Healthy and Refreshing: Infused Water Recipes to Try

fruit and jug water

Tired of plain, old water? Jazz it up by infusing it with fruits, vegetables, herbs, and spices too! Not only does it make for a refreshing, tasty and colourful drink, it is also a healthier alternative to soda and other sugar-laden fruit juices and beverages found on the shelves.

Studies have shown that drinking water boosts metabolism. Infused water packs a lot of natural flavours with virtually no calories, and a great way to boost one’s vitamin intake while hydrating and detoxing the body.

The good news is, it is so easy to prepare using ingredients that are typically pantry staples and readily available in the local market. Just cut up some fruit and vegetable of your choice and put it in a bottle or pitcher, then add clean drinking water to it. Though you can drink it right away, it is ideal to let the mixture sit for a few hours in the fridge for optimum flavour.

Some of the most common ingredients used for water infusions include:

  • Lemon
  • Lime
  • Orange
  • Apple
  • Strawberry
  • Mint
  • Basil
  • Cucumber
  • Cinnamon
  • Ginger

With the wide variety of fruits available year-round, there’s a hundred different possible combinations to try.

Here’s a list of popular infused water combinations.

  • Lemon with mint
  • Lemon and cucumber
  • Apple with cinnamon
  • Lemon and raspberry with mint
  • Lemon and cucumber with mint
  • Orange, lemon and lime

Speaking of infused water being a pretty drink, why not serve this during brunch or an intimate afternoon snack with friends and family? For a vintage feel, layer slices of citrus fruits, cucumber, and sprigs of mint in mason jars and put in a straw. It is definitely a good conversation starter and a sure way to add colour and interest to your meal!