When Skratch Labs was launched by Dr. Allen Lim, it was one of the first all natural sports drinks on the market. Though others have hit the market, Skratch continues to be a popular choice, and has expanded their line of drinks and foods provide athletes with everything they need to stay hydrated and fueled  during their sport. We had a chance to try out the new Strawberry and Passion Fruit flavors of the Sport Hydration Mix and found they worked well in a variety of situations.
It all started with the all natural Secret Drink Mix. That means no coloring agents, artificial sweeteners, synthetic flavoring agents or chemicals, just simple sugars, electrolytes, and real fruit. The athletes Lim was working with were using products that were filled with artificial ingredients and they were complaining that they felt sick. So Lim set out to create something natural for them to use while training and competing. The finished product, developed in Lim’s kitchen, used less sugar, more sodium (electrolytes), and nothing artificial. To flavor the drink, he used real fruit. From there, an empire was born.
Skratch has since updated the recipe to include more electrolytes and added additional flavors, with the latest being strawberry and passion fruit. When you look at the ingredients, there are only 9, all of which you can easily pronounce, Cane Sugar, Dextrose, Sodium Citrate, Strawberries or Passion Fruit, Citric Acid, Magnesium Lactate, Calcium Citrate, Potassium Citrate, Ascorbic Acid (Vitamin C). With each serving, you are getting one strawberry or two passion fruit. Regardless of which you pick, both have a light, refreshing taste.
I tested it out on multiple rides, short and long, and a long day of cross races. Each time, I found it did a great job hydrating me, and didn’t cause any stomach issues. Whether I drank a bottle, or 3-4, the taste remained light and satisfying.
For a small bottle, they recommend 1 scoop, 1.5 for a larger bottle. I found this to be pretty good taste wise, and it dissolves in pretty easily with just a few shakes of the bottle. This mixture keeps the taste light, but still provides the electrolytes you need, especially on hot days.
The cross race that I used it for, I raced in the morning, and again in the afternoon. In between, I walked around shooting other races. As I was warming up, I drank a small bottle for some pre-race hydration. It was already in the 70’s, so I knew it was going to be a long day. After the race, I sipped on another bottle as I ate some food and took pictures. By time the second race came around, it was almost 90 degrees and the sun was baking down on the course. I sipped down another half bottle, and took the rest with me for the race. About half way through the race, I had finished the bottle, but I felt fine to get through until the end. Even with the temperatures and efforts, I still felt hydrated with no signs of cramps or stomach discomfort.
If strawberry or passion fruit isn’t your thing, they have lemon-lime, oranges, and matcha-lemon, which also contains 16mg of caffeine from the matcha tea. It’s not a lot of caffeine, but still a little boost to pick you up. The Sport Hydration comes in single serving packs or in a 20 serving resealable bag. I found the single serve packs to be handy to take with you on rides where you’ll need to refill. Lemon-Lime also has a 60 serving bag available.
If you are looking to keep things all natural, all the time, Skratch Labs has a full line of other beverages and foods, along with cook books. Here is a quick breakdown as of the time of publication, and we’ll try to cover some of the additional products in the future.
Drinks
Anytime Hydration – Are you thirsty at the office or at home, but not working out? Grab this in lemon-lime or passion fruit.
Sport Hydration –Â If you got this far, and don’t know what this is, start over at the top.
Sport Recovery – Need some protein after your hard workout? Grab this in chocolate or coffee
Rescue Hydration Mix – Grab this when you are sick, and you need to rehydrate and get electrolytes back into your system.
Foods
Sport Energy Chews – Skip the other dummies and blocks out there that are filled with chemicals, and eat these natural chews for some energy.
Anytime Energy Bar – Feeling that 3 PM crash, or want something solid for your 3 hour ride? Grab this.
Books
The Feed Zone Cookbook – The original cookbook with all kinds of great recipes to help fuel your workouts.
The Feed Zone Portables – A cookbook full of recipes for small snacks you can take with you on your ride.
The Feed Zone Table – Whether you’re cooking for your family or your team, these dishes will leave everyone happy with happy tummies.
Single Serving – $1.95
Single Serving 20 Pack – $35.00
20 Serving Pouch – $19.50
60 Serving Pouch – $49.00
Heckling Editor, Image Taker, Crash Test Dummy, and Beard Master at Bikeworldnews.com
~Veggie Powered Athlete~
Location – Lancaster, PA
Current Testing Rigs – 2024 Van Dessel Arch65, 2019 Van Dessel Full Tilt Boogie, 2018 Van Dessel Motivus Maximus LTD, 2016 Van Dessel Whiskey Tango Foxtrot, 2015 Bianchi Sempre Pro, 1978 Trek TX900
Dream Bike – I’ll tell you when they make it
Discipline – Cyclocross, gravel, road and duathlons (ride/run)
Favorite Rides – Quiet country roads of Amish Country, some of the best roads around.
Food of Choice – Sweet potato roll
Beer of Choice – Unibroue Grand Reserve 17, aged four years
Bourbon of Choice – Widow Jane 10 Year