In the realm of sports drinks, sweet and salty concoctions of water, sugar, and salt can be counted as the pioneers. Designed to keep the University of Florida's football team - the Gators - hydrated during intense game days, Gatorade, introduced in the 1960s, is often seen as the forerunner of commercial sports beverages. The massive success of Gatorade set the stage for others like Powerade and Lucozade to foray into the market. The selling point wasn't just hydration, but a promise of enhanced performance, aimed at not just athletes, but anyone who enjoys physical movement. Modern iterations of sports drinks promise everything from muscle recovery to endurance and overall health-forward ingredients.

In an era where performance and wellness rule the roost, brands are leaning towards natural and organic ingredients for not only energy, but taste as well. Sports beverages across the globe provide plenty of unique and nourishing options.

One exceptional player in this market might raise eyebrows; it’s a herbal concoction in a wooden gourd, sipped through a metal straw - a traditional South American beverage known as Yerba Mate. Originating in Paraguay during the pre-Columbian era, it is a favorite among Argentinian, Uruguayan, or Brazilian athletes. Infused from the Ilex paraguariensis plant, it not only provides hydration but also packs a punch with antioxidants, vitamins, minerals and theobromine - a compound reputed to boost cognitive function without triggering a caffeine crash. It’s the go-to refreshment of football stars like Latin-America's Leo Messi and Brazil's Neymar Jr. One wellness-focused brand, Benny, aims to put a contemporary spin on this energizing beverage. Founded by Julie Letizia and Paige Cey, Benny offers traditional Yerba Mate with adaptogens like ashwagandha, lion’s mane, and reishi, targeting balance, focus, and immunity.

Inspired by an experience in Mexico, Rokuro Harima created Pocari Sweat - a beverage essentially meant to serve as a drinkable Intravenous (IV) hydration, packed with electrolytes and a grapefruit aftertaste. Initially a hit in Japan, this nutrient-packed drink has stealthily won over fans in North America across the past decade.

Sweden's Maurten offers another unique hydration solution. Founded by Olof Sköld, it’s fuelled world record-holding marathoners like Kenya's Eliud Kipchoge. Created to address a triathlete's need for better athletic beverages, Maurten's Drink Mix 160 delivers 40 grams of carbohydrates per 500ml of water. Joshua Rowe, Maurten’s performance scientist, says their patented hydrogel technology, which carries carbohydrates through the body, is ideal for healthy, continuous workouts.

Croatia’s Cedevita, loaded with supplements and vitamins, originated in the 1960s as a convenient source of essential nutrients during harsh winters. With a base of citrus, it offers flavors like lemon, grapefruit, and exotic fruit, and even sugar-free options.

Magna, started by Everlane founder Michael Preysman, offers a hydration formula for both athletes and fitness enthusiasts. It contains three forms of magnesium (typically skimped on in electrolyte drinks), with no caffeine or additives, and comes in flavors like Peach Mango, Lemon Lime, and Tea Lemonade. According to Preysman, Magna emphasizes a lifestyle of healthy, daily physical activity.