Adrenal Cocktail: My Take on the Viral Recipe

If you’ve been exploring wellness blogs or social media recently, you might have encountered the popular “Cortisol Cocktail” recipe. Influencers and health experts promote this beverage as a wonderful tonic for supporting adrenal health and lowering cortisol levels.

While it’s tempting to get excited about the latest health trend, I want to examine the original recipe more closely and analyze each component. Afterward, I’ll present my own version of the adrenal cocktail recipe and explain why I chose different ingredients.

Creating a Cortisol Cocktail

Years ago, during my journey into natural living (about 12 years back), people referred to it as an adrenal tonic or adrenal cocktail recipe, and it came in many variations. I tried some, found a couple that suited me, and then paused for several years.

Last year, as stress levels rose (hello single mom life), I returned to these remedies and developed a recipe that I find far more beneficial. The core recipe isn’t sugary or indulgent like some versions you might see online. However, it makes me feel better and has a reduced sugar content without the orange juice and coconut water base. If an unsweetened drink doesn’t appeal to you, you can add one of the original ingredients or sweeten it with honey or your preferred natural sweetener.

Let’s explore the original “Cortisol Cocktail,” its ingredients, and why I have opted for some modifications to make it even more nourishing for my body.

The Original Adrenal Cocktail Ingredients and Their Benefits

Typically, the original recipe comprises a blend of orange juice, coconut water, salt, honey, cream of tartar, and occasionally other elements. Some recipes include collagen powder, coconut cream, coconut milk, and even sparkling water. Each component is believed to aid the adrenal glands and assist in balancing cortisol levels.

Our adrenal hormones are also crucial for maintaining healthy blood pressure and regulating heart rate. High cortisol levels can harm gut health, leading to weight gain, cravings, and leaky gut symptoms, which can overall harm the endocrine and immune systems.

Here’s a breakdown of the health benefits behind these ingredients:

Orange Juice: Rich in vitamin C, orange juice helps support adrenal health. Vitamin C is crucial for the body to manage stress hormones and assists in cortisol production. The adrenal glands consume a lot of vitamin C under stress, so replenishing it can be beneficial.
Coconut Water: Celebrated for its electrolyte content, particularly potassium and magnesium, coconut water offers hydrating benefits. Proper hydration is vital for adrenal function. The minerals in coconut water help maintain electrolyte balance, bolstering stress resilience.
Salt: High-quality sea salt or Himalayan pink salt helps balance sodium levels, crucial for maintaining healthy adrenal function. Elevated cortisol can disrupt sodium and potassium balances, so adding salt supports hydration and fluid balance.
Honey: Honey provides natural sugar, offering quick energy. Stress can deplete energy levels, and honey provides a rapid glucose boost to fuel the body and support adrenal function. It’s also more blood sugar friendly than refined sugars.
Cream of Tartar: This ingredient, known for its potassium, helps offset stress impacts on potassium levels. Potassium is thought to regulate stress responses and balance electrolytes.

While this ingredient mix is nourishing and benefits adrenal health, I’ve altered it slightly. The revised version caters more effectively to my needs and enhances its impact on cortisol balance.

My Cortisol Cocktail Recipe: A Twist on the Original

This version retains the essential benefits of the original ingredients but further aids cortisol balance and adds whole food nutrition.

Here’s my adrenal cocktail ingredient list:

Lemon: High in vitamin C, crucial for adrenal health and cortisol regulation, lemon also alkalizes the body, aids digestion, and offers a refreshing start to the day.
Olive Oil: Olive oil, a healthy fat, supports hormone production and has anti-inflammatory effects. I include it in my cortisol cocktail as it satiates me and nourishes. It also plays a role in hormone balance, including cortisol.
Ocean Minerals (from Activation Products): These minerals offer a rich source of electrolytes, including magnesium, supporting adrenal health and regulating cortisol levels. I prefer ocean minerals for their comprehensive mineral content, surpassing mere salt, and providing a milder flavor.
Liquid Potassium: Necessary for fluid balance and cellular function, potassium levels deplete under chronic stress. I incorporate liquid potassium to replenish it and support healthy cortisol rhythms, selecting it over cream of tartar from the original recipe.
Adrenal Cocktail Recipe

Here’s my take on the viral adrenal cocktail drink. It offers a dose of vitamin C, healthy fats, and minerals to assist in maintaining healthy cortisol levels.

