DH loses a lot of salt on rides and can't stand the sugary-sweetness of most sports drinks. He has had good luck with Emergen-C for replacing electrolytes after rides.

But he has also found that he needs to have something during a ride to prevent muscle cramps, so he will do 1/2 Gatorade + 1/2 water. It's enough to keep his electrolytes & hydration up without feeling like he's taking too many sugary calories.