Who remembers getting a cold ocean water from Sonic growing up? The combination of Sprite and coconut syrup over pebble ice was about the only way to cool down in the summer growing up in Texas. Perhaps that’s why it’s Sonic’sย second-best-selling drink of all time.
Now that I live in Florida, it feels like summer every day, so I wanted to recreate the famous refreshing drive-in drink to sip by the beach, pool, or on the boat.
While the original recipe calls for Sprite, food coloring, and artificially flavored coconut syrup, the recipes below use “healthier” ingredients to create the same ultra-refreshing blue drink
Here are 3 Ways To Make A Sonic Ocean Water
You don’t have to get in the car to drive to Sonic or fly to another state to get your hands on their refreshing Ocean Waters. You can make them right at home with cleaner ingredients and less sugar.
1. Lemon-Lime Drink + Jordan’s Skinny Mermaid Syrup
Taste-wise, this version is my favorite. Here’s everything you need (Links are from Amazon).
Ingredients:
- 1 Olipop or Poppi lime soda
- Jordan’s Skinny Mixes Mermaid Syrup
- Marichino cherries or frozen strawberries
- Combine everything and enjoy!
2. Lemon-Lime Drink + Blue Algae
This is the healthiest way to make an Ocean Water. The blue algae gives this version of the Ocean Water its blue hue while providing numerous nutritional benefits, including minerals and antioxidants. (Links are from Amazon.)
Ingredients:
- 1 Olipop or Poppi lime soda
- A blue algae powder, like Natural Pure or Blue Butterfly Pea Flower powder. Both will give your ocean water that bright blue color while giving you a little antioxidant boost.
- Marichino cherries or frozen strawberries
- Combine everything and enjoy!
3. Water + Sonic Packets
By far the easiest and most convenient way to recreate a Sonic Ocean water is with their single-serve drink packets, which come in Cherry-Limeade, Strawberry Lemonade, Regular Limeade, and, of course, Ocean Water.
While these packets have zero sugar, they are artificially flavored, which is something to consider if you want a healthy version of this drink
The great part? You don’t need a lemon-lime flavored drink; simply empty the contents of a packet into
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Why Poppi/Olipop is Healthier than Sprite
YES, you can use Sprite in any of the Ocean Water recipes listed above, but here is why swapping it for an Olipop or Poppi is better for your health.
- Gut Health & Prebiotics
- Poppi and Olipop are formulated with prebiotics (from chicory root, cassava fiber, or apple cider vinegar), which help feed healthy gut bacteria.
- Sprite is just sugar (or artificial sweeteners) and offers zero digestive benefits.
- Lower Sugar Content
- Sprite has 38g of sugar in a 12-oz can.
- Poppi has 5g of sugar, and Olipop has 2โ5g depending on the flavor. This means fewer empty calories and less of a blood sugar spike.
- Natural Ingredients
- Poppi/Olipop uses natural sweeteners like fruit juice, stevia, or small amounts of cane sugar.
- Sprite uses high fructose corn syrup or artificial sweeteners (in the zero version).
- Flavor Depth
- Poppi/Olipop has unique flavor profiles like strawberry lemon, ginger lime, or vintage cola that add layers of taste to your cocktail.
- Sprite is a one-note lemon-lime flavor.
- Healthier Carbonation
- Poppi and Olipop are designed to be less acidic than traditional sodas, which is easier on your teeth and gut.
Tell me everything!
What’s your favorite drink to recreate?
*Disclosure: I only recommend products I try myself or similar product options, and all opinions expressed here are my own.ย This post may contain affiliate links that, at no additional cost to you, I may earn a small commission. Thanks for supporting the Eat Well. Adventure Often. blog!