One or more embodiments presently described are directed to drilling fluid compositions that include lubricants, methods for making the drilling fluids, and methods for drilling subterranean wells utilizing the drilling fluids. According to one embodiment, a drilling fluid composition may include a base fluid including water, a weighting agent in an amount of from 0.1 weight percent (wt. %) to 75 wt. % relative to the total weight of the water-based drilling fluid, and a lubricant in an amount of from 1 wt. % to 10 wt. % relative to the total weight of the water-based drilling fluid. The lubricant may include one or more alkyl esters and a fatty acid blend including one or more medium-chain fatty acids. The one or more medium-chain fatty acids may be at least 50 wt. % of the fatty acid blend.