If you ride firmly on the bike and you are new to cycling- You will know when you are thirsty. By that time it is too late as you will be de-hydrated.

I take several new riders out and I always have to tell them to drink. I make a point of stopping about 10 minutes into a ride and making them drink. As they gain more experience- they start sipping as they go. Not much at a time but frequently. I have a rule of 1 bottle per hour when riding but hot weather or high exertion and that will be at least 1 Litre per hour.

You can get additives that are protein based or Carb based and probably lots of others but the one to get is one that is Isotonic. It has essential salts in it that aid thirst quenching and the salts "Supposedly" stop cramps. They come in all flavours so find one that you like.