Commercial juices, sports drinks and sodas can be extremely high in sugar content and offer little nutritional value. For a hydrating drink that’s lower in sugar content and packed with essential nutrients, why not opt for the better alternative, like fruit infused water? Our top three fruit infused water recipes are packed with flavor, easy to make and are healthy for you.
How to Make Infused Water
It’s important to start with quality ingredients to get the best flavored water and the most benefits out of each sip. Use fresh, unbruised and not overly ripe fruit. Be sure to thoroughly wash the produce to remove any harmful chemicals and pesticides.
For optimal infusion, softer fruits may be sliced in any size while harder fruits should be sliced on the thinner side to allow the flavors to be released quicker. If you’re adding herbs or roots, crush them to release their essential oils. Add the ingredients to a pitcher and fill the rest up with purified water. Infuse at room temperature for no more than two hours and then place in the refrigerator.
Recipe #1: Watermelon Basil Water
- 2 cups watermelon (cubed)
- 4 fresh basil leaves (crushed/muddled)
- 1 gallon purified water
If you’re looking for ultimate hydration with a balanced flavor combination, watermelon basil fruit water is the way to infuse. The bright red melon is made up of 92% water and contains significant doses of vitamin A, B6 and C along with lycopene, antioxidants and amino acids. The basil balances the sweet flavor of the watermelon and releases antioxidant-rich essential oils into the water to help boost your immunity.
Recipe #2: Pineapple Jalapeno Water
- ½ medium-sized pineapple (sliced)
- 1 jalapeno (sliced)
- 2 liters purified water
Ditch that sugary frozen margarita and get the same island vibes by hydrating with a healthier drink like pineapple jalapeno infused water. The pineapple flavor will bring you to the tropics while the jalapeno spice will put some pep in your step.
Recipe #3: Orange Lemon Water
- 1 medium-sized orange (½ for squeezing juice, ½ for slices)
- 1 lemon (½ for squeezing juice, ½ for slices)
- 4 mint leaves
- 8 cups purified water
Swap out the sugar-loaded orange juice with a better alternative, orange lemon infused water. You’ll still get the intense flavors and sweetness without the added sugar. Plus, you can enjoy the added benefits of the vitamin C from the lemon and orange, not to mention, lemons are known to naturally boost metabolism.
Infusing with Quality Drinking Water
With fresh fruit ingredients, infused water can act as your new drink of choice. But remember, the most important ingredient in these fruit infused water recipes is clean and pure water. Contact your local Culligan water experts to test your drinking water and make sure it’s of high quality. Then you can start whipping up these nutrition-packed, easy-to-make flavored water recipes in no time.
