When it comes to staying hydrated, the best way is to drink water instead of reaching for caffeinated beverages, sodas, or sugar filled juices. Adding some natural flavour, and your favourite ingredients, might just make drinking water much more enjoyable. There are a number of water bottles that come with a removable strainer that allows you to add fruits, herbs, etc. to make it easier to drink. I have also seen removable strainers that you can use in cups or wide mouth water bottles. These are not necessary if you don't mid some fruit floating in your water or you can strain it once it has been infused for some time.
Another fun option is filling ice cube trays with water, berries, lemon slices, or mint and when they are frozen you can add to your water to keep cold and add flavour. Make different ice cubes and keep a container in freezer with them so that you can just reach in and grab one and enjoy the flavour of the day.
By infusing your water you are getting some bonus nutrients as well so it is a win win! Try these or use them for inspiration, whatever the case I hope it gets you drinking more water. Some of my favourites for amazing flavour are:
Lemon- natural detoxifier and can reduce bloating and fluid retention
Watermelon- high in antioxidants and great for heart health
Orange- high in vitamin c and natal sugars
Grapefruit- high in vitamin C and antioxidants. Do not use if taking blood pressure medication
Strawberries- high in antioxidants
Ginger- aids in digestion and helps reduce inflammation
Turmeric- has antibacterial properties and reduces inflammation
Mint- fresh taste, eases upset stomach,
Mango-high in antioxidants and full of nutrients and vitamins
Cucumber- hydrates body, reduces puffiness and bloating, flushes out toxins
How to Make Infused Water
1. Add fruit to the bottom of the jar
Place fruit in the bottom and press lightly with a spoon to release the flavours.
2. Add water
Add the desired amount of water to the jar and stir well.
3. Refrigerate (optional)
You can allow to rest at room temperature or in fridge for at least an hour or over night. Cover with a cloth or lid to avoid fruit flies. Citrus, and cucumbers will last 2-3 days berries and soft fruits 1-2 days. Water can be added but the flavour will not be as strong as the first infusion.
For all the options
5 Cups water (40 ounces)
Strawberry Mint Lemon
1/2 cup fresh or frozen strawberries (sliced and stemmed)
5 mint leaves
1 small lemon thinly sliced
Blackberry Orange Ginger
1/2 pint blackberries
1 small orange thinly
1 (2 inch) piece of ginger (peeled and thinly sliced)
Mango Raspberry Lemon
1 small mango peeled and chopped
1/2 pint raspberries
1/2 lemon sliced
Blueberry Basil Ginger
1/2 cup blueberries
1/4 cup basil
1-(2inch) piece ginger (peeled and thinly sliced)
Cucumber Lemon Mint
1/2 cucumber sliced
1/2 lemon sliced
10 mint leaves
Other combinations that work well together that you can add to your water vessel:
Pineapple Coconut: coconut water, pineapple chunks, a few mint leaves
Citrus: lemon slices, grapefruit juice squeezed, orange slices, mint
Berry Burst: muddle strawberry, raspberry and blueberry with a few mint leaves
Blueberry Peach: Blueberries, peach slices, slices of lemon
Tomato Basil: Cherry tomatoes, basil leaves, slice of jalapeño.
Sweet Watermelon: Watermelon, mint leaves, slices of strawberry *watermelon on its own is a great way to get in your water intake. Watermelon can be added to blender tomato make refreshing watermelon juice.
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