Infused Water: Simple & Refreshing

This summer, sip on this!

Simple and refreshing, infusing water with different fruits & herbs is a delicious way to stay hydrated and beat the summer heat. Spas commonly serve this water as a healthy flavor-infused beverage, and it has become increasing popular to make at home.  It’s also great for entertaining, as it is colorful and tasty.

Finding plain water more or less boring, my staple drink has been soda, but after being introduced to an array of infused water flavors at a recent conference, I may just be a convert. (And, the articles Grandpa’s mailed me about the harm of soda, may have nudged me as well…thanks, Grandpa!)

This really is super easy.

What you’ll need:

• A pitcher :: I love my carafe. A lot of people use 2 quart mason jars. Last time I was in Target, I even saw special infusing pitchers with a separate slotted section for your ingredients.
• Water
• Ice
• A beverage muddler (optional) :: This would be used to lightly press juices out of your fruit.
• Ingredients :: Fruits and/or herbs of your choosing.

Mint is one of the most common herbs added to infused water.  I love it so much, I bought three different varieties (sweet mint, citrus mint, and peppermint) and put them in a window box on my porch railing.  You want to keep mint in a pot as it is an invasive plant; you don’t want it to take over your garden. I don’t have a green thumb, so to me “invasive” means “I can’t easily kill it”, and I like that.

Quick and easy homemade recipes:

Directions:

For all of the recipes listed below, the instructions are quite easy.  Simply combine all of the ingredients. For best flavor, cover & chill a minimum of 2 hours before serving.  Add ice, if desired.

Note: Be sure to wash everything well. If you aren’t peeling the fruit, be sure to use organic as pesticides reside in the skins. Keeps approximately 2 days in the fridge.

Cucumber-Lemon-Mint Water

8 cups water
1/2 cucumber, thinly sliced
2 lemons, thinly sliced
6 fresh mint leaves*, lightly crushed

* Also try using basil instead of mint.
Add 2 springs of fresh rosemary for additional flavor.

 

Raspberry Mint Water | Blueberry Mint Water | Lemon Mint Water

8 cups water
1.5 cups raspberries or blueberries or lemon*, lightly pressed (blueberry version pictured at top of post)
6 fresh mint leaves**, lightly crushed

* You can replace the fruit with almost any other in this recipe…cranberries, strawberries, pineapple, you name it!
** Also try using basil instead of mint.

 

The combinations are limitless. Most of the time, simple = delicious. Try blends of any of these fruits & herbs:

Here are some additional recipes to get you going:

Raspberry Lime Water

8 cups water
2 limes, sliced or quartered
1 cup raspberries, lightly pressed

Citrus Water

8 cups water
1 lemon, sliced or quartered
1 lime, sliced or quartered
1 orange, sliced or quartered

Orange Lavender Water

8 cups water
2 oranges, sliced or quartered
4 sprigs fresh lavender

Watermelon Rosemary Water

8 cups water
2 cups watermelon, cubed
2 fresh rosemary sprigs

Let me know if you have a favorite combination not listed here.  Enjoy!!