Think about it: Sleeping seven or eight hours a night is a long time to go without water. And that’s not counting other factors that might be at play — like maybe a few too many glasses of wine the night before.

So, by the time you wake up, your body is likely, already slightly dehydrated.

The good news though? This can be easily fixed.

While water is always the best option to start your day, other healthy libations can have a beneficial role.

Find out the best drinks to sip first thing in the morning for hydration, hangovers, energy, boosting your metabolism, and more.

The benefits of drinking water (at least 2 cups) first thing in the morning are plenty. Besides flushing out toxins and providing some much-needed hydration, this amount of water can increase your metabolism.

Freshen your cup with hints of vitamins

But who said your morning cup of water has to be plain? Infuse your water with lemon (or other citrus), herbs, cucumber, and fruit.

Bonus: Lemon water also provides a dose of immune-boosting vitamin C — just 1 ounce of lemon juice contains nearly a fourth of your recommended daily vitamin C intake.

Add a tablespoon of apple cider vinegar

We know even just the idea of drinking apple cider vinegar (ACV) can result in raised eyebrows, but here’s why you should. Apple cider vinegar has been proven to lower blood sugar and aid in weight loss. Initial studies also hint that ACV can help kill pathogens.

To reap the benefits of this metabolism-boosting beverage, simply mix 1 tablespoon of apple cider vinegar into your morning glass of water.

Go for sparkling or coconut

Sparkling water can be a hydrating and fun option, but just make sure you’re drinking the pure, unsweetened stuff.

Refreshing coconut water is also a good option, and packed with plenty of nutrients, minerals, and antioxidants.

Not feeling like downing H2O when you wake up? While we strongly recommend starting the day with a glass of water, here are some alternatives your body will also be okay with.

Boost your metabolism with green tea

Sipping green tea comes with several health benefits thanks to its high dose of antioxidants. One of these benefits is a big boost to your metabolism. Studies have shown that green tea not only increases metabolic rate, but can also help burn fat.

Hold off hunger with bulletproof coffee

While coffee alone has been shown to benefit metabolism, drinking a cup of bulletproof coffee first thing in the morning will provide double duty.

This is because both coffee and MCTs (medium-chain fats) have an effect on metabolism. When it comes to making bulletproof coffee, try coconut oil (a rich source of MCTs) or MCT oil, but be sure to not replace a nutritious breakfast with this delicious morning starter.

Amp up your energy with vegetable juice

If your morning caffeine just isn’t doing the trick, think about switching your cup of coffee for a glass of green juice.

Hear us out. The nutrients found in vegetables — specifically leafy green vegetables like kale and spinach — are proven to promote energy levels.

Vegetables that are especially high in iron aid in delivering oxygen to your cells and fighting fatigue head-on.

Get a cleaner buzz with Yerba mate

For a cleaner caffeine buzz without those coffee-associated jitters, consider a cup of yerba mate. This South American tea-like beverage contains an abundance of antioxidants, vitamins, and amino acids.

The unique chemical makeup of mate’s active compounds (all 196 of them!) provide a boost of sustained energy without the negative side effects.

Go big with goji berry juice

This small superfood packs a big punch. With vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, and eight essential amino acids, goji berries are one of the most nutritionally dense foods on the planet.

Start your day with a glass of goji berry juice for a dose of vitamins with a side of serious energy.

Studies have shown that drinking goji berry juice results in:

  • increased energy levels
  • improved athletic performance
  • better mental focus
  • decreased stress and fatigue

Settle your tummy with ginger tea

Ginger is a popular common cure of stomach woes, and for good reason. Sipping on ginger tea first thing in the morning can ease stomach discomfort, nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea.

To make ginger tea, add a few tablespoons of finely grated fresh ginger to a cup of boiling water and steep for five minutes.

Soothe your stomach with aloe juice

Aloe is widely known to help heal cuts, skin issues, and too much time in the sun, but this plant can be helpful for stomach issues as well.

The anti-inflammatory properties in aloe vera juice help to reduce gastrointestinal inflammation and have been proven beneficial to those experiencing IBS.

Try to drink some tomato juice

If you partied a little too hard the night before, starting your morning with a (virgin) Bloody Mary might be your answer. Tomatoes not only provide plenty of hydration (they’re 95 percent water), but have been scientifically proven to help reverse the effects of alcohol.

Sip on bone broth

While it seems that bone broth is the answer to everything these days, it can certainly help tame those hangover woes.

This nutrient-dense broth is packed with all of the electrolytes, vitamins, and minerals that your post-party body needs. The electrolytes found in bone broth (magnesium, potassium, and calcium) are great at replacing the sodium and potassium that is lost from drinking alcohol.

For a morning beverage on-the-go that’s also packed with enough substance to call itself breakfast, make yourself a simple breakfast smoothie.

Consider this vitamin-packed tomato smoothie if you’re not feeling your best self.

Want a metabolism boost? Blend this fruit smoothie with a surprising and refreshing addition of green tea.

Or choose from these four immune-boosting smoothies that are packed with fiber, vitamins, and protein.

Staying hydrated is simple with these healthy morning beverage options. But what drinks should you steer clear from?

It’s recommended not to drink soda (or other drinks high in refined sugar), energy drinks, alcohol (yes, even Mimosas!), or coffee on an empty stomach. These drinks can all be severely dehydrating and provide some unwelcome morning jitters.

From metabolism-boosting green tea to fatigue-fighting goji berry juice, which drinks are you most excited to try?


Tiffany La Forge is a professional chef, recipe developer, and food writer who runs the blog Parsnips and Pastries. Her blog focuses on real food for a balanced life, seasonal recipes, and approachable health advice. When she’s not in the kitchen, Tiffany enjoys yoga, hiking, traveling, organic gardening, and hanging out with her corgi, Cocoa. Visit her at her blog or on Instagram.