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Infused water recipes add a delicious and refreshing twist to an otherwise boring glass of plain, unflavored H2O.
Besides adding flavor to your drink, an infusion of fruits and herbs also provides additional nutrients and health benefits.
You know the importance of staying hydrated but the idea of drinking glass after glass of tasteless beverage can be tedious. Drinking infused water is one of many ways to stay hydrated without water.
What’s more, infused water offers several benefits in addition to helping you stay hydrated.
Making infused water is surprisingly easy. There are endless combinations of fruits, herbs, and spices that you can use to create unique and delicious flavors.
As you scroll below, you’ll find 25 infused water recipes for a fun, healthy and refreshing way to stay hydrated.
Scroll further down to find tips for choosing the best fruits for infused water and a few precautions you should know.
But first…how to make fruit-infused water
How to Make Infused Water
Making infused water is surprisingly easy.
Wash your selected fruits, vegetables, and herbs and cut them into medium-sized pieces.
There’s no fixed ratio of herbs or fruits for making infused water. You can add more or less of each ingredient depending on your preferred taste.
Add the ingredients to an infused water pitcher or any large glass jug.
While you can use any glass jar, I highly recommend using an infused water pitcher. A pitcher for infused water is designed to let you enjoy the benefits of your botanical beverage without letting any pulp, seeds, or fibers get into your mouth.
If you’re making just enough to carry on the go, add the fruits and herbs into an infused water glass.
Fill the infused water pitcher or any large glass jar with water.
Keep the jar in the refrigerator for at least 2 – 3 hours to allow the flavors to infuse.
After 3 – 5 hours, remove any fruits or herbs from the infusion to prevent them from going bad and spoiling the infused aqua.
The longer you let the ingredients steep in the water, the stronger the flavor of the beverage.
You can drink the botanical beverage after 2 to 3 hours or let sit overnight in the refrigerator (without the fruit and herbs) and drink it the next day.
25 Recipes For Infused Water Using Fruits & Herbs
The recipes for infused water are divided into 5 sections. Each section focuses on one main ingredient.
You’ll find a short write-up on the flavor profile and benefits of the ingredients in each recipe. This will help you decide which one to try.
The first 4 groups include ideas for infused water with two ingredients.
The last 5 are ideas for infused water with three ingredients.
1-5: infused water with lemon
6-10: Infused water with cucumber
11-15: Infused water with watermelon
16 – 20: Fruit-infused water with a tropical twist
21-25: Infused water using 3 ingredients
5 Recipes For Infused Water With Lemon
Drinking flavored beverages with lemon helps increase hydration and aid in digestion.
Lemons are rich in vitamin C and antioxidants, and their tangy flavor pairs well with a variety of other fruits and herbs. Drinking infused water with lemon gives you the benefits of hydration as well as vitamin C.
1. Lemon and Lavender: Lemon adds a citrusy zing to this infused water recipe, while lavender flowers provide a subtle floral aroma. The result is a delicate floral flavor that is both refreshing and relaxing.
2. Lemon and Blueberry: This combination is rich in antioxidants and vitamin C. Lemon adds a bright and zesty taste, while antioxidant-rich blueberries add a subtle sweetness to this refreshingly tart infusion. Blueberries are rich in antioxidants, Vitamin C, and fiber, which boost overall health and wellness.
3. Lemon and Strawberry: The sweet and tangy flavor makes this a hugely popular infused water recipe. Lemons provide a tangy flavor and vitamin C, while strawberries are high in antioxidants and add a sweet flavor.
4. Lemon and Mint: Lemons are high in vitamin C, while mint has a cooling effect and can aid in digestion. This is a refreshing, hydrating combination that also helps soothe the stomach.
5. Lemon and Ginger: Ginger is a natural anti-inflammatory and is known for its ability to support digestion. The combination of lemon and ginger gives this beverage strong anti-inflammatory and immune-boosting properties.
5 Recipes for Infused Water With Cucumber
Cucumbers are rich in water and antioxidants, making them the perfect addition to infused waters for summer. They add a crisp cucumber freshness to any infusion.
Combining cucumber with fruits such as lemon, strawberry, and watermelon provide a delicious and refreshing alternative to plain H2O.
Mint and ginger add a refreshing and invigorating element to the beverage, while also providing additional health benefits such as anti-inflammatory properties and aid in digestion.
