You can make staying hydrated fun this summer by experimenting with flavored water.
Using fruit and herb infusions, you can add a healthy and completely natural twist to your H2O. We’ve got six of our favorite recipes to add a sweet twist to pool parties and cookouts as well as your every day routine.
Our recommendation for preparing flavored water is to grab your favorite pitcher and fill it with whatever fruit, flowers, herbs or spices you choose. For best results, chop your fruits finely and use fresh herbs if they’re available. Then, fill the pitcher with water and refrigerate the mix overnight so that the water has a chance to soak up the flavor of the fruit inside of it.
We recommend serving your flavored water over ice or in a container that will keep it cool throughout the day.
Don’t be afraid to mix up the ingredients at home and try something new. Flavored water is almost fool-proof!
The Classic Refresher
Great For: By the Pool
Ingredients
1/2 cup of mint leaves
1/2 a lemon, sliced
1/2 of cucumber, sliced
Lemon juice is wonderful for everything from bad breath to indigestion. It’s packed full of essential vitamins and minerals. That combined with sliced cucumbers, which do everything from preventing aging to helping you use the bathroom regularly, make this crisp drink delicious and mega-beneficial.
The mint leaves add a delicious bite to the mix as well as some additional health benefits — mint is great for settling your stomach and clearing up congestion.
The Citrus Twist
Great For: The Workday
Ingredients
1 lemon
1 lime
1 orange
1 bunch of sage leaves
Want an extra dose of vitamin C? This citrus-y mix is packed full of flavor and super healthy stuff. Oranges are packed with vitamin C and fiber whereas lemons and limes are great sources of potassium, among many other things.
Berry Me Alive
Great For: A Cookout
Ingredients
1 container of strawberries
1 container of blueberries
1 container of blackberries
If you want an antioxidant blast, this is the drink for you. Not only is this drink delicious, but it’s patriotic coloring is perfect for Memorial Day weekend or a big July 4 barbecue.
Watermelon Roses
Great For: Shower or Dinner Party
Ingredients
2 cups of watermelon
3 sprigs of fresh rosemary
It doesn’t get much classier than this drink. It’s perfect for serving at a dinner party, a bridal shower, or even just to enjoy, pinkies up, after work each afternoon. The best part? It takes all of three minutes to make but has an impressive presentation.
I picked my rosemary straight out of my herb garden, but you can also substitute mint, basil, or even thyme for this yummy drink.
Rainbow Flavored Water
Great For: The Kids
Ingredients
1/2 cup of cherries
1/2 an orange
1/2 of a lemon
1/2 of a lime
1/2 cup of blueberries
1/2 cup of red grapes
Rainbow water is fun and nutritious and is perfect for a child’s birthday party or simply encouraging your children to drink more water throughout the day. Whip up a batch using the ingredients above or sub out your own favorite colorful fruits (and vegetables!) for a refreshing healthy way to keep the kids hydrated.
Night Night Water
Great For: Bedtime Blues
Ingredients
1 cup of cherries
1 cup of blueberries
1/3 cup of fresh lavender
Both cherries and lavender have been shown to help you fall asleep easier. If you struggle with sleep, start sipping on this mixture two to three hours before bedtime for a natural insomnia remedy. If that isn’t enough, check out our 25 Natural Ways to Sleep Better.
