Is one of your new year's goal to drink more water? Are you looking for great ideas for ways to help you drink more water? Infused water to the rescue!
While there are plenty of gimmicky "drink this much by this time" water bottles on Amazon, these water bottles still turn drinking water into a chore.
But what if you could enjoy drinking your water instead? What if, instead of sad tap water, you were sipping on a delightfully delicious beverage, flavored with fresh fruits and herbs?
By making fresh infused water (some call it detox water) with fresh herbs and fruit, you elevate your water drinking experience from a chore to something you enjoy.
If you have questions about infused water, how to make it, if it really works and more, I have answers!
I wrote THE book on infused water and infused water recipes.
In this article, I will answer all of the most commonly asked questions about infused water and detox water and then share nine of my favorite recipes with you so you can get started enjoying delicious infused waters today!
With 120 recipes and tips about how to find the best infused water water bottles, pitchers, equipment and more, check out my e-book Infused: Recipes for Herb and Fruit Infused Water, Tea & More.
What is infused water?
There are hundreds of ways you can combine fruits and herbs together in water to create an infused water recipe!
What is detox water and what does it do?
Detox water is another name for infused water.
But why do they call it detox water? Because any time you can increase your water intake, you support your body's natural detoxification pathways and digestive processes.
The truth is that there is nothing inherently magical about detox water beyond that is gets you to drink more water! Any time you can drink more water is a win for your body!
Infused water is a healthier option than juice or other flavored beverages because it is low or no calorie but still tastes awesome without overwhelming your body with added calories, sugar or chemicals.
But why do they call it detox water? Because any time you can increase your water intake, you support your body's natural detoxification pathways and digestive processes.
The truth is that there is nothing inherently magical about detox water beyond that is gets you to drink more water! Any time you can drink more water is a win for your body!
Infused water is a healthier option than juice or other flavored beverages because it is low or no calorie but still tastes awesome without overwhelming your body with added calories, sugar or chemicals.
Looking for more infused water recipes?
I wrote THE book about infused water. You can buy my infused water recipes e-book - with 120 fruit and herb infused water recipes on Amazon here >> Infused by Carissa Bonham
Infused water vs. regular water
Is there something magical about infused water vs. regular water?
If you like flavor, the answer is yes! Infused water tastes tons better than regular water without any added sugar or calories.
As far as detoxifying super powers go, there isn't enough of the nutritional value from the fruits and herbs imparted to the water to make a big difference in the water's ability to help your body detoxify versus regular water.
Considering that approximately 75% of Americans are chronically dehydrated, though, anything you can do to increase your water intake (and enjoy it!) is a win for your body.
What is infused water good for?
Infused water not only tastes great, but it's great for you! There are lots of reasons you should increase your water intake including:
- Improving energy - even mild dehydration can negatively affect your energy levels.
- Improving mood - though not as culturally well known as being "hangry," even low levels of dehydration can increase your irritability.
- May prevent headaches - several medical studies have demonstrated that restricting fluids can lead to headaches. To help avoid experiencing this unpleasant experience, stay well hydrated.
- Could assist in weight loss - an analysis of water's effect on calorie expenditure demonstrated that simply drinking additional water increased how many calories your body burns in a day. Additionally, many dieters also say if their stomach already feels full due to drinking water before a meal, they are less likely to overeat.
If that's not enough to convince you to drink more water, check out seven science based health benefits of drinking enough water.
How long can you keep fruit in water?
The fruit lasts in water for about 48 hours or until it loses its color.
One of the great, low-waste things about infused water is that you can keep using the same pieces of fruit for batch after batch of water and it will continue imparting flavor.
Once you are done with the spent fruit or herbs from your infused water recipe, simply compost the waste.
One of the great, low-waste things about infused water is that you can keep using the same pieces of fruit for batch after batch of water and it will continue imparting flavor.
Once you are done with the spent fruit or herbs from your infused water recipe, simply compost the waste.
What fruits and herbs should you use in infused water? What can you put in detox water?
Any fruit, vegetable or herb that is good for humans to eat and tastes good can go in infused water!
In my e-book, Infused, I demonstrate lots of different flavor options and combinations for infused water recipes.
Infused water can be made with just one ingredient - like sliced oranges. Or it can be a combination - like lemon, cucumber, mint.
Keep reading below for nine different infused water recipes or check out a copy of my e-book Infused: Recipes for Herb and Fruit Infused Water, Tea and More for 120 infused water recipe ideas.
In my e-book, Infused, I demonstrate lots of different flavor options and combinations for infused water recipes.
Infused water can be made with just one ingredient - like sliced oranges. Or it can be a combination - like lemon, cucumber, mint.
Keep reading below for nine different infused water recipes or check out a copy of my e-book Infused: Recipes for Herb and Fruit Infused Water, Tea and More for 120 infused water recipe ideas.
Does infused water help you lose weight?
Let's be clear: there is no magical, drug-like power to infused water or detox water that will melt excess weight off your body with zero effort on your part.
That doesn't mean it can't help you on your weight loss journey, though!
Infused water can help you make better choices when picking beverages. Every time you reach for a glass of delicious, infused water instead of a can of Coke is 150 fewer calories you'll consume. If you have become accustomed to reaching for juice, sodas, or sweet tea, switching to infused water can help you easily decrease your calorie consumption.
Drinking infused water can help you eat less. By drinking more water - especially before and during meals - you can help your body feel full faster so you are less likely to overindulge.
