Replace sodas and sugary drinks with one of these easy recipes for infused water for a flavorful, hydrating, healthy drink!
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.
And 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 infused waters. The process of making infused water couldn't be easier, and flavored water goes down a lot easier!
What you Need
To make flavored water, the type of water and the container you use is critical. As for the herbs, fruits, and/or vegetables you add, the combinations are endless and the choice is yours.
- Water: If you have well water, hard water, or tap water that has an aftertaste, use filtered, or distilled water for the best results.
- Container: You do not need a special infusion water bottle, but I do suggest, using a glass container, as some types of plastic can leach flavors into the water. I often use a glass mason jar.
- 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.
- Herbs: Lavender, cilantro, basil, mint, fresh ginger, and cinnamon sticks all add a beautiful flavor to infused waters.
- Vegetables: There are not many vegetables I recommend using to make flavored water, but I do really love using fresh cucumber (regular or hothouse cucumber).
Flavored Water Combinations
While there are limitless variations of herb, vegetable, and fruit-infused water recipes, use these four recipes to guide and inspire you.
- Blackberry Mint Infused Water: Fresh mint and subtle blackberries are muddled together to create a ridiculously refreshing infused water. 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.
∗ important to remember ∗
- 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 infused water, be sure they are well-cleaned. That goes for the fruit, vegetables, and herbs as well.
- Filtered water is best. For the purest taste, it is best to use filtered water--even if it is just filtered from your refrigerator.
- 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, the water can become bitter from the peel. Prevent bitterness by either removing the rinds BEFORE infusing the water or removing the citrus after infusing for 4 hours.
- Use organic produce if possible. Along with flavor, the fruits and herbs can leech pesticides and chemicals into the water if you don't select organic fruit.
FAQs on Flavored Water
Homemade Infused Waters will last up to 3-4 days in the refrigerator. Just keep in mind you will 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 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.
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 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 the infused water in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
Donna
I just started drinking just water and after drinking it plan for a month I told my husband I needed lemon or i woulded stick with it. It's hard and the reason I did it was cause I was drinking on average I would drink 6 diet cokes a day. So I found you site trying to figure out how to make flavers so I don't get bored, so now I can try something new. Thank you for you post
Kristen Chidsey
I hope you enjoy these waters Donna! I am so happy you found my site and this recipe.
D Smith
My favorite is orange strawberry basil. Light on the basil though because too much can be overpowering...but the right balance is heavenly.
Kristen Chidsey
Oh that does sound heavenly, thank you for sharing!
Donna Moseley
I recently bought a new fruit infused water that is very expensive. You can only get it online at this writing. I don't like drinking plain water but I love this because it only has a hint of flavor. Most people don't realize that fruit flavored waters have sweeteners in them. That's the reason I got this expensive water. Thank you for this article with recipes to make this delicious water myself. Now I know how and have all kinds of ideas. Bless you and yours!
Kristen Chidsey
Hi Donna!Yes, most fruit flavored waters have sugar or artificial sweeteners in them! I am so glad you found my ideas so you can make them at home yourself. Enjoy!
Debbie
Great way to hydrate and enjoy it. Heathy too. Love it!!
Kristen Chidsey
Yay! So happy you enjoyed Debbie.
Caramia Sommers
Hi,
Great ideas. One thing though, a minor grammar correction is needed at the end, the third bullet. It is not "once you have drank" but "once you have drunk." I drink, I drank, I have drunk. I am making flavored water daily and leaving it on the counter for all to enjoy. Thanks for the article!
Kristen Chidsey
OH yes, I will fix that error now. And glad you enjoyed.
Jordyn
Can you can these?
Kristen Chidsey
Hi Jordyn! I would not recommend that as there would need to be acid added for safety.
Hilda
My favorite is cucumber, mint, black grapes, and passion fruit pulp.
Kristen Chidsey
All delicious!
Laura Baskin
Have you used frozen blueberries or other frozen fruit for these? Thanks!
Kristen Chidsey
Hi Laura! Frozen fruit would get very soggy and discolor water. It may flavor slightly, but not as well as fresh fruit. Sorry!
Joy porter
And you don’t cut the rind off? I’m finding the citrus bitter. Any suggestions?
Kristen Chidsey
Hi Joy! We drink our waters so quickly, that no I do not have any issues with bitterness. However, every palate is different, so if you find this bitter, just remove skins first.
Kim
Thank you for sharing the ideas and pics; I tried cucumber and lemon first and today, thanks to you, I put some raspberries, strawberries and blueberries in water after reading some of your ideas and I really like it! And, since it's almost here, Happy New Year to you and your loved ones! Kim 🙂
Kristen Chidsey
I am so glad you have enjoyed what you have tried Kim. Happy New Year
Stephanie
How would I infuse watermelon essence? Do I cut off the rind? And how much would I use?
Kristen Chidsey
Hi Stephanie! Watermelon can be a bit tricky as it will get mushy and break apart in the water. You can add 1 cup to 8-10 cups water, but know that your water may have chunks of watermelon in it. Another trick is to blend up watermelon and add 1/4 cup to 1/2 cup watermelon juice to water. Hope that helps.
Theresa M Lewis
They all sound so good cant wait to drink it in tje morning just made a jar!!! Excellant idea Thank You!!!
Kristen Chidsey
You are so welcome Theresa! I hope you enjoy every drop!