Liquid I.V. Complete Guide: Flavors, Nutrition Facts, and How to Use It

What Liquid I.V. Actually Is

Liquid I.V. is an electrolyte powder you mix into water. But unlike Gatorade or a basic electrolyte tab, it’s built on a specific mechanism from the World Health Organization: the sodium-glucose co-transport system (SGLT1). When you have the right ratio of sodium and glucose present together in your gut, your small intestine pulls water across the intestinal wall much faster than water alone. It’s the same science behind oral rehydration solutions that have saved millions of lives from severe dehydration.

Liquid I.V. calls their version LIV HYDRASCIENCE™ (formerly “Cellular Transport Technology”). The fancy name aside, the core principle is decades old and well-validated. The company — now owned by Unilever and the #1 powdered hydration brand in the U.S. by value sales — has conducted over 15 clinical studies, including a 2025 study at the University of Memphis showing their formula significantly outperformed water alone in fluid retention over 4 hours.

All 8 Liquid I.V. Product Lines Explained

1. Hydration Multiplier (Flagship)

The original. Cane sugar + dextrose + electrolytes + B vitamins + Vitamin C. 45–50 calories, 11g sugar, ~500mg sodium per packet. This is what most people mean when they say “Liquid I.V.” It comes in the most flavors (19) and is the baseline everything else is compared to.

2. Hydration Multiplier Sugar-Free

Replaces glucose with an amino acid–allulose blend (L-glutamine + L-alanine). Zero sugar, ~20 calories, comparable electrolytes. Allulose is a naturally occurring rare sugar from figs that doesn’t raise blood sugar. The science shows it performs comparably to the regular version for hydration. Available in 9 flavors. This is what dietitians most often recommend for daily use.

3. Hydration Multiplier + Energy

The original caffeinated line. Still contains sugar. Adds 100mg natural caffeine from Coffeeberry® extract or Matcha/Guayusa (depending on flavor), plus L-Theanine for smooth, jitter-free energy. Available in 3–4 flavors including Yuzu Pineapple and Mango Tamarind. More on how this compares to coffee in our Energy Multiplier vs. coffee breakdown.

4. Sugar-Free Energy Multiplier

Launched in 2025 — the newest line. Combines zero sugar with 100mg caffeine, 200mg L-Theanine (double the regular Energy line), plus magnesium. Total electrolytes: ~995mg. 4 flavors: Blackberry Lemonade, Fruit Punch, Pomegranate Punch, Strawberry Kiwi.

5. Hydration Multiplier + Immune Support

Packs a serious vitamin punch: 504mg Vitamin C (560% DV) and 10.5mg Zinc (~95% DV), plus Wellmune® beta-glucan — a clinically studied immune-support ingredient from baker’s yeast. 3 flavors: Tangerine, Wild Berry Blend, Mango Passionfruit.

6. Hydration Multiplier for Kids

Same electrolyte science, designed for ages 4+. Cuts sugar to 6g (50% less than adult) and reduces sodium to ~250mg. 4 flavors: Cotton Candy, Concord Grape, Crisp Apple, Tropical Punch.

7. Hydration Multiplier + Sleep

Nighttime formula with 3mg melatonin, 50mg L-Theanine (Suntheanine®), and 175mg organic valerian root. Only 4g sugar, 25 calories, lower electrolytes. Mix into just 8 oz (not the standard 16 oz) about 30 minutes before bed. One flavor: Blueberry Lavender.

8. Hydration Multiplier + Gut Health

Adds 1 billion CFU of Probiotic BC30 (Bacillus coagulans) and fermented tea vinegar powder for digestive support. One flavor: Tart Green Apple. Primarily found at retail rather than the official website.

Nutrition Facts: What’s Actually in Each Packet

Here’s a direct comparison across the main product lines per serving:

Ingredients in the flagship Hydration Multiplier: Pure Cane Sugar, Dextrose, Citric Acid, Salt, Potassium Citrate, Sodium Citrate, Dipotassium Phosphate, Silicon Dioxide, Rebaudioside-A (Stevia Leaf Extract), Natural Flavors, Vitamin C, Vitamin B3, Vitamin B5, Vitamin B6, Vitamin B12.

Key things to know: All Liquid I.V. products are Non-GMO, gluten-free, soy-free, dairy-free, vegan, and free of artificial sweeteners, colors, and preservatives. The regular line gets sweetness from cane sugar + stevia; the sugar-free line uses allulose + stevia. Neither contains artificial sweeteners like sucralose or aspartame.

A note on sodium

Each regular packet contains ~500mg sodium — about 22% of your daily value. That’s intentional (sodium is what drives the absorption mechanism), but it matters if you’re managing hypertension, kidney disease, or watching sodium intake overall. The Sleep and Kids lines run lower at 250–360mg.

Every Liquid I.V. Flavor Currently Available

Liquid I.V. has roughly 44 flavors across all product lines. For a full ranked breakdown of which ones are actually worth buying, see our dedicated post: Best Liquid I.V. Flavors Ranked.

