The Hiker's Nutritionist

Thorzt electrolyte sachets have been around for years and I’ve taken them on countless hikes. I chose them for whatever reason a long time before I started studying nutrition and it was only a few months ago that I realised I’d never actually considered if they were an optimum choice.

So, I grabbed the full range of flavours and sat down for a taste test and review to find out how they stack up.

First up, who is Thorzt?

THORZT is an Australian brand specializing in hydration solutions tailored for individuals working in heat-stressed environments. Founded by four elite athletes, including Olympians, the brand was developed to address the specific hydration needs experienced during intense physical activity.

Their motto is ‘Hydrating Hard Work’ and their electrolytes are used everywhere from the hiking trail to mine sites. Electrolytes aren’t their only product offering, they also have drink bottles, hydrating icy poles, hydration packs, and resources.

This is all sounds great but how in the heck do you pronounce ‘thorZt’? Very irritating name!

Thorzt Solo Shots 99% Sugar-Free Electrolytes Review

Flavours: Blue Lemonade, Lemon Lime, Orange, Tropical, Wild Berry
Sachet weight: 3g
Serving: 600ml water + 3g sachet
Pack quantity: 50 x 3g sachets
Dietary considerations: Gluten-free, caffeine-free, 99% sugar-free
Key electrolytes: Sodium, Potassium and Magnesium
Additional vitamins: B-group, C-group,  L-Glutamine and essential Branch Chain Amino Acids (BCAA)
RRP: $64.15 (But I routinely get them from Snowy’s for about $45)

Thorzt Solo Shots 99% Sugar-Free Electrolytes Taste Test

Thorzt Solo Shots Blue Lemonade

Ingredients: Thortz electrolyte mineral blend (sodium chloride, magnesium citrate, potassium chloride, zinc oxide), Citric Acid, Thortz Blue Lemonade Flavour, Thortz Amino Blend (Beta Alanine, L-Glutamine, L-Carnitine, L-Tartrate, BCAA), Thortz Vitamin Blend (Vitamin C, B3, B1, B6, B12), Sucralose, Guar Gum, Colour: Brilliant Blue, Maltodextrin.

Aroma

This one has a very subtle artifically sweet bubblegum aroma. It’s very weak and I had to stick my nose inside the top of my drink bottle to actually smell it, but it’s just there. It’s a similar intensity of aroma to the Orange flavour.

Flavour

This definitely doesn’t taste as blue as it looks. (There’s a sentence I never imagined writing down). It is almost flavourless cordial. Just like I was struggling to smell anything, I also struggled to taste anything in this drink.

While relatively flavourless, it is refreshing – and tastes cooler than the Orange and Wild Berry flavours. This is most likely due to the citrus.

Overall score (0=terrible, 5=best): 3/5

Thorzt Solo Shots Lemon Lime

Ingredients: Thorzt electrolyte mineral blend (sodium chloride, magnesium citrate, potassium chloride, zinc oxide), Citric Acid, Thortz Lemon Lime Flavour, Thortz Amino Blend (Beta Alanine, L-Glutamine, L-Carnitine, L-Tartrate, BCAA), Thortz Vitamin Blend (Vitamin C, B3, B1, B6, B12), Sucralose, Guar Gum, Colour: Sunset Yellow, Brilliant Blue, Maltodextrin.

Aroma

Is it possible for a drink to smell green? Because this one does. If you grew up with Coles Homebrand Icy Poles in the freezer then picture a green one – this smells exactly like one of those. Must be using the same flavouring or something.

Flavour

This has a distinct lemon-lime flavour that’s quite sharp, with a significant edge. It’s more refreshing than the Blue Lemonade flavour but the sharpness of the flavour may put some people off. I didn’t particularly like it.

Overall score (0=terrible, 5=best): 2/5

Thorzt Solo Shots Orange

Ingredients: Maltodextrin, Thortz Orange Flavour, Citric Acid, Thorzt electrolyte mineral blend (magnesium citrate, sodium chloride, potassium chloride, zinc oxide), Thortz Amino Blend (Beta Alanine, L-Glutamine, L-Carnitine, L-Tartrate, BCAA), Thortz Vitamin Blend (Vitamin C, B3, B1, B6, B12), Sucralose, Guar Gum, Colour: Sunset Yellow.

Aroma

The Thorzt Solo Shots Orange flavour smells sweet and sugary. Hard to detect any flavour.

Flavour

The best way to describe this one is to imagine weak orange cordial. It’s not sweet. It’s not salty. It’s refreshing enough, but nowhere near as refreshing as the Blue Lemonade flavour. It’s a bit meh, easily forgettable. I’ll finish it happily enough but it’s not one that I’d go out of my way to drink.

Tastes much better cold than lukewarm (admittedly lukewarm water is mostly how it’s consumed on a hike once the heat of the day starts warming up your water bottle so this is good to bear in mind).

Overall score (0=terrible, 5=best): 3/5

Thorzt Solo Shots Tropical

Ingredients: Thorzt electrolyte mineral blend (sodium chloride, magnesium citrate, potassium chloride, zinc oxide), Citric Acid, Thortz Tropical Flavour, Thortz Amino Blend (Beta Alanine, L-Glutamine, L-Carnitine, L-Tartrate, BCAA), Thortz Vitamin Blend (Vitamin C, B3, B1, B6, B12), Sucralose, Guar Gum, Colour: Sunset Yellow, Maltodextrin.

Aroma

This one has a very, very weak botanical scent. But you really have to inhale it strongly to get a whiff so it’s almost non-existent.

