What's the best drink for a fever? Hydration, Electrolytes, and Comfort

November 14, 2025 •

4 min read

When you have a fever, your body loses fluids faster than usual through sweating and increased respiration. Knowing what's the best drink for a fever is crucial for staying hydrated, replenishing electrolytes, and supporting your body's recovery process.

Quick Summary

Proper hydration is key to managing a fever. Electrolyte drinks, broths, and certain herbal teas are excellent choices for replenishing lost fluids and minerals to aid recovery.

Key Points

Prioritize Hydration: A fever increases fluid loss through sweating and faster breathing, making proper hydration essential for recovery.
Replenish Electrolytes: Electrolytes like sodium and potassium are lost during fever, especially with vomiting or diarrhea, and must be replaced to maintain proper bodily function.
Choose Soothing Broths: Warm chicken or vegetable broths are excellent for hydration, providing electrolytes, and soothing a sore throat.
Sip Herbal Teas: Teas like ginger, peppermint, and chamomile can offer comfort, help with nausea, and promote relaxation.
Avoid Dehydrating Drinks: Steer clear of alcohol, caffeinated drinks (coffee, black tea, colas), and high-sugar juices, which can worsen dehydration.
Consider Oral Rehydration Solutions: For significant fluid loss, solutions like Pedialyte are specifically formulated to restore fluid and electrolyte balance effectively.

A fever is a natural response by your body to fight off infection, but it can cause significant fluid loss through sweating and a faster breathing rate. This can lead to dehydration, which may worsen symptoms and slow down your recovery. Choosing the right fluids is essential to replenish lost liquids, restore vital electrolytes, and provide comfort while your body works to heal.

The Crucial Role of Hydration During a Fever

Staying properly hydrated is one of the most important aspects of managing a fever at home. Dehydration can increase your body temperature, causing dizziness, fatigue, and headaches. It is particularly critical to replace electrolytes—minerals like sodium and potassium—which are lost through sweat, vomiting, and diarrhea. Electrolytes are vital for maintaining fluid balance and ensuring your cells function correctly. Plain water is always a good starting point, but it may not be enough to replenish lost minerals, especially during a high fever or gastrointestinal illness.

Top Drinks for Fever Relief

Oral Rehydration Solutions and Electrolyte Drinks

For rapid and effective rehydration, especially in cases of vomiting or diarrhea, oral rehydration solutions (ORS) are ideal. Products like Pedialyte or store-brand alternatives offer a balanced mix of water, salts, and sugars to restore fluid balance efficiently. Lower-sugar sports drinks can also work, but check the ingredients to avoid excessive sugar content. You can also create a homemade version by combining water, a little salt, and fresh fruit juice for flavor and energy.

Warm Broths and Soups

A hot bowl of chicken, beef, or vegetable broth is a time-tested remedy for good reason. Broths are primarily liquid, providing excellent hydration, and the warmth can help soothe a sore throat and clear nasal congestion. They also contain salt and other electrolytes, along with easily digestible protein, to provide energy and nutrients. A warm, flavorful broth can be especially comforting if you have a reduced appetite.

Herbal Teas

Many herbal teas offer soothing benefits when you're under the weather. Ginger tea is well-known for its anti-inflammatory properties and ability to soothe nausea. Peppermint tea provides a cooling sensation and can help clear sinuses. Chamomile tea is a calming option that can promote relaxation and rest. A spoonful of honey can also be added to soothe a cough or sore throat, but should not be given to children under one year of age.

Coconut Water

As a natural source of electrolytes, coconut water is an excellent option for rehydration. It is rich in potassium and also contains other minerals that help maintain fluid balance in the body. Choose a 100% pure, unsweetened variety to avoid unnecessary sugar.

Diluted Fruit Juices

For those who can tolerate them, diluted fruit juices, particularly citrus options like orange or grapefruit juice, can provide a boost of Vitamin C. It's crucial to dilute them to minimize the sugar content, which can sometimes aggravate an upset stomach or lead to diarrhea. Choose 100% juice without added sugars.

Drinks to Avoid When You Have a Fever

Caffeinated Drinks: Beverages like coffee, black tea, and certain colas should be avoided as caffeine is a diuretic and can worsen dehydration.
Alcohol: Alcohol is a known diuretic and can interfere with your immune system, making your fever and other symptoms worse.
High-Sugar Beverages: While some sugar is helpful for energy, drinks with excessive added sugar, including many sports drinks and fruit juices, can cause stomach upset and diarrhea, hindering recovery.

Comparison of Fever Drinks


Drink Type	Hydration Efficacy	Electrolyte Content	Soothing Effect	Sugar Content	Best For...
Water	Excellent	Very Low	None	None	General hydration, flushing toxins
Oral Rehydration Solution	Excellent	High	None	Low-Moderate	Replenishing fluids and minerals rapidly
Broth (Chicken, Veggie)	Excellent	Moderate-High	Excellent	Low	Warmth, comfort, nutrients
Herbal Tea	Excellent	Very Low	Good	Low (unsweetened)	Soothing sore throat, promoting relaxation
Coconut Water	Excellent	Moderate-High	Good (chilled)	Low	Natural electrolyte replacement

Homemade Electrolyte Drink Recipe

For a natural, low-sugar electrolyte alternative, try this simple recipe:

Combine 1.5 cups of unsweetened coconut water with 0.5 cups of fresh orange juice and 2 tablespoons of fresh lime juice.
Add a pinch of sea salt (about 1/8 teaspoon).
Stir until the salt is dissolved.
Serve chilled or with ice. This refreshing drink can help you rehydrate and replace essential minerals lost during a fever.

Conclusion

Staying well-hydrated is the most effective and simplest way to support your body while it battles a fever. By opting for water, electrolyte drinks, nourishing broths, and soothing herbal teas, you can help regulate your temperature, replenish lost minerals, and find comfort. Remember to avoid dehydrating beverages like coffee and alcohol, and consult a healthcare professional if your fever persists or worsens.

Mayo Clinic: Fever - Diagnosis & treatment

Frequently Asked Questions

Plain water is a good option for hydration during a fever, but it may not contain enough electrolytes to replace those lost through excessive sweating, vomiting, or diarrhea. Oral rehydration solutions, broths, or coconut water are better choices for replenishing lost minerals.

Yes, you can drink milk during a fever. The myth that it increases phlegm is not true, and milk can provide essential nutrients and hydration. However, if you experience any nausea or find it difficult to digest, lighter fluids like water or broth may be preferable.

Some sports drinks can be helpful for electrolyte replacement, but many contain high levels of sugar, which can be hard on your stomach when you're sick. For mild to moderate dehydration, oral rehydration solutions are a better option due to their balanced composition.

If you are experiencing vomiting, an oral rehydration solution (ORS) like Pedialyte is ideal. Sip small amounts frequently rather than drinking a large volume at once to help keep fluids down and effectively replace electrolytes.

It is best to avoid caffeinated teas (like black tea) and coffee during a fever. Caffeine can act as a diuretic, which can contribute to dehydration and may worsen your overall condition.

Yes, coconut water is an excellent choice for a fever. It is a natural source of electrolytes, especially potassium, and is effective for hydration, making it a healthy alternative to sugary sports drinks.

For children, water, diluted 100% fruit juice, or oral rehydration solutions are good options. Infants under 6 months should only have breast milk or formula. Always consult a pediatrician, especially for younger children.