Over the last few of years I’ve made it a goal to replace my beverage of choice from soda to water. I admit it wasn’t easy at first, but with a few tricks, I’ve found that water can be tastier and much more refreshing than any soft drink out there. One of the easiest ways to pump up the flavor in H2O is by adding fruits, vegetables, and herbs to produce infused water. It’s easy to make, and you can add any ingredients you like. Organic fruits are best, but not a necessity (just make sure to thoroughly wash the fruits first before adding them into the water.) You can easily control the intensity of the flavor by adding as little or as much fruit as you want.
Here are a few of my favorite summertime recipes:
Grapefruit Cucumber Water
Ingredients:
Pitcher of ice cold filtered water
One large grapefruit, cut into slices and then halved
Two small cucumbers, cut into slices
Directions:
1. Combine all ingredients in a pitcher and put in the fridge for 2-24 hours to allow the water to infuse. You can also squeeze some of the grapefruit juice into the water to intensify flavor a bit.
2. Serve cold.
Raspberry Lemon Mint Water
Ingredients:
Pitcher of ice cold filtered water
Two lemons, cut into slices
A handful of raspberries
A small handful of mint leaves, scrunched
Directions:
1. Combine all ingredients in a pitcher and put in the fridge for 2-24 hours to allow the water to infuse. You can also squeeze some of the lemon juice and muddle the raspberries to intensify flavor a bit.
2. Serve cold.
Blueberry Orange Water
Ingredients:
Pitcher of ice cold filtered water
Two oranges, cut into slices
A handful of blueberries
Directions:
1. Combine all ingredients in a pitcher and put in the fridge for 2-24 hours to allow the water to infuse. You can also squeeze some of the orange juice and muddle the blueberries to intensify flavor a bit.
2. Serve cold.
Watermelon Kiwi Mint Water
Ingredients:
Pitcher of ice cold filtered water
Two slices of watermelon, cut into cubes
Two kiwis, cut into slices
Directions:
1. Combine all ingredients in a pitcher and put in the fridge for 2-24 hours to allow the water to infuse.
2. Serve cold.