You might want to research traditional lacto-fermented drinks. Most
traditional societies do not drink plain water, they nearly all have some
kind of naturally fermented drink. These drinks are highly nutritious,
because the fermentation process concentrates the nutrients, unlike our
preservation methods, like refrigeration, which degrade the nutrients.

"Throughout the world, these lactic-acid containing drinks have been valued
for medicinal qualities including the ability to relieve intestinal problems
and constipation, promote lactation, strengthen the sick and promote overall
well-being and stamina. Above all, these drinks were considered superior to
plain water in their ability to relieve thirst during physical labor. Modern
research has discovered that liquids containing dilute sugars and
electrolytes of minerals are actually absorbed faster and retained longer
than plain water. This research is used to promote commercial sports drinks
that are merely high sugar concoctions containing small amounts of
electrolytes. But natural lactic-acid fermented drinks contain numerous
valuable minerals in ionized form and a small amount of sugar, along with
lactic acid and beneficial lactobacilli, all of which promote good health in
many ways while at the same time cutting the sensation of thirst"
    Both soft drinks and alcoholic beverages -- and even plain water-are poor
substitutes for these health promoting beverages. Taken with meals they
promote thorough and easy digestion of food; taken after physical labor they
give a lift by replacing lost mineral ions in a way that renews rather than
depletes the body's reserves. The day when every town in America produces its
own distinctive lacto-fermented brew, made from local products of woods and
fields, will be the day when Americans see the dawning of a new age of good
health and well being. as well as a new era of economic vitality based on
small scale local production rather than large scale monopolistic control of
the food processing industry."

Nourishing Traditions, Fallon and Enig, p 584

Sounds like good stuff to me!

There's a bunch of these things, like ginger ale, apple cider, rice milk,
kvass, kombucha, etc.
Is this paleo? Native americans certainly made these drinks (spruce beer,
e.g.,), and all sorts of herbal teas, and they were stone age, so I think
paleo people probably would have too.

Charles
San Diego, CA