Flavour

This one feels thicker and smoother than the others and has a tangy mild fruity flavour. It doesn’t have the punchiness of the Wild Berry but it’s easily the second most intense in terms of flavour.

Overall score (0=terrible, 5=best): 4/5

Thorzt Solo Shots Wild Berry

Ingredients: Thorzt electrolyte mineral blend (sodium chloride, magnesium citrate, potassium chloride, zinc oxide), Acidity Regulator (Citric Acid), Thortz Wild Berry Flavours, Bulking Agent (Maltodextrin), Sweetener (sucralose), Thortz Vitamin Blend (Vitamin C, B3, B1, B6, B12), Thickener (Guar Gum), Thortz Amino Blend (Beta Alanine, L-Glutamine, L-Carnitine, L-Tartrate, BCAA – Leucine, Isoleucine, Valine), Colour: Red Ponceau.

Aroma

This has a strong and sweet artificial raspberry smell. It smells a lot sweeter than the Orange flavour.

Flavour

This one tastes ever so slightly salty but mostly sweet with a raspberry candy flavour. It’s quite delicious and very moreish. This is typically the flavour that disappears from the bulk variety pack the fastest.

Out of the selection of flavours it has the highest intensity of flavour.

Overall score (0=terrible, 5=best): 5/5

Thorzt Solo Shots Electrolyte Nutritional Analysis

A typical Thorzt sachet contains sodium, potassium, magnesium, and calcium, the primary electrolytes lost through sweat. It also includes a small amount of sugar for flavour. Here’s a quick breakdown:

Pros

1. Electrolyte Balance: Sodium is included to replace sweat losses, crucial for maintaining fluid balance and preventing cramping. Potassium supports muscle function, and magnesium aids energy production and muscle contractions.
2. Low-Calorie: Minimal calories make them appealing for hikers seeking hydration without added energy intake.
3. Incorporates Zinc and Chloride: Zinc aids immune function, and chloride partners with sodium for fluid balance.
4. Convenient Packaging: Lightweight sachets are easy to carry and prepare on the trail.

Cons

1. Low Magnesium, Sodium, and Potassium: Depending on sweat rates, magnesium, sodium, and potassium amounts may be inadequate for those with heavy sweat losses over prolonged periods.
2. Artificial Ingredients: Each flavour is made using artificial sweeteners, colourings, and flavours that could have been avoided by using more natural ingredients.

Nutrition Information Panel

Creating Flavour

Thorzt flavors are created using a mix of natural and artificial flavors, along with sweeteners like sucralose. While these improve palatability without extra sugar there are healthier and more natural ingredients that could have been used.

• Natural Flavors: Generally safe and enhance enjoyment.
• Artificial Sweeteners: Sucralose is calorie-free but can cause mild gut discomfort in sensitive individuals.
• Improvement Opportunity: Using real fruit powders or natural extracts could enhance the nutrient profile while maintaining flavour integrity.

Could Thorzt Solo Shots Be Better?

While Thorzt electrolytes hit the basics, some improvements could make it more beneficial for hikers:

• Add More Sodium: For thru-hikers in hot conditions or doing very long days, higher sodium (400–1000 mg per serving) would better match sweat losses. Of course, you can always take more than one serving per day to get around this.
• Boost Potassium: Increasing potassium content (to around 150 mg) would better support muscle recovery.
• Reduce Artificial Flavours: Natural flavourings have come a long way and they sure taste better than the overly artificial ones.

*Note: a reason the sodium, potassium, and magnesium levels are relatively low is that you can take multiple of these sachets in one day depending on how active you are. Given the name is ‘Solo Shots’ I’m evaluating these as if you’re consuming just one for the day.

Thorzt Solo Shots Electrolyte Consumption Recommendation

Day Hikes (10km):

• One sachet mixed with 600mL water is sufficient for most conditions, consumed during or immediately after the hike.
• Ideal for replacing moderate sweat losses without overloading on sodium or sugar.

Thru-Hikes (7+ Days, 20km/Day approx.):

• Use 1–2 sachets per day, especially in hotter weather or high sweat conditions.
• Pair with higher-carb snacks (like trail mix or dried fruit) for sustained energy.
• For hikes with heavy sweating or extended effort, pair with additional sodium sources like salty snacks or high-salt meals (not difficult).

Final Thoughts

These electrolytes from Thorzt might use artificial colours and flavours in order to remain 99% sugar free, but that isn’t all bad. Some people really struggle to get through water or flavourless electrolytes so if an artificial flavour makes it palatable – then it’s better than not drinking it at all. I’ve been drinking them for years and they do the job just fine.

The flavours in this range from Thorzt have been the most polarising flavours within one brand that I’ve seen so far. Normally flavour profiles are quite similar when they come out of the same place – not so with Thorzt!

In order of my most favourite to least favourite flavours of the Thorzt Solo Shots Electrolyte:

1. Wild Berry (delicious!)
2. Tropical
3. Orange
4. Blue Lemonade
5. Lemon Lime

Disclaimer

I’ve had Thorzt electrolytes in the house since I started hiking ten years ago. I paid for them and decided to review them independently of Thorzt. I protect my ability to provide you with my honest opinion because I value my integrity far more than a free breakfast. I’ll never accept payment for reviews, or free products on the contingency that I say what a brand wants.

I’ve also included an affiliate link in this article, which means that if you click through and buy a packet of Thorzt after reading this article, I’ll get a little kickback This helps me justify the countless hours I spend preparing useful content for you guys and every little bit helps!