10 Survival Drinks to Stockpile Before the Water Runs Out

Summary

The video’s main message is to prepare for water emergencies with drinks that are safe to use and consume them in an order that avoids waste. A tap may still run during a “do not drink” order, and boiling may not make contaminated water safe. The video cites Toledo, Ohio’s 2014 water advisory as an example.

Ten drinks to consider

1. Sealed, commercially bottled water — The essential reserve for drinking, mixing medicine, and other needs. The video cites Ready.gov’s recommendation of at least one gallon per person per day for several days, with two weeks as a longer-term goal if space allows. Store it in its original sealed container in a cool, dark place away from chemicals.
2. Shelf-stable juice boxes or cans — Choose 100% juice in small packages to avoid leftovers spoiling after opening. Use juice alongside water, not as an all-day substitute, since it can be high in sugar.
3. Vegetable or tomato juice — Provides fluid and some food, but many versions are high in sodium. Choose low-sodium options when possible.
4. Shelf-stable milk — UHT milk can be stored unrefrigerated until opened. Smaller cartons are practical during an outage. Protect cartons from freezing and rotate them by their dates.
5. Coconut water — A sealed source of fluid and variety, but it is relatively expensive and is not a medical rehydration solution.
6. Ready-to-drink broth — Provides fluid and warmth without needing water or heating. Many broths are salty, so consider low-sodium versions.
7. Liquid from canned fruit and vegetables — Drink the liquid from fruit packed in juice. Vegetable canning liquid is often salty, so use it in soup or cooking rather than drinking it straight. Discard cans that are bulging, leaking, or badly dented at the seam.
8. Ready-to-drink nutritional shakes — Can provide a no-cook meal for someone who is ill or struggling to eat. Check expiration dates. People with diabetes or kidney disease should ask a doctor which products are suitable.
9. Oral rehydration salts (ORS) — Intended for fluid loss from vomiting or diarrhea. Mix each packet with exactly the amount of clean water stated on the package and follow its storage and discard instructions. Sports drinks are not the same as ORS. Ask a pediatrician in advance about products and dosing for children.
10. Tea and instant coffee — Useful for comfort, especially in a cold home, but treat them as optional drinks made with leftover water, not as replacements. The video also cautions that caffeine and alcohol can increase the body’s need for water.

Suggested drinking order and preparation tips

• First: Use refrigerated drinks and foods that may spoil, such as opened juice and milk, while they are still safely cold. Keep the refrigerator door closed between trips.
• Next: Use shelf-stable drinks that already contain fluid, such as juice boxes, UHT milk, broth, and canned-fruit liquid.
• Then: Use stored tap water before the sealed commercial reserve, if it was safely collected and stored. The video says homemade stored water should be replaced every six months.
• Keep sealed bottled water as the reserve for situations where other sources are unsafe. Do not ration drinking water unless authorities instruct you to; drink what you need.
• Store water somewhere cool, dark, and accessible. Consider the weight of large containers and avoid locations that would be difficult to reach during an outage.
• In cold weather, remember to drink regularly even if you feel less thirsty. The video suggests a simple routine: a glass with meals, one mid-morning and mid-afternoon, and a warm drink at night.
• Powdered milk, drink mixes, bouillon, and cocoa may be useful when water is available, but they require water to prepare and therefore do not add to a limited water supply.
• A home water heater, pipes, and freezer ice may contain water. The video cautions that gas or electricity must be turned off before draining a water heater.

Low-budget starter list

For a modest initial budget, the speaker suggests starting with sealed water, small juice boxes, a few cans of fruit packed in juice, and ORS packets. Add shelf-stable milk, broth, and nutritional drinks later as budget allows.

Health cautions

Severe dehydration, confusion, inability to keep fluids down, or other serious symptoms require urgent medical help. People with diabetes, kidney disease, heart failure, or fluid or salt restrictions should consult a clinician about which drinks are appropriate.

Notable locations, products, and speakers

• Toledo, Ohio: The video describes the August 2014 “do not drink” advisory after microcystin was detected in the treated water.
• Products and sources mentioned: Ready.gov guidance, USDA food-safety guidance, WHO oral rehydration solution, UHT milk, coconut water, nutritional shakes, and ORS packets.
• Speakers: Cole Merritt, the video’s host, and an unnamed beverage-delivery driver from Northwest Ohio referred to as “Aussie.”