The key to a happy body = hydration. The key to happy hydration = flavored water! Making fresh and sugar free flavored waters at home is a great way to trick your household (including yourself) into drinking more water AND an easy way to save money and avoid bottle waste. Here are some tasty flavored water recipes that will keep them coming back for more!

Step 1: The Good(s)

There are tons of great ways to jazz up water. You almost can't go wrong when picking a fruit or grabbing a fresh herb. I'm going to share my favorite three recipes, and then offer a list of other suggestions to try in the last step.

Cucumber / Mint / Ginger Water

1/2 half of a peeled cucumber (field or English)
12 - 16 mint leaves (stems removed)
3 slices of ginger (optional)

Orange / Pineapple / Rosemary Water

3 slices of a navel orange (rinds on)
2 slices of fresh pineapple (skins cut off) or 1/2 of a can of pineapple pieces
one sprig of rosemary (optional)

Strawberry / Coconut Water

3 medium sized organic strawberries
1 can of unsweetened coconut water
few pinches of stevia (optional)

You will also need:

a cutting board
a chopping knife
a long handled wooden spoon
glass or plastic jugs with lids

Step 2: Cucumber / Mint / Ginger

Cucumber / Mint / Ginger Water

1/2 half of a peeled cucumber (field or English)
12 - 16 mint leaves (stems removed)
3 slices of ginger (optional)

Peel your 1/2 cucumber and cut it into thin slices.

Remove the mint leaves from their stems and pile them in the palm of your hand. Give them a couple of good whacks. (like horizontal clapping!) This releases the flavor.

Cut 2-3 slices of ginger if you'd like to add a bit of spice to the mix.

Put all the ingredients into one of your jugs and use the end of the wooden handle to muddle them.

If you're making more than this one recipe, set this one aside and move on to the next step. If not, skip to step 5.

Step 3: Orange / Pineapple / Rosemary

Orange / Pineapple / Rosemary Water

3 slices of a navel orange (rinds on)
2 slices of fresh pineapple (skins cut off)
one sprig of rosemary (optional)

Wash a navel orange and cut off the end, then cut three nice thick slices. Cut each slice into quarters.

Cut off the end of your fresh pineapple (preferred over canned) and cut two thick slices, then remove the skin. Chop into small sections. (like pictured)

For the adventurous taste buds out there, remove the needles from a small rosemary spring to add to the mix.

Put all the ingredients into one of your jugs and use the end of the wooden handle to muddle them.

If you're making more than this one recipe, set this one aside and move on to the next one. If not, skip to step 5.

Step 4: Strawberry / Coconut

Strawberry / Coconut Water

3 medium sized organic strawberries
1 can of unsweetened coconut water
few pinches of stevia (optional)

Cut three washed organic strawberries into slices and put into one of your jugs, using the end of the wooden handle to muddle them.

Open your coconut water and empty it into the jug.

If you'd like to add a bit of sweetener, I recommend stevia, which is derived from a plant and better for you than processed sugar. A few pinches is plenty!

Step 5: The Home Stretch

Now that you have your ingredients all muddled and tucked away in their jugs, it's time to add the water. I'm a huge fan of still (tap) water, but these would also be delicious if you used sparkling water instead.

If you like ice in your drinks, add a handful of ice to each jug, then fill them up with water.

Stir.

Put the lids on and place the jugs in the fridge. They taste best after spending a day infusing in the fridge. (If you can wait that long!)

These will be good for up to a week if kept in the fridge and you can refill with water at least two more times before having to start over with fresh ingredients. The taste will lessen with every refill, but will still be delicious and more exciting than plain water.

Here are a few more flavors to try:

lemon + orange
grapefruit + mint
strawberry + basil
ginger + lemon
lemon + basil
cucumber + lemon + mint

If you have your own recipe that you love, please share it in the comments section below! And if you do try one of mine, please hit the 'I Made it Button'!

Happy hydrating!

1 Person Made This Project!

nancylemosreis made it!

Recommendations

How to Make Brown Sugar With 2 Ingredients by In The Kitchen With Matt in Dessert

25 4.7K

Homemade Snickers by In The Kitchen With Matt in Candy

125 6.9K

Rainbow Galaxy Carrot Cakes by curlmoohi in Dessert

1 77 5.1K

Cartoon-Style Birthday Cake by kura_kura in Cake

121 11K

For the Home Contest
Make It Bridge
Game Design: Student Design Challenge

24 Comments

cperry19

Question 4 years ago

is this done with 1gal of water?

Harleyuki

7 years ago

Always wanted to do this with just cuke. Last night I sliced a whole one into a carafe of filtered water, let it rest in the fridge for 24 hours... Delicious like it is, smells great too!
Thank you for your suggestions, it's also good to know that I can use the same cuke slices again!

duje.vjesnica

8 years ago on Introduction

strawberry and carrot

graham641

8 years ago on Step 5

What a clever idea! We have so many fruits in Peru that I have yet to learn the names of all of them. The possibilities are endless. Thank you

WonjoonP

8 years ago on Introduction

looks good!

heilanladdie

8 years ago on Step 5

Thanks for these recipes. A favourite of mine is sliced apple and a cinnamon stick. It's supposed to be a natural detox and energy drink.

Omnitus

8 years ago on Introduction

My only question is where to get those jars? I don't have any good containers to make these. And I think my first try will be the classic and unbeatable Lemon + Lime. Just can't go wrong with that.

kdavidson8

8 years ago on Step 4

You realize sugar is also derived from plants? And Stevia, while calorie free, is heavily processed also? That being said, I think this is my favorite combo of the three... I adore coconut!