Recipes: 17 Ways to Make Infused Water

(Ievgeniia Maslovska/Shutterstock)

By Kali Sinclair, Organic Lifestyle Magazine

There was a time when coffee, tea, soda, juice, sugary lemonade, and milk seemed to be the only beverages anyone drank if they weren’t drinking beer, wine, or some other kind of alcohol. No one drank water, not if they could help it, anyway.

Then bottled water came on the scene, and water became more popular. Of course, food companies wanted to cash in, so they made flavored bottled water and vitamin water. If you think they couldn’t mess up water, think again. If you need proof, read the labels.

Lately, infused water is all the craze. If you’ve never heard of it, infused water is simply water that contains fruit, vegetables, herbs, or spices. Whatever you put in it will infuse the water with its flavor.

The most interesting aspect to water infusions is the many choices and combinations to be made. You can use anything from sweet fruits to hot peppers.

Three Ways to Make Water Infusions

1. Simply add ingredients to a pitcher of clean, pure, water (preferably filtered) with ice. Slice fruits and veggies so they are very thin to increase surface area and increase flavor. When using herbs, squeeze or crush them to release the oils (and flavor).
2. You can make an infusion in a jar and refrigerate it for use days later.
3. Make ice cubes out of the ingredients, you want to add to the water. Use the ice with water.

Make ice cubes out of the ingredients you want to add to the water. Use the ice with water. (TreyMo/iStock)

READ MORE

• 6 Reasons To Use Flavored Ice Cubes

17 Popular Combinations

Basil is often used, and it tastes great.

• Cucumber
  • Basil
  • Kiwi
  • Citrus fruits and mint
• Honeydew melon
  • Basil—seriously!
• Watermelon
  • Berries
  • Mint or rosemary
• Pineapple
  • Strawberries
  • Mango
  • Mint
• Berries
  • Any other fruit
  • Mint
• Citrus: oranges, lemons, limes, grapefruit, tangerines, and so on
  • Combine or use alone with mint
  • Melon
  • You can peel citrus fruits to avoid their bitter flavor.
• Jalapeño
  • Cucumbers and mint
  • Strawberries
• Tomato
  • Celery and bell pepper

Watermelon with berries and mint. (Redphotographer/iStock)

Try new and outlandish combinations. You never know what amazing flavors you will create. The best thing about homemade infusions is that you know what is in them. Why not drink flavored water full of nutrients and antioxidants? They are an excellent addition to a healthy diet.