What Beverage is Low in Potassium? Your Guide to Kidney-Friendly Drinks

October 26, 2025 •

4 min read

According to the National Kidney Foundation, some 37 million American adults suffer from chronic kidney disease, a condition that often requires limiting dietary potassium. Understanding what beverage is low in potassium is essential for managing your intake and staying safely hydrated while supporting kidney function. Many everyday drinks can be high in this mineral, but plenty of delicious and refreshing options are safe to enjoy.

Quick Summary

This guide provides a comprehensive overview of low-potassium beverage options, including water, infused waters, certain juices, and specific teas. It details which drinks are best for maintaining proper hydration on a kidney-friendly diet and which high-potassium beverages to limit or avoid.

Key Points

Water is the best choice: Plain or sparkling water contains no potassium and is the safest option for hydration on a restricted diet.
Infused water adds flavor: For variety, infuse water with low-potassium fruits like lemon, lime, berries, or cucumber slices.
Herbal and regular teas are safe: Unsweetened brewed tea (black, green, or herbal) is a low-potassium beverage.
Clear sodas are acceptable: Clear, non-cola fizzy drinks and fruit squashes are generally low in potassium.
Avoid coconut water and many juices: Coconut water and most fruit and vegetable juices are very high in potassium and should be limited or avoided.
Manage milk and coffee intake: Dairy milk is high in potassium, and while brewed coffee is low, adding milk or drinking large amounts should be monitored.

Understanding Potassium and Why It Matters

Potassium is a vital mineral that helps regulate fluid balance, nerve signals, and muscle contractions. For most healthy people, the kidneys maintain proper potassium levels by filtering out any excess. However, for individuals with chronic kidney disease (CKD) or other medical conditions, the kidneys may struggle to remove extra potassium, leading to a dangerous buildup called hyperkalemia. High potassium levels can cause serious heart problems, making dietary management, including beverage choices, crucial.

The Best Low-Potassium Beverages

For anyone on a low-potassium diet, a wide variety of drinks are safe and healthy choices. Water is universally considered the best option, but several other beverages can add flavor and variety to your hydration routine.

Water: Plain water is the ideal choice, as it contains no potassium. Sparkling water is also a great alternative for those who enjoy carbonation.
Flavored Water and Infusions: If plain water is unappealing, infuse it with low-potassium fruits like fresh lemon, lime, or berries. Cucumber and mint are also excellent choices for a refreshing flavor.
Tea: Brewed tea, including black, green, and many herbal varieties like chamomile, is a low-potassium option when unsweetened. Flavored fruit teas can also be a safe choice, but it is best to check the ingredients to ensure no high-potassium additives are present.
Fruit Squashes and Cordials: Many fruit-flavored squashes or cordials are low in potassium, especially those made with less than 10% fruit juice concentrate. Opt for sugar-free or diet versions to avoid excess sugar.
Clear Fizzy Drinks: Clear sodas like lemonade, ginger ale, and lemon-lime soda are generally low in potassium. Dark-colored colas, however, should be avoided as they often contain higher levels of phosphates.
Low-Potassium Juices (in moderation): While most fruit juices are high in potassium, certain options are acceptable in small, controlled portions. Cranberry juice and apple juice are lower in potassium compared to orange or prune juice. Stick to unsweetened varieties and limit intake as advised by your healthcare provider.
Rice Milk: As a dairy alternative, rice milk is naturally low in potassium and can be a good choice for those who need to limit their intake of dairy products, which can be high in potassium.

Comparison Table: Low vs. High Potassium Beverages


Beverage Category	Low Potassium Options	High Potassium Options (Limit or Avoid)
Water	Plain Water, Sparkling Water	Electrolyte-enhanced water (varies)
Juices	Unsweetened cranberry juice, apple juice (small portions)	Orange juice, prune juice, tomato juice, coconut water
Milk	Rice milk	Dairy milk, soy milk, almond milk, hot chocolate
Soda	Clear sodas (lemonade, ginger ale)	Dark colas (containing phosphoric acid), energy drinks
Tea	Brewed black, green, herbal tea	Instant tea

Homemade, Low-Potassium Recipes

Creating your own beverages at home allows you to control the ingredients and avoid hidden sources of potassium and sugar. Here are a few simple recipes:

Lemon & Mint Refresher: Muddle fresh mint leaves with slices of lemon and add to a pitcher of still or sparkling water. Allow to infuse for at least an hour.
Berry-Infused Water: Add a handful of fresh blueberries or raspberries to a bottle of water. The berries will release a subtle, low-potassium flavor.
Iced Herbal Tea: Brew a pot of your favorite herbal tea (chamomile, ginger, etc.) and let it cool completely. Serve over ice with a lemon wedge.

What to Avoid: Common High-Potassium Beverages

Several popular drinks are high in potassium and should be limited or avoided on a restricted diet. These include:

Coconut Water: Often marketed for its electrolytes, coconut water is extremely high in potassium and should be avoided.
Fruit and Vegetable Juices: Many pure fruit juices (like orange and tomato) and vegetable juices are concentrated sources of potassium.
Milk: Dairy milk contains significant potassium, as do some plant-based alternatives like soy and almond milk. Consult with your dietitian for specific recommendations.
Certain Coffee Drinks: While a single cup of brewed coffee is relatively low in potassium, adding high-potassium milk or consuming larger quantities can increase your intake.
Energy and Sports Drinks: Many of these are packed with electrolytes, including potassium, making them unsuitable for a low-potassium diet unless specified otherwise.

Conclusion: Making Informed Beverage Choices

Staying hydrated is crucial for overall health, and with a careful approach, it is entirely possible to enjoy a variety of delicious and refreshing beverages on a low-potassium diet. Water remains the best choice, but options like infused waters, herbal teas, and clear sodas provide excellent alternatives. By understanding the potassium content of different drinks and practicing moderation, individuals can effectively manage their intake while still enjoying a flavorful diet. Always consult with a healthcare professional or registered dietitian for personalized advice regarding your dietary needs, especially if managing a condition like chronic kidney disease.

For additional low-potassium food and drink ideas, visit the National Kidney Foundation website.

Frequently Asked Questions

Unsweetened cranberry juice and apple juice are among the lowest in potassium compared to other fruit juices. However, even these should be consumed in moderation and in small, controlled portions on a strict low-potassium diet.

Clear, diet sodas like ginger ale, lemon-lime, and lemonade are generally low in potassium and can be consumed in moderation. However, dark-colored colas should be avoided as they contain added phosphorus, which can also be a concern for kidney health.

A moderate amount of brewed coffee is typically acceptable on a low-potassium diet. However, you should limit your intake, especially if you add high-potassium ingredients like milk or certain flavorings.

Rice milk is a good alternative to dairy milk, as it is low in potassium. Other plant-based milks like soy and almond milk can be higher in potassium, so it is important to read the nutrition label.

No, sports drinks and many electrolyte-enhanced waters are specifically formulated to replace lost electrolytes, including potassium. Therefore, they are not suitable for a low-potassium diet and should be avoided.

Always check the nutrition label on bottled beverages, especially those that claim to be healthy. Many fruit juices, vitamin waters, and flavored drinks can contain unexpectedly high levels of potassium, phosphorus, and added sugars.

Yes, you can easily enhance the flavor of water with low-potassium fruit and herb infusions. Try adding slices of cucumber, lemon, or a few berries to your water for a refreshing and kidney-friendly alternative.