Infused Water, made with fresh fruits and herbs, adds delicious flavor to water without any added sugars or artificial ingredients. If you struggle to drink enough water throughout the day, Fruit Flavored Water is a simple, healthy way to make drinking water much more enjoyable.
There is something about drinking infused waters that makes me feel all fancy.
But the truth is, there is nothing fancy or complicated about making flavored waters at home.
The process is simple and adding natural flavor to water helps me get excited about drinking water--not to mention my kids are much more inclined to drink Fruit-Flavored water over plain water.
Important Tips for Making Infused Water
- Glass is best. You can use any food-grade storage container, but I do find that glass works best, as some plastic can leach flavors into the water.
- Clean everything! Whatever jar or pitcher you use to make the waters, be sure they are well cleaned. That goes for the fruit, vegetables, and herbs as well. Everything needs to be well rinsed, to remove any residue or dirt.
- Filtered water is best. If you have well-water, hard water, or tap water that has an aftertaste, use filtered, or distilled water for the best results.
- Refrigerate for at least 3 hours. While you can enjoy your flavored water as soon as 30 minutes after preparation, it is best to let the flavors infuse for at least 3 hours. After 3 hours the water will have had time to be infused with the flavors. If you want really fruity and tangy water, wait 12 hours before enjoying it.
- Muddle the ingredients. It is best to mix up or muddle the fruit and herbs with the back of a wooden spoon before placing it in the refrigerator to help release the flavors into the water.
- Prevent bitterness. When using citrus fruits, like oranges, lemons, or limes from citrus, the water can become bitter from the peel. Prevent this by either removing the rinds BEFORE infusing the water or removing the citrus after infusing for 4 hours.
Fruit-Infused Water Combinations
While there are limitless variations on naturally infused waters, I am sharing with you my 4 favorite variations of flavored waters.
Strawberry Cucumber Water
If you have not tried cucumber in your water yet, don't knock it. Cucumber-infused water is incredibly refreshing. The sweetness of the strawberries pairs perfectly with the crisp freshness of the cucumbers to make Strawberry Cucumber Flavored Water.
Lemon Lime Water
Yes, this Lemon Lime Flavored water is a classic.
However, by allowing the water to sit with the whole fruit slices in the fridge, the lemons and limes truly allow their essence to infuse the water, making it one of the more refreshing versions of Lemon Lime Flavored waters you have ever had.
I will say I only suggest using ½ of a lemon and ½ of a lime for 4 cups of water. Lemons and lime have much higher potency and flavor water more dramatically than most other fruits. Therefore, it makes the most sense to make at least 8 cups of citrus-flavored water and use the whole lime and whole lemon.
Blueberry Orange Water
Blueberry Orange flavored water is by far my husband's favorite homemade infused water. The sweet blueberries and tart fresh oranges make this water sing with flavor. In fact, I had to remake this Orange Blueberry Fruit Infused water 3 times before I could snap a photo--every time I walked away from it, he was drinking it.
Blackberry Mint Water
My favorite cocktail ever is a Mojito. And in the winter months, I drink peppermint tea around the clock.
I love mint in beverages! Throw blackberries in the mix and YUM! Blackberry Mint Infused Water is MY all-time favorite way to drink water. It screams freshness and brightness from the mint and yet with a subtle blackberry flavor.
FAQs on Flavored Water
Homemade Infused Waters will last up to 3-4 days in the refrigerator. Just keep in mind you may want to remove the fruits and herbs after 24 hours so they do not break down and leave the water bitter.
YES! You can double, triple, or quadruple the recipes as desired.
I don't recommend using frozen fruit, as it will not release as much flavor and can break down easily in the water.
Yes, but the water will not be as potent or flavorful. It is best, to add water to the container once you reach the halfway point so that the flavorful water mixes and imparts some flavor to the new water. You can repeat this process for up to 3 days. Fruits with strong flavors, such as lemon, pineapple, and orange, are best for multiple infusions. Fleshy fruits, berries, and melons are not well-suited to multiple infusions, as they break down quickly.
More Delicious Beverages
- Pina Colada Smoothie
- Chocolate Peanut Butter Protein Smoothie
- Coconut Vanilla Coffee Creamer
- Tropical Kale Smoothie
- Mango Smoothie
- Mint Lemonade
The options for homemade flavored waters are LIMITLESS. I would love to know if you have a favorite combination. Share in the comments so we all can be inspired.
Fruit Infused Water
Ingredients
Blackberry Mint Infused Water
- ¼ cup fresh blackberries
- 2 small sprigs fresh mint or one large sprig
- 4 cups fresh water
Lemon Lime Infused Water
- ½ lime sliced
- ½ lemon sliced
- 4 cups filtered water
Strawberry Cucumber Infused Water
- ½ cup strawberries sliced
- ½ cup cucumber sliced
- 4 cups filtered water
Blueberry Orange Infused Water
- ¼ cup blueberries
- 1 orange sliced
- 4 cups filtered water
Instructions
- Place the fruit and/or herbs of your choice into a clean glass jar with a lid or a glass pitcher.
- Muddle (or break) up the fruit and herbs a bit with the back of a spoon to help release natural flavors.
- Cover with 4 cups of tap or filtered water and place in refrigerator for at least 3 hours, or 12 hours for really flavorful, tangy water.
- After 24 hours, remove the fruit and herbs to prevent the water from becoming bitter.
- Store in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
CJ
Cover with 4 cups of tap or filtered water and place in refrigerator for at least 3 hours, or 12 hours for really flavorful, tangy water.
After 24 hours, remove the fruit and herbs to prevent the water from becoming bitter.
So is i 3-12 hours, or 24hrs? I can't seem to find this anywhere. I'm making strawberry lemon infused water. Trying to figure out how to do it properly.
Kristen Chidsey
Hi CJ. You want to wait at least 3 hours but 12 hours is best.
Julie Briare
Anyone have an opinion on the water filters that are built into refrigerators? My fridge dispenses water on the front.. as well as ice cubes. Do these filters count as good water filters?
Kristen Chidsey
I replace my refrigerator filter every couple of months as instructed per the manual. I do have a whole house filtration system on top of this, which I feel is superior.
SAC
What do you do with the fruit after drinking the water? That might seem like a strange question but it doesn't flavor the water as well after using it and I hate throwing it away.
Smoothies are one idea I have thought of but would love other ideas.
Kristen Chidsey
Honestly, I would discard or eat myself. The fruit has little flavor left after sitting in the water.
Reginia Sam
Thanks for these recipes. We also have the soda stream machine which makes excellent sparkling water which I will use with the fruit recipes.
Kristen Chidsey
That will be delicious!
Angela Grilliot
Have you made any with ginger? I would love a flavor combination using this...I have infused water JUST with ginger, but would love other ideas.
Thank you!
Kristen Chidsey
I have combined ginger with lemon and LOVED it.