6. Cucumber and Lemon: This refreshing combination makes it a great summer drink! Both ingredients also work to aid digestion. Lemon is high in vitamin C and has detoxifying properties.
7. Cucumber and Mint: The combination of cucumber and mint is cooling, hydrating, and ultra-refreshing. Mint has anti-inflammatory properties and can aid in digestion. This is a fantastic botanical beverage to reduce inflammation and boost digestion.
8. Cucumber and Strawberry: This sweet and refreshing combination is rich in antioxidants and vitamin C. Strawberries are high in antioxidants and add a sweet flavor to this refreshing infused water recipe.
9. Cucumber and Ginger: The combination of cucumber and ginger makes this a classic detox water recipe. Ginger gives the drink strong anti-inflammatory properties. It also helps soothe digestive issues.
10. Cucumber and Watermelon: A classic infused water recipe for summer – refreshing and hydrating. Watermelon is rich in vitamins A and C, as well as antioxidants.
5 Recipes For Infused Water With Watermelon
Watermelon is the quintessential summer fruit – hydrating and rich in vitamins A and C, as well as antioxidants. These properties make it one of the best fruits for infused water recipes.
Combining watermelon with herbs such as mint and basil or fruits such as lime and strawberry provides delicious and refreshing alternatives to plain water.
11. Watermelon and Mint: This combination of watermelon and mint is deliciously refreshing and hydrating. Mint has a cooling effect, making this the ideal infused water recipe for peak summer days.
12. Watermelon and Lime: The tart, citrus flavor of lime acts provides the perfect contrast to the sweet taste of watermelon. With both fruits rich in vitamin C, this is an excellent recipe for boosting the immune system.
13. Watermelon and Strawberry: This sweet and refreshing combination is packed with antioxidants and vitamin C.
14. Watermelon and Basil: Basil adds a sweet herbaceous flavor for a unique-tasting beverage. Basil is known for its anti-inflammatory properties and may also aid in digestion
15. Watermelon and Rosemary: Rosemary has powerful anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. It adds a subtle savory flavor to the basic watermelon-flavored H2O. This combination is hydrating and can help reduce inflammation.
5 Infused Water Recipes With Tropical Flavors
Tropical fruits such as pineapple, mango, papaya, and guava give any infusion a sweet and refreshing flavor, while citrus fruits like lime and orange add a tangy and refreshing element.
Additionally, many of these tropical fruits are high in vitamin C and antioxidants, providing a boost of nutrition in every sip.
Coconut water is a great addition to infused water recipes as it is rich in electrolytes, which help prevent dehydration.
16. Coconut and Lime: Rich in Vitamin C, Lime adds a tangy, citrus flavor and Vitamin C goodness to the sweet nutty flavor of coconut water.
17. Passionfruit and Orange: This tangy tropical beverage with a sweet and sour taste is rich in antioxidants and Vitamin C.
18. Pineapple and Basil: The herbaceous basil flavor provides a nice contrast to the sweet juicy pineapple flavor, resulting in a drink that’s uniquely refreshing. This combination is rich in anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties.
19. Coconut and Pineapple: This tropical infusion is a delicious thirst quencher on a hot summer’s day. Pineapple is rich in enzymes that aid digestion as well as Vitamin C, which helps boost the immune system and protect against illnesses. Coconut water provides natural electrolytes, which help to hydrate the body and prevent dehydration.
20. Guava and Pineapple: The combination of two tropical fruits rich in Vitamin C and antioxidants make this a powerhouse recipe. Pineapple also contains enzymes that aid in digestion.
5 Infused Water Recipes With Three Ingredients
21. Blueberry Lemon Rosemary: Blueberries are packed with antioxidants, lemon adds a bright, citrusy flavor, and rosemary is a natural anti-inflammatory herb with a slightly piney flavor.
22. Strawberry Lime Mint: Strawberries are a good source of antioxidants and vitamin C, while lime adds a tangy, citrus flavor and mint gives a cooling, refreshing taste.
23. Orange Thyme Blackberry: Oranges are high in vitamin C and thyme is a natural antibacterial herb with a slightly earthy taste. Blackberries add a sweet, fruity flavor.
24. Pineapple Basil Cucumber: Pineapple is rich in vitamin C and bromelain, which can help with digestion and reduce inflammation. Basil adds a sweet, slightly spicy flavor, and cucumber provides hydration and a refreshing taste.
