Clif Shot electrolyte replacement drink

Here at road.cc we've tested various products from the strangely named Clif Bar & Company (why is the '&' in there?), including the well-known eponymous energy bars favoured by hikers and touring cyclists. The Clif team also produces a range of items under the Shot sub-brand, aimed more at the athletic end of the market, and recently we've been trying the Shot Electrolyte replacement drink in Lemonade flavour.

As with most energy drinks, it comes as a tub of powder which you mix with water. The label gives directions on the number of scoops (a scoop is supplied in the tub) to put in various sorts of container: small water bottle, large water bottle and so on. More precise volumes are given in US ounces, so you'll need a converter to work out the number of scoops to mix with 500ml, 750ml or whatever the size of your bidon.

Once you've calculated quantities, the first thing you notice on taking a swig is the taste. It really does taste of lemonade (that's *American* lemonade - what the Brits call 'homemade lemonade', to distinguish it from the clear fizzy stuff you get in bottle or use to make a shandy) and it's quite sour, but in a good way. This drink feels like it's cleansing your mouth out, and is a very refreshing alternative to the more sweet and sticky texture of some other energy drinks.

This is a pure carbohydrate product, and the main source ingredients are brown rice syrup and cane juice. As with most Clif products, the ingredients are mostly organic - 92% in this case. The mix also contains electrolytes, to replace the four key minerals of magnesium, potassium, sodium and calcium that you lose through sweat, especially on hot days.

We've tested this drink on a couple of long sportives, and really like it. It seems to do the job just right: providing the carbs to keep you going ,and replacing the minerals to help avoid cramps, while the clean refreshing taste means keeping topped up is no chore.

The Shot Drink mix comes in a 910g tub. The table explains that this equates to 45 'servings' of 20g each, and that a serving equals 1.5 scoops (although in the road.cc lab we found that a scoop is nearer 20g).

With the 910g tub costing £14.99 - although you can find it for a bit less on some of the on-line energy food stores - you're looking at around 20p to 30p a scoop. According to Clif, you need to add three scoops to a 20oz bottle (near enough half a litre), meaning 60p to 90p per bottle.

As with all energy products, you'll need to experiment to find the proportions that work best for your own needs, taking into account body mass, exertion levels and so on.

You can even experiment with taste: as well as the lemonade flavour, it's also available in cranberry.

Verdict

Great-tasting energy drink, with carbs and essential minerals - ideal for long rides on hot days.