We all know that drinking plenty of water is vital to our continued existence. However, many of us fall way short on meeting the minimum daily requirement. I don’t know about you, but I personally don’t really like plain water. That’s why I loved infused water so much! It encourages you to drink more, while also delivering fantastic health benefits. Read on to learn all about them, plus grab some tips & recipes!
Benefits of Infused Water
Infused water is water that you naturally flavor with different fruits, herbs and even veggies. Basically, you add your ingredients to plain water, then leave it in your fridge for a few hours (or longer). The ingredients release their flavor and nutrients into the water, making it both tasty and healthy. Let’s check out some of the benefits.
FYI, this post includes some affiliate links. If you buy through them, I get a small commission at no extra charge to you.
Hydration
Just about any liquid can hydrate you. Yep, even coffee and soda, contrary to popular belief. That said, pure water is still the best way to rehydrate. For those of us who don’t like plain water, though, infused is the next best thing. It has plenty of flavor without all the sugar or additives found in soda or the caffeine in coffee.
Helps keep your appetite in check
Another great benefit of drinking infused water- it can reduce the appetite. If you’re struggling with your weight (who isn’t these days?), switching to infused water just might help. Water alone helps fill you up. In fact, half the time when we think we’re hungry, we’re really just thirsty! However, with added natural flavors, you’ll also help satisfy your body’s cravings without the adding any calories or fat.
Reduces toxins
As with plain water, drinking infused water also helps your body process and flush toxins, which in turn can help you feel better from head to toe.
Improved immune system
The nutrients found in the herbs, fruits, and veggies in infused water, may help to boost the immune system. This may help reduce your risk of catching a cold or virus. If you do still get hit with a bug, a great immune system will help you fight it off.
Great for your mind, too!
All of these benefits can help give your mind a boost, too! You’ll feel naturally great, have more energy, and get more done. That alone can give you a sense of accomplishment and help boost your mood.
These are just some of the potential benefits of drinking infused waters. Of course, the exact health benefits depend on what you put in your water.
How to Make Infused Water
Sure, you can buy infused water in the grocery store, but making it is incredibly easy (and a whole lot cheaper). Plus, since you’ll be using fresh ingredients, it’s healthier overall.
Grab your supplies
While you don’t need special supplies to make infused water (you can just throw everything in a pitcher, then strain the water out later if you want), there are a few things that make your life easier. I have a mason jar with an insert, but I’m actually thinking about springing for this pitcher (pictured above) because it lets you make 2 quarts at once. Some other ideas that I like (the last one is so expensive because it is “smart”)
Typically, glass is your best option since it doesn’t soak up flavors, but if you’re planning to take your water on the go, BPA-free plastic is fine, too.
Choose your ingredients
First things first, decide what you want to put in it. Remember, you can use pretty much any type of fruit, veggie, or herbs and in any combination. So, think about what you’re hoping to get out of your infused water. More energy? Go with refreshing citrus! Relaxation? Toss in some lavender and chamomile. A mental boost? Go with peppermint!
You’ll want to use the freshest ingredients possible, regardless of what you choose. Also, slice fruits and veggies into small or thin pieces, they’ll infuse the water better and faster. For some ideas, keep reading after the “step-by-step” guide to check out the best fruits and veggies to try.
Use cold water
Once you have your ingredients, it’s time to prep your water. The key is to use cold water, as hot breaks down the veggies and fruits too quickly, leaving behind a gloppy goopy mess. Remember, we’re not making a tea here, we’re infusing water.
Give it time
While you can theoretically infuse water with flavor and nutrients in about half an hour, I highly recommend leaving it go longer. Most people say two hours is plenty of time. However, I like a stronger flavor, so I make mine at night and leave it in my fridge until the next day.
While those are the basics, here’s a step-by-step guide:
- Step 1 – Fill a pitcher or glass with water, then grab your ingredients.
- Step 2 – Gently mash up the ingredients before adding them to the water.
- Step 3 – Leave to infuse for at least 2 hours, preferably longer.
- Step 4 – Strain and enjoy!
Best Fruits, Herbs and Vegetables to Make Infused Water
Pretty much all fruits and vegetables can be infused to create delicious recipes. However, some are more popular than others.
Best fruits to use
Fruits are the easiest ingredients to use in infused water, and definitely the most delicious. Just about anything goes, but, some are better to use than others in terms of health benefits.
Apples- Packed full of iron and low in calories. They also keeping you feeling fuller for longer. Try different types for different flavors!
Blueberries- They are packed full of powerful antioxidants and are naturally sweet (as long as you use ripe ones). Even kids like them! They are also one of the easiest fruits to use as they require no preparation. Just stick them in the water as they are.
Lemon -. Known for its detoxifying properties, lemon infused water is extremely good for the health. It is a particularly great fruit to use in morning infused water drinks, helping to detoxify the body while boosting energy levels.
Others that I love:
- Orange
- Watermelon
- Strawberries
- Limes
- Kiwi
These are just a few of the best fruits you can use to create your healthy infused waters. Like I said, anything goes!
Best herbs
With herbs, again, just about anything goes…as long as it’s safe for human consumption, of course. However, please remember that some herbs interfere with medications, so talk to your doctor first if you have a preexisting condition. As far as the best herbs to infuse go, try these:
Ginger – Adds a spicy, warm taste to the water. Fantastic for detoxifying the body. It also has great anti-inflammatory benefits, alongside great benefits for the digestive system.