Instructions:

Add all ingredients to a blender (including the whole lemon with skin, if organic, and if your blender can handle it).
Blend on high for about a minute or until completely smooth.
Optional: For a smoother texture, strain the drink through a fine mesh strainer.

Nutrition Facts

Adrenal Cocktail Recipe

Amount Per Serving (1 serving)

Calories: 155 (Calories from Fat 126)

% Daily Value*

Fat: 14g (22%)

Saturated Fat: 2g (13%)

Polyunsaturated Fat: 2g

Monounsaturated Fat: 10g

Sodium: 10mg (0%)

Potassium: 149mg (4%)

Carbohydrates: 10g (3%)

Fiber: 3g (13%)

Sugar: 3g (3%)

Protein: 1g (2%)

Vitamin A: 24IU (0%)

Vitamin C: 57mg (69%)

Calcium: 33mg (3%)

Iron: 1mg (6%)

Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

Note: Olive oil and vitamin C may promote regularity, but excessive intake could cause loose stools.

When to Drink an Adrenal Cocktail

You can enjoy this drink any time of the day.

I often have it in the morning before meals, providing me with a nourishing start and supporting my hydration and digestion. Cortisol levels are naturally highest in the morning, and this drink provides vital nutrients for adrenal health and energy. It doesn’t artificially lower cortisol (as cortisol naturally peaks in the morning).

Alternatively, consume it in the afternoon or evening to help decrease cortisol before sleep, potentially aiding relaxation. During high-stress periods, I sometimes drank it twice daily or added lemon juice and minerals to calming tea at night.

Why This Isn’t a Miracle Cure (But Still Helpful)

While the Cortisol Cocktail can be a supportive addition to your routine, it is not a miracle cure. It won’t instantaneously eliminate stress or eradicate cortisol issues. Cortisol balance is complex, requiring a holistic approach, which is why I pair this drink with other lifestyle practices for overall wellness.

Consider these additional tips for healthy cortisol levels…

These steps are crucial for fostering a balanced lifestyle that supports hormonal stability.

Other Hormone-Supporting Supplements

I often pair this drink with hormone-supporting supplements. I take saffron (morning or evening), ashwagandha (morning), and rhodiola (morning). These adaptogens and mood-enhancing herbs help balance cortisol and support a healthy stress response. Saffron aids mood and mental clarity, while ashwagandha and rhodiola regulate cortisol and reduce stress-induced fatigue.

Together, these supplements amplify the effects of the cortisol cocktail, providing extra support for a calm, balanced start to the day.

In Summary…

Cortisol cocktail ingredients: The original recipe includes elements like orange juice, coconut water, and salt, all designed to bolster adrenal function and balance cortisol.
My version: I replace orange juice with lemon (for vitamin C) and incorporate olive oil (for healthy fats). I also choose ocean minerals and liquid potassium for enhanced cortisol support.
When to drink: You can consume this cocktail any time of day. In the morning before meals, it aids hydration and digestion. In the evening, it may encourage sleep (but avoid drinking immediately before bedtime).
Supplements: Complement the cocktail with hormone-supporting supplements like saffron, ashwagandha, and rhodiola to enhance stress resilience.
Lifestyle matters: The cortisol cocktail is a useful tool, but remember, it’s most effective when combined with quality sleep habits, light exposure, breathing exercises, and stress management practices.

If you’re experiencing stress or dealing with adrenal fatigue, the Cortisol Cocktail can be a simple yet effective way to support your body’s natural balance. However, true balance is achieved through a mix of diet, lifestyle, and stress management.

Have you tried an adrenal cocktail before? Did you experience any benefits? Share your experience in the comments!