Posca Hydrate is the OG Sports Drink – 2,000 years in the making and reimagined for modern, active and health-conscious consumers. Its ancient wisdom meets modern science. 

The ancient Roman world relied on ‘Posca’– a drink that’s been hydrating Gladiators and replacing sweat since 200BCE.  

Posca Hydrate is the FIRST sugar-free hypertonic drink in Australia. Posca Hydrate delivers sustained hydration and enhanced electrolyte retention through its hypertonic formulation and the addition of four essential electrolytes.   

With the addition of red wine vinegar, Posca Hydrate is high in antioxidants and boasts health benefits.     

Posca Hydrate was first created by our co-founder Merrick Watts in mid-2021, after discovering the story of Posca and the original recipe for himself during his deep research into the history of wine through the ages. 

As a fitness nut and someone who passed the gruelling selection on SAS Australia in 2020, as well as holding a fascination for liquid formulations through his work as a wine expert, Merrick was intrigued by Posca. So intrigued by how simple the Posca recipe was and the story of how it fuelled ancient armies that he had to give it a go himself - mixing it up on the kitchen bench and running physical trials to test effectiveness.   

While Merrick’s very first batch of Posca Hydrate was of course legendary, it wasn’t yet perfect. Undeterred, he could see something special in the simplicity of the ingredients - red wine vinegar (a natural hunger suppressant, rich source of antioxidants, and blood sugar regulator), mineral salts (a source of key electrolytes needed for hydration) and some basic natural flavouring (in ancient times this would have been honey and mountain herbs).  

Over the next three years, Posca Hydrate was put under scrutiny and critiqued by other drinks industry experts and developed to ensure its premium taste and quality, Merrick leaning into his expertise in liquid formulations and comprehensive understanding of balance in beverages through his work in wine.  

Posca was invented more than 2,000 years ago. The ancient Roman world relied on Poscato quench the thirst and replace the sweat of all people, from gladiators to aristocracy to peasants. The recipe was a combination of salt, red wine vinegar, water and herbs made for a healthy, safe, and replenishing drink.

Posca Hydrate is unique because it’s a modern take on an ancient recipe, backed by medical and scientific evidence.   

Born from ancient wisdom, Posca Hydrate is the reinvention of 'Posca', a red wine vinegar based, stimulant-free hydration drink of the ancient world, reimagined in a range of nostalgic and exotic flavours. With its unique balance of minerality and tartness, the thirst quenching, sugar-free hypertonic formulation offers a new take on sports drinks. Posca Hydrate is what the modern-day warrior is drinking. 

Posca Hydrate has been developed to support sustained hydration - no matter of a person’s athletic ability or activity levels. Posca Hydrate is a sparkling hydration sports drink for post-activity or moments of sweat - whether that’s a work-out, during a day in the sun at the beach, refuelling at a music festival or for a 3pm pick-up at the office when you’re battling brain fog.     

We also know that a lot of the traditional sports drinks on the market are not as healthy as they claim to be, even if they are sugar-free. We’ve gone back to the ancient world for inspiration and reinvented the OG sports drink with Posca Hydrate. It’s a hypertonic formulation that’s a healthier option with zero sugar, stimulants or artificial ingredients, and it delivers sustained hydration.

Posca Hydrate was first created by our co-founder Merrick Watts in mid-2021, after discovering the story of Posca and its original recipe during his deep research into the history of wine through the ages.  

As someone who is into their health and fitness – and who passed the gruelling selection on SAS Australia in 2020 - Merrick saw a gap in the market for an alternative sports drink that didn’t contain sugar, artificial ingredients, or stimulants.     

The creation of Posca Hydrate happened over a three-year period. Merrick’s expertise in liquid formulations and comprehensive understanding of balance in beverages through his work as a wine expert meant that the quality and taste of Posca Hydrate was paramount. Over the years, Posca Hydrate has been put through the same scrutiny and critiquing as one would expect from a wine, both in Australia and overseas.    

While Merrick is also known for his comedy and humour, Posca Hydrate is definitely no joke, and a product that he takes very seriously – as seriously as he took on the gruelling selection process on SAS Australia. 

Under the Food Standards Australian and New Zealand code, formulated supplementary sports foods refer to foods and drinks which are designed to assist sports people in achieving specific nutritional or performance goals. Such drinks are intended to supplement the diet rather than be a sole or principal source of nutrition.

Definitely not. Posca Hydrate is a sparkling hydration sports drink with a hypertonic formulation, and 100% sugar and stimulant free, with no artificial ingredients.   

Energy drinks typically contain large amounts of caffeine, added sugars, additives and other stimulants like guarana, taurine and l-carnitine. While these sorts of drinks typically increase energy, heart rate and alertness, they also tend to induce an ‘energy drink crash’ which occurs once the effect of the drink wears off, and stimulant and sugar levels in the body decrease.     

Our Posca Hydrate delivers a uniquely invigorating rejuvenation – without a crash, without sugar, without stimulants, without regrets.  

Hydration also plays a crucial role in enhancing productivity. With better hydration, you are more productive - particularly in work settings, more alert and engaged, and less likely to experience fatigue.   

Yes, Posca Hydrate is the OG sports drink – 2,000 years in the making and now reimagined for modern, active and health-conscious consumers.   