Sage- Can help your brain to become sharper and more alert. May also help to improve memory. Wards off evil spirits. Kidding! Kind of… Hey, there’s a reason witches are always burning sage!
Parsley- Contains high level of vitamins and nutrients. It also has powerful anti-inflammatory benefits. Combine this with its anti-fungal and anti-bacterial properties and you have a very healthy infused water ingredient.
Other favorites:
- Mint
- Lavender
- Chamomile
- Rosemary
- Basil
Best vegetables to use
I personally do not like vegetables in my water (or anywhere, for that matter). However, like herbs and fruits, just about anything goes if you DO like them. Some veggies are better to use for their health benefits than others, though.
Carrots -High in Vitamin A and carotene, these delicious veggies are great for your eyesight and skin. They go well with a number of fruits too, adding a sweeter taste to infused waters.
Beets – They antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. These are slightly messier to work with, but they do pack some powerful benefits.
Spinach, sweet potato and broccoli are some other great veggies you can use according to people who will actually eat them. Me? I’ll stick with fruits and herbs, thank you very much.
Infused Water Recipes
Need some infused water recipe ideas to get you started? Try these!
Lemon infused water
The easiest energy boosting infused water recipe, is simply lemon. While you can add numerous other ingredients to boost its health benefits, lemon infused water alone is extremely effective at boosting energy levels.
Out of all of the different fruits, this one is also considered one of the healthiest due to its low sugar content. It will also help the body to detox, flushing out harmful toxins.
All you need is a lemon and water for this one so why not make this your beginner infused water recipe? It only takes around 20 minutes to create too as the lemon doesn’t need to be infused for hours to receive its benefits.
Cinnamon orange water
If you’re looking for a sweeter infused water recipe, cinnamon orange water is ideal. You don’t need many ingredients for this one, just one orange and two cinnamon sticks should suffice for one drink.
Orange and citrus fruits are well known for their energizing benefits. The addition of cinnamon also gives the drink healing powers. Cinnamon is known for its antibiotic and antioxidant properties, great for cleansing the body.
Ginger lime infused water
Another energizing recipe you’ll want to try is ginger lime infused water. You can stick to using just ginger and lime, or you can add a little mint for a more refreshing taste.
Ginger has a really powerful taste and it contains a high level of antioxidants. It also contains enzymes which help to promote healthy bowel movements. It can also promote blood circulation, making you feel naturally more awake. The lime also helps to boost your alertness, while delivering a healthy dose of Vitamin C.
Strawberry and lime water
Ideal for hot sunny days, this strawberry and lime water is a refreshing and energizing drink. Containing strawberries, lime and mint, the micronutrients within these ingredients dissolve into the water and aid in detoxification.
If you use ripe strawberries, you’ll also find this is a very sweet drink, suitable for the whole family. You’ll just need a cupful of strawberries, one lime and a few mint leaves.
Pineapple and orange water
Fancy a tropical style energizing drink? This pineapple and orange water recipe is sure to be a big hit on hot sunny days.
Both oranges and pineapples contain a high level of Vitamin C. They also have anti-inflammatory, digestion and immune system benefits. You don’t need a lot of these ingredients to create a two-liter bottle. Just combine one orange, half a cup of pineapple, two cups of ice and some water.
It’s best to leave this water to infuse for around an hour in the refrigerator before drinking.
Lemon and mint water
When it comes to energizing ingredients, lemon is one of the best. The addition of mint takes balanced out the tangy flavor of the lemon, creating a more refreshing drink. Plus, mint always chases away my brain fog!
You’ll need three lemons. Squeeze one directly into the water, and slice up the other two to infuse. Then, add in a few sprigs of mint and let it do its thing!
Blueberry Kiwi
One of the more unusual flavor combinations is this blueberry and kiwi infused water. You’ll need around half a cup of blueberries and a couple of kiwis thinly sliced. You can also add a few mint leaves for a refreshing twist.
This water is great for the brain and it also provides powerful digestive benefits too.
Here are some others that I love from fellow bloggers:
- Grapefruit Mint Infused Water from Delicious on a Dime
- Strawberry Mint Infused Water from Creative Green Living
- Detox Lime Infused Water from Thrifty Jinxy
- Rose, Lemon & Strawberry Infused Water from Wallflower Kitchen
- Watermelon Coconut Fruit Ice-Cubes from Raising Whasians (add it to your plain water for instant infusion, or to other infusions that complement the flavors))
- Strawberry Kiwi Water from Eating Richly
- Cranberry Lemon Infused Water from Wondermom Wannabe
- Pomegranate Mint Water from Live Eat Learn
- Blood Orange and Thyme Infused Spa Water from Mom Foodie
- Fresh Strawberry Water from Masala Herb
- Cucumber & Mint Infused Water from Wholefully
These great infused water recipes should give you plenty of inspiration to get started. All of the recipes are easy to create and can provide fantastic benefits when consumed daily. You can also do your own research to find the healthiest ingredients to use in infused waters. Just remember to pay attention to the infusion times for best results.
Last update on 2025-01-15 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
