If you struggle to drink enough water throughout the day, try one of these easy recipes for Fruit-Infused Water. Made with fresh fruit and herbs, Fruit Flavored Water is a simple way to make drinking water much more enjoyable!
While I always start my day with a homemade latte and I love sipping on Mint Lemonade on a hot summer afternoon, the main source of my hydration comes from water. But given that the average person should consume a minimum of 8 glasses of water a day, plain old water can get boring fast.
My number one way to combat this is to make fruit-infused water. The process of making infused water couldn't be easier, and flavored water goes down a lot easier! Not to mention, there is something about drinking infused waters that makes me feel all fancy.
how to infuse water
- Add fruit and/or herbs of your choice to a 32-ounce clean glass jar.
- Gently muddle the fruit and herbs a bit with the back of a spoon to help release natural flavors.
- Cover with filtered water.
- Refrigerate for 3 hours before enjoying.
How to Store Fruit-Infused Water
Infused water should be stored in the refrigerator in a glass container and consumed within 48 hours of preparation. After that the water can become bitter and/or the fruit starts to break down and become mushy.
What You Need to Make Fruit-Infused Water
- Water: If you have well water, hard water, or tap water that has an aftertaste, use filtered, or distilled water for the best results.
- Glass Jar: You do not need a special infusion water bottle to infuse water, but I do suggest using a glass jar, such as a mason jar, as some types of plastic can leach flavors into the water.
- Fruits: Melons, berries, kiwi, and citrus fruits are all good options. Apples, pears, and peaches do not seem to do well in terms of infusing water with flavor. And I love the flavor of cucumbers (yes, cucumbers are technically a fruit!)
- Herbs (optional): If you would like add herbs to your fruit-infused water for another layer of flavor. Lavender, cilantro, basil, mint, fresh ginger, and cinnamon sticks all add a beautiful flavor to infused waters.
Flavored Water Combinations
While there are limitless variations of fruit-infused water recipes, use these infused water recipes to guide and inspire you. And then mix and match flavors to your hearts content!
- Blackberry Mint Infused Water: This blackberry mint flavored water is my favorite infused water flavor! It screams freshness and brightness from the mint and yet with a subtle blackberry flavor. It is a lot like a blackberry mojito, without the alcohol.
- Blueberry Orange Infused Water: The sweet blueberries and tart fresh oranges make this fruit-flavored water sing with flavor.
- Lemon Lime Infused Water: I recommend using both sliced lemons and sliced limes to create water that is incredibly refreshing and filled with the essence of fresh citrus.
- Strawberry Cucumber Infused Water: The combination of the crisp freshness of cucumbers with the sweetness of the strawberries is incredibly refreshing.
∗ Helpful Tips for Making Infused Water ∗
- Clean everything! Whatever jar or pitcher you use to make the infused water, be sure they are well-cleaned. That goes for the fruit, vegetables, and herbs as well.
- To peel or not to peel? Kiwi and melon must be peeled before using them to infuse with water. Citrus fruit that is often zested, doesn't need peeled. In fact, their peels impart HUGE flavor.
- Slice fruit for more flavor. Keep in mind that slicing fruit will impart more flavor to the water itself. Small berries can be left whole.
- Don't use frozen fruit. I don't recommend using frozen fruit when making infused water as it will not release as much flavor and can break down easily in the water.
- Make Multiple Infusions. Once you reach the halfway point of the infused water, you can opt to refill with water and chill again, repeating the process for up to 2 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 Smoothie
- Coconut Vanilla Coffee Creamer
- Tropical Kale Smoothie
- Blueberry 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 about 10 mint leaves
- 4 cups filtered water
Lemon Lime Infused Water
- ½ large lime sliced
- ½ large lemon sliced
- 4 cups filtered water
Strawberry Cucumber Infused Water
- ½ cup strawberries hulled and sliced
- ½ cup cucumber sliced
- 4 cups filtered water
Blueberry Orange Infused Water
- ¼ cup blueberries
- 1 large 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 filtered water and place in refrigerator for at least 3 hours.
- Enjoy within 48 hours for best results. Keeping in mind that after 24 hours, you may want to remove the fruit and herbs to prevent the water from becoming bitter.
Angela
Loved the precise information and formulas. Worth the time in reading.
Kim
I like strawberry, lemon, and mint in my water or I do lime,orange, and lemon. So you have any ideas on
using kiwi? I love it but it has no flavor in the water
Kristen Chidsey
Hi Kim! Honestly, the best way to infuse kiwi into water is to blend peeled kiwi with water and then chill.
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.
Katherine
So I am just now getting started with infusing water and I actually just made one with oranges and lemons and it’s in the fridge for the night . My doctor suggest I drink more water and I’m not a fan of plain water so I tho it hit I would try this . When I get it out in the morning do I need to remove the fruit ? I’ve read so much and honestly I’m a little confused lol maybe someone could help ? Thanks !
Kristen Chidsey
Hi Katherine! This is a great way to increase your water intake. I would remove the oranges and lemons so that water does not get bitter after 24 hours.
tracey m walker
can you mini cucumber for drink too
Kristen Chidsey
Absolutely! Enjoy Tracey!
Zainab
I would
Love to try Making fresh fruit with water idea
For work or in college
Caleb Kehler
When i infused lemon, strawberry, mandarins, and raspberries my water has now started to ferment after three days even after drinking all of the water and replacing it with new water four times. Is it safe to keep drinking if it’s fermenting?
Kristen Chidsey
If you believe your water is fermenting, I would suggest throwing away.
Cynthia Moss
My absolute favorite water to make is strawberry and basil! Basil is just so refreshing to me!!!! Mmmm I’m going to go make some now! Lol I’ve never tried the blackberry and mint ice always done blackberry and sage which also makes a great lemonade.
Mariah
Love the ideas and flavors
Trevor
These infused waters are the best ways to vegetate while having a fruitful experience!
Lumina
Try a blood orange combination. Any kind of berry would be good with it really. Blood oranges are only available from december to late February in most places. The orange is this pretty red and nice and sweet.
Anj
GREAT tips
DELICIOUS recipes
CLEAR directions and notes
THANK YOU FOR SHARING
Myra
I tried the orange and blueberry one and it was delicious 😋 I used frozen blueberries and left it in the fridge overnight 🤤
Kristen Chidsey
So glad you enjoyed Myra!