I have only tried Gatorade once and I did not like the taste. Perhaps the wrong flavour or not watered down but I could not do a ride with that taste in my mouth. Powerade is another that I have tried and the red or neutral colour is to my liking but the blue one is disgusting.
If I am just out on a short ride- then I use water but with just a taste of cordial in to take the taste of the plastic bottle away. If I am on a harder or longer ride- then I use an additive called Leppin. (A long chain carbo hydrate mix) There are a variety of flavours and I settled on one I like but That was not available last time out and finished up with Lemon/ pinapple and this is not bad. The one I use is Energy boost and I normally use it at 5 Spoonfulls per litre of water. Just below what is recommended but it give me all the electrolites I need for a ride. However for a gruelling ride- it is 10 spoons per liter, and as I have found out- you mix it well.
You do need a boost of salts and something else on a long or hard ride- but there are many different additives out there. You just have to find the one you like.
Just a warning- Take a second bottle of plain water if you use any of these drinks. Energy drink over the head to cool you down- attracts the Wasps and doesn't help in cuts either.
www.leppin.com