At this point in your life, you probably know how important it is to drink water. But are you actually drinking enough of it?
If you’re skimping on the sipping because you’re bored with your beverage, you’re definitely not alone! Research shows that about 43% of adults aren’t drinking enough water. But the health benefits of drinking plenty of water are vast, from dewy skin to better digestion. So, what if we told you that there’s a way to make your water healthier and less boring too? Sound too good to be true?
We’re talking about infused water, often called spa water due to its prevalence at fancy schmancy spas, and we are seriously thirsty for these fun flavors we’ve rounded up. Switching out that soda can for infused water is a great way to shed a few pounds without dieting. Not only that, you’ll likely feel better and have more energy when you cut out excess sugar and increase your water intake. It’s a total win-win! Whether you’re looking to supplement a healthy diet, do a full body cleanse and detox, or just dig the refreshing taste, integrating spa water into your diet is a tasty, almost calorie-free way to get your daily water fix.
Even better, spa water is really easy to make. Simply pick the fruits, veggies, herbs, or even flowers you want to infuse into your water. Make sure to give them a good pre-rinse. You can peel fruits and vegetables if you desire, but it's not necessary. Cut the into small squares or slices and chuck them all into a bottle (or large carafe, depending on how much you're making) and let it soak. Patience is a virtue, as the longer it sits, the stronger the flavor will be. We suggest preparing water before bed and letting it infuse overnight.
Check out our 10 favorites below!
If you're looking for refreshing ideas...
Try any one of these infused water recipes for a refreshing burst of flavor. Perfect for any time of the year, these are especially great choices as the weather heats up for summer, since lots of these fruits are in season during the warm months.
Strawberry, Lemon and Basil
If you’re looking to give your lemon water a summertime twist, try this refreshing combination of strawberry, lemon and basil. Strawberries and basil are both signature summertime flavors, making this fruit-infused water a great choice when Mother Nature turns up the heat.
Blackberry, Orange and Mint
If you're not a big lemon fan, but still want a kick in your water, we suggest infusing it with mint, blackberry and orange. Citrus and mint make a refreshing combination that also packs a punch of vitamin C and antioxidants for an even healthier H2O.
Strawberry and Thyme
Among a veritable host of the health benefits of thyme is its natural ability to boost your mood and regulate stress hormones. This herb also contains vitamin B6, which can help ease the symptoms of morning sickness during pregnancy. Try pairing this wonder herb with strawberries for a delicious and healthy infused water.
If you want to detox and/or trim down...
Infused water for detox isn’t a new thing at all; people have been adding fruits and veggies to water as part of a cleanse regimen for ages. These recipes start with the detox powerhouses, like lemons, cucumbers and ginger, but you’ll love the fun flavor combinations too!
Lemon, Lime and Green Tea
Green tea has long been known for its ability to help with weight control by boosting metabolism and suppressing appetite. So skip the soda and infuse some green tea bags into your water along with a citrusy punch of lemon and lime for a tasty and refreshing brew. We guarantee you won’t even miss that sugar-laden beverage!
Cucumber, Strawberry and Kiwi
A cucumber may seem like one of those veggies that’s mostly just water, but that’s not actually the case. Cucumber is low on the glycemic index and contains compounds called sterols, which makes it a great choice for regulating blood sugar and boosting immunity. Add some cukes to your water along with sweet strawberries and kiwi for a drink that goes the distance when it comes to keeping your blood sugar from crashing by mid-morning.
Ginger, Cucumber, Lemon and Mint
Looking for a really good detox? Try adding ginger, cucumber, lemon and mint to your daily water intake. After all, ginger and lemon are two of the go-to foods to add to your diet when you embark on a detox, since they cleanse the liver and enhance circulation and digestion. Round out this refreshing detox drink with cucumber and mint and you’ve got one powerhouse infused water recipe!
Grapefruit and Jalapeño
Take your taste buds for a ride on the wild side with this unique infusion of grapefruit and jalapeño. Both are natural metabolism boosters, so you really can’t go wrong with this concoction! And while grapefruit can be a bit intense, it’s much more mild when it’s infused in water, making it refreshing and citrusy in this recipe. Still too much? Add a few slices of orange to sweeten things up a bit and temper the spice.
Or if you just want to feel healthier overall...
Infusing water with fruits, vegetables and herbs is a great way to up your vitamin intake, get some healthy antioxidants flowing through your body, and even benefit from the anti-inflammatory properties of some of these foods. And we’re all for snagging any extra health benefits we can!
Mango, Cucumber and Ginger
If you ask us, an infused water that enhances immunity is a total win-win. And this one definitely does the job. Not only is mango super yummy, it’s packed with vitamins A and C and lots of antioxidants, too. And ginger, with its natural antibiotic properties, pairs perfectly with the citrusy mango and subtle cucumber flavors.
Blueberry and Basil
Many health experts and naturopaths agree that inflammation is at the heart of most diseases in the U.S. today. With this in mind, give your “daily 8” an anti-inflammatory boost with blueberries and basil. It’s said that adding these and other top anti-inflammatory foods to your diet reduces cancer-causing free radicals in your body, and reduces rates of heart disease as well. While infused water may not give you all the benefits of these super foods, we figure it can’t hurt, right?
Turmeric, Pineapple and Lemon
You might recognize turmeric as the source of that bright yellow hue in your mustard, but outside of that, many Americans hardly ever consume turmeric. And that’s too bad, because this bitter tasting, bright yellow root is hands down one of the best anti-inflammatory foods you can eat. With this in mind, we think adding a few pieces of turmeric root to water infused with lemon and pineapple is a brilliant idea. The fruity flavors of the lemon and pineapple will cut and complement the bitter flavor of the turmeric.
