16 servings, which equates to $1.75 per serving.
Winner: Tie
Final Verdict: Verb Is the Full Package
It will take a lot for me to totally give up coffee, but adding Verb Daily Hydrate to my routine means I’m not reaching as often for that mid-afternoon caffeinated boost. And, while Liquid I.V. may be a solution for some, Verb won me over with their clean, feel-good ingredients and thoughtful formulation.
With four different electrolytes, plus Vitamin C and B Vitamins, Verb is designed to support whole-body wellness—not just recovery. What’s more: Verb feels approachable whether you’re looking to stay hydrated and energized or an athlete who needs something a bit more than just another “sporty” sugar-filled recovery drink.
Verb is the full package and will become a small, sustainable ritual that helps you feel clear and genuinely hydrated, one delicious sip at a time.
