after your suggestions and more research i purchased gookinaid - hydralyte.

it has the electrolytes i feel i need and it is manufactured to be absorbed through the stomach walls into the blood vessels rapidly - something other products don't even mention.

the taste is pleasant - orange this time. and has no aftertaste.

yesterday was the first field test. 7 miles rt with 2000' up and 2000' coming down... 85 - 90F. no clouds, sporadic breeze. i carried two 100 oz hydration bladders - one with straight water and one with gookinaid. i used most of the h20 and approx 2/3 of the gookinaid. no cramps, lots of sweating, no severe thirst. didn't have to follow with water to remove any overly-sweet taste.

all in all i'd say it performed as advertised and i will continue to use it during the hot summer months.