25. Raspberry Mint Lime: Raspberries are rich in antioxidants and fiber, mint adds a refreshing flavor, and lime gives a tangy, citrus taste.
Want more infused water recipes? You’ll find plenty more in these recipe books:
Best Herbs And Fruits For Infused Water
When choosing ingredients for infused water, it’s important to select fruits, vegetables, and herbs that are fresh and at peak ripeness.
Avoid using fruits or vegetables that are overripe or too soft. These generally do not infuse as well and could cause the botanical beverage to spoil more quickly.
The best fruits for infused water are cucumbers, watermelon, berries such as blueberries, strawberries, and raspberries, and citrus fruits such as lemons, limes, and oranges.
The best herbs are mint, basil, and rosemary.
Once you have the basic ingredients, you can also experiment with different flavor combinations to find your favorite. Every infused water recipe offers different nutritional benefits depending on the fruits and herbs used.
Creative Ways To Serve Infused Water
Replacement for Soda – Infused water using sparkling water is a healthy replacement for sweet, sugary sodas. Put medium-sized pieces of apple and lemon in your infused water bottle and top it up with carbonated spring water. Refrigerate for 1 hour to allow the flavors to infuse, and serve over ice and a lemon garnish.
Party Pleasing Drink – Everyone that goes to a party isn’t looking to drink and get drunk and stumble home. Many people today want to enjoy a party without damaging their health. Use a gallon-sized infused water pitcher. Add chopped berries, cherries, lemon, and orange. Let them steep all night. Serve in chilled glasses and offer fruit garnishes too.
Digestion Starter – Before you go to bed, steep lemon slices in water in your infused water bottle and let it sit all night. Sip this drink in the morning before you eat anything else or have that first mug of coffee. Drinking infused water with lemon first thing in the morning on an empty stomach helps kick-start your digestion.
Infused Water Precautions
While botanical beverages are generally safe to drink, there are a few precautions you should keep in mind.
Wash all fruits, vegetables, and herbs thoroughly to get rid of any dirt, pesticides, or bacteria that may be present on the surface.
Use fresh ingredients only. Produce that is overripe, too soft, or kept in storage for too long will give your infusion a strange taste. It will also spoil faster.
Don’t overdo it. Flavored aqua is meant to help you stay hydrated but plain water still reigns supreme. Drinking excessive amounts can lead to problems caused by an electrolyte imbalance.
Keep fruit-infused beverages refrigerated to prevent bacterial growth and ensure freshness. You can store this fruity beverage in the refrigerator for up to three days.
Avoid adding sugar or artificial sweeteners that can cause a spike in blood sugar levels and contribute to weight gain. Most recipes contain fruits such as berries, watermelon, citrus fruits, and tropical fruits that add a natural sweetness to the drink.
There are also specific infused water recipes specifically designed for different health goals, such as detoxification or immune system support.
FAQs
Can I use any type of water to make my infusions?
The quality of the water you use can have an impact on the taste and quality of your drink. Using filtered water removes any impurities or chemicals that may affect the flavor, while alkaline water can help balance the pH levels in your body.
Using tap water is also perfectly fine as long as it’s safe to drink.
Q: Can I add carbonated water to make infused water?
A: Yes, you can add carbonated water to infused water recipes to create a refreshing and bubbly beverage. However, it is important to note that the carbonation may cause the fruits and herbs to break down faster, leading to a shorter shelf life.
Q: Can I reuse the fruits and herbs used in infused water?
A: Not, you shouldn’t reuse the fruits and herbs that you’ve already steeped in water. For one thing, they’ve already released their flavors and nutrition into the first botanical beverage so they won’t contribute anything to a second infusion. Secondly, there is a higher potential for dangerous bacterial growth when the fruit is steeped in water for extended periods.
Flavored H2O is a refreshing and healthy way to stay hydrated and add some flavor to your daily water intake. With a variety of fruits, herbs, and spices to choose from, the possibilities for infused water recipes are endless.
Try experimenting with different combinations and find your favorite flavors. Not only will it keep you hydrated, but it may also offer additional health benefits.
Whether you’re looking to detoxify, boost your immune system, or simply enjoy a tasty drink, give infused water a try. Your body will thank you!
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Disclaimer: This information is not intended to serve as medical advice. Please consult your doctor before using any natural medication or if you experience any unusual symptoms. See Full Disclaimer here.