Here’s the full flavor roster by line:

Hydration Multiplier (19 flavors)

Açai Berry, Arctic Raspberry, Concord Grape, Cotton Candy, Golden Cherry, Grapefruit, Guava, Lemon Lime, Mango, Orange Vanilla Dream, Passion Fruit, Pear, Piña Colada, Popsicle® Firecracker, Seaberry, Strawberry, Strawberry Lemonade, Tropical Punch, Watermelon

Sugar-Free Hydration Multiplier (9 flavors)

Green Grape, Lemon Lime, Mandarin Orange, Mango Pineapple, Rainbow Sherbet, Raspberry Lemonade, Raspberry Melon, Strawberry Watermelon, White Peach

Sugar-Free Energy Multiplier (4 flavors)

Blackberry Lemonade, Fruit Punch, Pomegranate Punch, Strawberry Kiwi

Energy Multiplier (3–4 flavors)

Blackberry Peach, Mango Tamarind, Yuzu Pineapple, Lemon Ginger (limited)

Immune / Sleep / Kids / Gut Health

Tangerine, Wild Berry Blend, Mango Passionfruit (Immune); Blueberry Lavender (Sleep); Cotton Candy, Concord Grape, Crisp Apple, Tropical Punch (Kids); Tart Green Apple (Gut Health)

How to Mix Liquid I.V. for the Best Flavor and Effectiveness

The official recommendation is: one packet into 16 oz (500 mL) of water. That ratio is calibrated for the absorption science to work correctly. Too little water makes it too salty and can cause stomach upset. Too much water dilutes the formula below the osmolarity needed for enhanced absorption.

Practical mixing tips:

• Use cold water. Officially recommended and makes a meaningful difference in taste — the flavor is noticeably brighter cold. Hot water is not recommended as it may affect nutrient stability (the Gut Health product is the exception).
• Shake, don’t stir. Closing the lid and shaking dissolves the powder more thoroughly than stirring.
• Add ice. Perfectly fine and enhances most flavors.
• Consume within 24 hours. Refrigerate if not drinking immediately.
• Don’t mix with juice or other drinks. Added sugars disrupt the formula’s carefully balanced osmolarity.
• The “too sweet” adjustment: The most common complaint is that it’s overly sweet. Many users stretch one packet across 20–32 oz of water. This does reduce absorption speed slightly, but it’s a reasonable trade-off if you find the standard dilution too intense.
• Sleep line is different: Mix into only 8 oz of water (not 16), about 30 minutes before bed.

The recommended dose is one packet per day, unless advised otherwise by a doctor.

Who Liquid I.V. Is Actually For

Liquid I.V. delivers the most benefit in situations where you’re genuinely losing or have lost fluids:

• Athletes and active people — especially during or after prolonged, sweaty exercise
• Illness recovery — vomiting, diarrhea, or fever all cause rapid fluid and electrolyte loss
• Hangover recovery — alcohol is a diuretic; electrolytes help restore balance
• Frequent travelers — cabin humidity can drop below 20% on long flights; packets are TSA-friendly
• Hot weather / outdoor activities — heat and sweating rapidly deplete electrolytes
• People who struggle to drink enough water — if Liquid I.V. makes you actually want to hydrate, that’s a real benefit

Who should be cautious: Anyone managing hypertension or kidney disease (high sodium per packet), diabetics using the regular (sugared) line, and pregnant women who should consult their OB-GYN. The Energy line contains 100mg caffeine — avoid in the evening and if caffeine-sensitive. Competitive athletes: Liquid I.V. is not certified NSF Safe for Sport or Informed Sport.

For healthy, adequately hydrated adults with a normal diet, plain water is sufficient for daily needs. Liquid I.V.’s daily-use value is largely about making water more enjoyable and getting extra vitamins.

Pricing and Where to Get the Best Deal

Standard retail is about $1.56/packet on the official website at full price. Here’s how to pay significantly less:

• Costco or Sam’s Club (30-count) on sale: $0.65–$0.73/packet — the best per-unit value when they run their $7–8 promotions
• Amazon Subscribe & Save with coupon stacking: ~$0.87–$1.00/packet
• Official site subscription + bundle deals: ~$0.76–$1.09/packet
• Walmart 15-count: ~$1.00/packet

Variety packs are available everywhere — the flagship Hydration Multiplier Variety Pack (Lemon Lime, Passion Fruit, Strawberry, Tropical Punch, 16-ct) is on Amazon and the official site. Costco’s 30-count variety packs rotate seasonally.

Bottom Line

Liquid I.V. is a well-formulated product built on legitimate, decades-old hydration science. It’s not magic and it’s not a daily necessity for healthy adults — but in the right situations (intense exercise, travel, illness, heat, or just wanting to drink more water), it genuinely works better than water alone.

If you’re new to it: start with Lemon Lime or Watermelon — they’re the most universally liked. Go sugar-free for daily use and stick to the regular for heavy sweat situations where glucose aids recovery. Buy at Costco when it’s on sale.

Want to know which specific flavors are worth the money? Read our full flavor ranking. Or if you’re wondering how the Energy Multiplier stacks up against just having another cup of coffee in the afternoon, we broke that down in our Liquid I.V. vs. Coffee for Energy comparison.