Something I have been doing recently is “juicing” for liquids in my camelback. I have just made a batch up now as I am going out on the bike in 20mins.
4 apples, 4 oranges, 4 large carrots, 1 lemon, 1 beetroot, 1/2 head of celery, 1 cucumber and a good chunk of ginger, pinch of salt. All into a 3 litre camelback and top up with water
Everything apart from the oranges juiced skin and all (so I use organic). Is much more palatable than manufactured energy drinks and keeps a really level blood sugar level (not tested scientifically just6 how it feels).
If you looked at the headline macros, it probably wouldn’t be that different to an energy drink, but it just seems to be handled very differently by the body. I am quite surprised how much difference it has made to how my energy levels feel while riding, but I do wince a bit when I think of the cost.
I got the portables cook book, but I never really made anything from it, it all seems rather a lot of effort. I think a sandwich with peanut butter (non sweetened) and something else is very simple and quick.