Can TikTok's 'Thirsty Girl Mocktail' Actually Boost Hydration? Here's What We Know

There's something about putting together a mocktail that's invigorating and satisfying. This is exactly how TikTok's 'thirsty girl mocktail' looks. 

Posted by wellness influencer Gracie Norton on the social media platform, the beverage is touted as being super hydrating. Apparently, it's great to sip on at the end of a long work week when you're battling brain fog and dehydration, per Norton. The recipe contains a dash of Moon Juice Mini Dew, water, pineapple juice, aloe vera juice, lime juice, and some OLIPOP prebiotic lemon lime soda. Norton also throws in some coconut water ice cube spheres that have strawberry, mint, and cucumber in them, to add a fun twist to this drink. 

But is the 'thirsty girl mocktail' actually hydrating or is it just social media hype? Can it be the answer to those times when you're always thirsty and want something cute and refreshing to sip on during the day? Registered dietician nutritionist Melanie Murphy Richter told Bustle that this drink is really all it's cracked up to be. "By adding electrolytes, a touch of glucose, and some gut support, this drink is going to help keep your fluids balanced more effectively," explained the nutrition expert. Here's how you can make the mocktail and why it's good for you. 

Start by getting out your favorite tall glass to make the beverage in. "We're going to get this party started with one teaspoon of Moon Juice Mini Dew," shared Gracie Norton in her TikTok. 

If you're unfamiliar with this product, you can take a look at the list of ingredients on the company website. The Mini Dew electrolyte powder contains calcium, magnesium, zinc, selenium, sodium, chloride, and potassium. Your body needs electrolytes for a number of reasons. They aid nerve and muscle function, boost hydration, and also play a role in rebuilding damaged tissue (via Medical News Today). When it comes to hydration specifically, sodium, potassium, magnesium, calcium, phosphorus, chloride, and bicarbonate play a significant role, per Healthline. 

Next on the list of ingredients for the 'thirsty girl mocktail' is water. Norton pours a small amount into the glass and mixes the powder with the water using a handheld frother. The Mini Dew powder variety used in the recipe apparently has a watermelon taste to it too. Next, she pours in some pineapple juice, some aloe vera juice, and a sprinkling of lime juice. She completes the recipe by adding the coconut water ice cubes and topping the mocktail with a generous splash of OLIPOP prebiotic lemon lime soda. For decoration? Edible flowers and mint leaves. What are the other ingredients that make this mocktail one of the best drinks for hydration? 

"Consuming fruit can be a sweet way to boost nutrition and help contribute to your body's overall fluid needs," according to registered dietician and nutrition blogger, Kara Lydon (via Everyday Health). Pineapple is one of those fruits that can get the job done. With plenty of water content, lots of vitamin C, fiber, glucose, and also the helpful electrolyte potassium, it really is a fruit that should be a part of your diet. 

Aloe vera contains free-radical fighting antioxidants. It's a rich source of vitamins A, E, and C, whilst also being a good source of calcium and magnesium, per Web MD. Aloe vera also helps with digestion with its anti-inflammatory properties. Limes contain skin-hydrating nutrients like vitamin C, as Healthline reported. 

OLIPOP prebiotic lemon lime soda has carbonated water, lemon juice, apple juice, and some other additives and preservatives. While it might not be a good choice for those who can't handle carbonated drinks, the prebiotic fiber in the soda is good for gut health. The coconut-water ice cubes aren't a big part of the 'thirsty girl mocktail' but they do go in. The hydration-boosting electrolytes in coconut water – potassium, sodium, and manganese — add more of a thirst-quenching twist to this recipe. As colorful, nutritious, and hydrating as this TikTok drink is, however, you may want to keep an eye on the sugar content courtesy of the pineapple and lime soda. Anything good can quickly turn bad if moderation isn't paid attention to.