However, Posca Hydrate is not your traditional sports drink given its no nonsense ingredient list and the addition of four essential electrolytes and red wine vinegar. We like to refer to ourselves as a hydration sports drink; a drink that can be reached for post activity (any activity) to rehydrate and stay hydrated (sustained hydration).

Hydration sports drinks like Posca Hydrate are not intended to be a replacement for water and designed to be consumed in conjunction with a healthy diet and lifestyle. 

It’s not what has been put into Posca Hydrate that makes it a unique sparkling hydration drink but what’s been purposely left out – all the nasties, no sugar, no artificial ingredients and no stimulants.   

Posca Hydrate contains four key essential minerals (or electrolytes) and red wine vinegar – a rich source of antioxidants as well as offering a host of other benefits – including gut, liver and immune health. Together - and backed by clinical studies - the minerals and red wine vinegar support sustained hydration - meaning Posca Hydrate rehydrates you and keeps you hydrated over a longer term - and provides several other health benefits.  

Posca Hydrate is also gluten and preservative free, and vegan friendly.   

Full list of ingredients: Carbonated Water, Red Wine Vinegar, Natural Sweetener, (Erythritol), Natural Flavours, Acidity Regulator (Citric Acid), Minerals, (Magnesium Sulphate, Calcium Carbonate), Trisodium Citrate, Potassium Citrate, Natural Colour.

Posca Hydrate is 100% caffeine free.

Good news - Posca Hydrate is Australian owned and made, with over 95% of locally sourced ingredients.

Posca Hydrate contains Erythritol which is a natural fermented sweetener. It is derived from nature, and it is not synthesised. Erythritol is found in fruits including pears, melons and grapes, but typically produced from corn.

Posca Hydrate is manufactured in Australia. The liquid is formulated and canned in Victoria. 

Posca Hydrate cans are 100% recyclable.

Posca Hydrate is available nationally at major and independent convenience stores and petrol stations as well as select gyms and fitness centres in 330ml can. Posca Hydrate is also available online at Poscahydrate.com in 12-pack for $59.

Posca Hydrate delivers sustained hydration and enhanced electrolyte retention through its hypertonic formulation and the addition of four essential electrolytes and red wine vinegar.

Posca Hydrate, with its sugar-free hypertonic formulation and the addition of electrolytes and red wine vinegar, can help fight mid-afternoon brain fog through increased brain blood flow and better blood sugar regulation.  

Posca Hydrate delivers a uniquely invigorating rejuvenation – without a crash, without sugar, without stimulants, without regrets.

As you pick up a can of your favourite Posca Hydrate, some of you eagle eyed warriors may notice a warning on our cans. Posca Hydrate's unique recipe currently falls under the category of Formulated Supplementary Sports Drink (Australia New Zealand Food Standards Code). By law, it must carry the warning that the product is not suitable for children under 15.

As you pick up a can of your favourite Posca Hydrate, some of you eagle eyed warriors may notice a warning on our cans. Posca Hydrate's unique recipe currently falls under the category of Formulated Supplementary Sports Drink (Australia New Zealand Food Standards Code). By law, it must carry the warning that the product is not suitable for pregnant women. 

As you pick up a can of your favourite Posca Hydrate, some of you eagle eyed warriors may notice a WARNING on our cans, which we must legally have for two very good reasons... 

1) It contains NO SUGAR. 

2) It contains BUBBLES. 

If Posca Hydrate added one and a half teaspoons of sugar per can (6.6g to be precise) we would be classified as an "Electrolyte Drink". If Posca Hydrate didn't have its delightfully refreshing bubbles, it would be a "Formulated Beverage", which is any ready to drink, water-based beverage that contains vitamins and minerals.  

So, while our good friends at Food Standards navigate this exciting time in Australian beverage innovation, we want to assure anyone who is targeted by our warning, that by removing sugar and adding bubbles, we actually have your best interests at heart. And we love a challenge. 

Posca Hydrate delivers sustained hydration and enhanced electrolyte retention through its hypertonic formulation and the addition of four essential electrolytes and red wine vinegar.  

Given that dehydration and loss of electrolytes can be major contributors to hangover symptoms, sports drinks like Posca Hydrate, can help to restore and sustain your body’s hydration levels. 

The use of red wine vinegar for its associated health benefits can be traced back to ancient Rome, when it was used as a preservative, a medicine and of course, a key ingredient in the original Posca recipe, which dates back over 2,000 years ago.   

There are many recent clinical studies* that demonstrate the health benefits of red wine vinegar:  

• Red wine vinegar enhances gut health, and supports liver health and a healthy immune system   
• The acetic acid in vinegar, including red wine vinegar, may reduce snacking and enhance satiety (feeling full), increase fat burning and help reduce cholesterol     
• Red wine vinegar is high in antioxidants to reduce the visible signs of aging  
• Red wine vinegar has up to FIVE TIMES the antioxidants of apple cider vinegar  
• The antioxidants in red wine vinegar help increase blood flow in the brain and regulate blood sugar (to fight that mid-afternoon brain fog)

While there is no limit on how many cans of Posca Hydrate you can enjoy in a day, consumption should always be in conjunction with a healthy diet and lifestyle.  

If you have specific health concerns or conditions, it’s always a good idea to consult with a healthcare professional.