We’ve all heard the daily intake of water recommendations before, but sometimes it’s just hard to guzzle down that much H2O. Plain ol’ water can just get so BORING! I find myself reaching other beverages instead. But those types of beverages, while tasty, aren’t really all that good for us. In fact, they can even make dehydration worse when they are filled with sugar and sodium! With the scorching temps here in Texas, however, I realize I need to up my water intake, but a girl needs some flavor. I decided that it was high time I tried infused water.
Summertime Infused Water Recipes
I know infusing water isn’t a new thing, but I had never tried it. And I was amazed at how easy it was to get awesome flavor and make a super refreshing and healthy drink! Besides receiving the obvious benefits of just drinking the recommended amount of H2O, I also looked into how certain fruits, veggies, and herbs added to my nutritional consumption with infused water.
Infusing water is so easy and, truly, there is no way to fail at this. Add as much or as little of each ingredient as you want depending on how potent you want a certain flavor. Grab a mason jar (because really, what screams summer more than drinking out of a mason jar?), muddle each of the ingredients at the bottom, then add water (flat or sparkling). Then throw in a cute little straw, and enjoy!
Below I’m sharing some of my favorite combos as of late!
Blueberry & Mint
Benefits: Blueberries are great little antioxidant bombs! They also contain minerals that can help with blood sugar and the production of red blood cells. Besides its use as a breath freshener, mint is known to alleviate a number of issues, including nausea and headaches (great for morning sickness!). Just the smell alone can ease stomach issues. It also aids in digestion by helping to stimulate saliva which breaks down enzymes in the food you eat. This is a perfect after-dinner drink.
Add jalapeño for a great little kick!
Strawberry, Lemon & Basil
Benefits: This guy is chock full of goodness! Strawberries are packed with Vitamin C which aids everything from eye health to promoting collagen (keep those wrinkles away!) to boosting immunity. Lemon also acts as a natural digestive aid and basil works as an anti-inflammatory and anti-bacterial.
Lavender & Vanilla
(Bean shavings or extract)
Benefits: Oh, lavender. How I love thee. I keep lavender around our house because it has such a calming aroma. I never thought to add it to water until the farmer I buy it from mentioned she uses it. Makes perfect sense to me that if it aromatically calms me down, it should do the same when I ingest it. Similarly, vanilla is also calming and soothing aromatically. When ingested it can ease stomach and digestive pains. It also acts as an anti-inflammatory and has anti-oxidant properties.
*I prefer Madagascar Vanilla when I want a sweet mix or Mexican Vanilla for a nuttier taste.
Add blueberries for increased antioxidants!
Orange & Vanilla
Benefits: More Vitamin C. Need I say more? But seriously, we know how incredibly beneficial oranges are due to the high content of Vitamin C so why not add it to your water? You can even snack on the oranges when you’re done provided they’re still flavorful. What I love about this mix is that it tastes somewhat like an orange creamsicle yet without the calories. Win!
What do you like to add to your water to jazz it up? Hope you enjoy these refreshing drinks as much as I do!