Hungry? Maybe you're thirsty! Hunger and thirst generate similar signals that go to your brain. If you think you're hungry, you may feel tempted to walk over to the fridge and find a snack. But what if you were just thirsty? (learn more about hunger vs thirst here)
Before indulging in a snack the next time you think you might be hungry, try drinking a glass of infused water first. If you're still feeling hungry, go ahead and get something to eat. If you were actually just thirsty, your body will feel satisfied and you will have successfully avoided eating unnecessary calories!
What is the best detox water?
The best detox water is the one you most like the flavor of! This is because you can't reap the benefits of drinking detox water if you don't like it enough to drink it.
I have the recipes for nine of my best detox water recipes below. Keep reading!
I have the recipes for nine of my best detox water recipes below. Keep reading!
Easy & Delicious Infused Water Recipes
(Detox Water Recipes You'll Love!)
Each of these recipes is from my book, Infused: Recipes for Herb & Fruit Infused Water, Tea & More: 120 Recipes to Try at Home!.<< Click here to download it on Amazon.
Video: How to Make Infused Water
If the video does not play immediately above this paragraph, watch it on YouTube: How to Make Infused Water.
Ingredients
Blackberry Mango Morning
Blackberry Mango Morning
- 1 mango, peeled and sliced
- 1 1/2 cups fresh or frozen blackberries*
- 2-3 quarts of water (whatever your pitcher holds!)
Grapefruit and Mint
- 1/2 fresh grapefruit*, cut into wedges
- 2 large sprigs of mint*
- 2-3 quarts of water (whatever your pitcher holds!)
Ginger Peach Pick-Me-Up
- 2 fresh peaches, sliced
- 2 inch piece of ginger, sliced thin
- 2-3 quarts of water (whatever your pitcher holds!)
Apple zinger
- 2 fresh apples*, thinly sliced
- 1 tsp lemon juice
- 2 inch piece fresh ginger, thinly sliced
- 1 large cinnamon stick
- 2-3 quarts of water (whatever your pitcher holds!)
Fresh and Fancy
- 1 cucumber*, sliced
- 5-6 large strawberries*, halved
- 1 large spig of mint*
- 2-3 quarts of water (whatever your pitcher holds!)
Sippin on Summer
- 1 cup fresh or frozen raspberries*
- 1 lemon*, thinly sliced
- 1 large sprig of mint*
- 2-3 quarts of water (whatever your pitcher holds!)
Tropical Hideaway
- 2 cups watermelon chunks
- 1 large spear fresh pineapple (or 1 cup frozen pineapple chunks)
- 1 large sprig of mint*
- 2-3 quarts of water (whatever your pitcher holds!)
Rosemary's Berry
- 1 1/2 cups fresh or frozen blackberries*
- 1/2 lime*, sliced
- 1/2 orange*, sliced
- 1 large sprig fresh rosemary*
- 2-3 quarts of water (whatever your pitcher holds!)
B Blend
- 2 cups fresh or frozen blueberries*
- 2 large sprigs fresh basil*
- 2-3 quarts of water (whatever your pitcher holds!)
*Creative Green Living recommends purchasing these ingredients as organic where available to avoid GMOs, pervasive pesticides and/or questionable farming practices.
Pro tip: Can't find organic citrus in your area? Just cut away the peel before adding it to your infused water recipe
Directions
How to Make Infused Water STEP 1
Add your desired ingredients to a 2-4 quart pitcher.
How to Make Infused Water STEP 2
Top fruit and herbs with ice if desired.
How to Make Infused Water STEP 3
Fill pitcher with fresh, filtered water and allow to sit for at least 10 minutes before serving.
How to Make Infused Water STEP 4
As the water level in the pitcher goes down, top it back off with fresh water.
If you keep your fresh infused water in the fridge, you can keep using the same fruit and herbs (continuing to top it off with water) for up to 48 hours or until the fruit loses its color.
If you keep your fresh infused water in the fridge, you can keep using the same fruit and herbs (continuing to top it off with water) for up to 48 hours or until the fruit loses its color.
Pro tip: For a fresh, refreshing twist, try making your infused water recipe with sparkling water instead!
Enjoy!
Looking for more infused water recipes?
If you love infused water and detox water recipes, you will also like these delicious water recipes:
Best cookbook for healthy infused water recipes
If you are looking for more infused water, recipes, I wrote THE book on Infused water. With 120 recipes and tips about how to find the best infused water water bottles, pitchers, equipment and more, check out my e-book Infused: Recipes for Herb and Fruit Infused Water, Tea & More.
About the Author:
Carissa B is a cookbook author and busy mom of two creative boys. The owner and lead writer at Creative Green Living, she won the Craftys Award for the "Best Craft Blogger" category in 2016 and the ShiftCon award for "Best DIY Blogger" in 2018.
She is the author of the hardcover cookbook, Beautiful Smoothie Bowls (Skyhorse, 2017) and the ebook Infused: Recipes for Herb & Fruit Infused Water, Tea & More: 120 Recipes to Try at Home!
Her projects have been featured in magazines like Kids Crafts 1-2-3, Capper's Farmer and Urban Farm Magazine. Follow her on Pinterest, Instagram, Twitter or join the Creative Green Living community group.
She is the author of the hardcover cookbook, Beautiful Smoothie Bowls (Skyhorse, 2017) and the ebook Infused: Recipes for Herb & Fruit Infused Water, Tea & More: 120 Recipes to Try at Home!
Her projects have been featured in magazines like Kids Crafts 1-2-3, Capper's Farmer and Urban Farm Magazine. Follow her on Pinterest, Instagram, Twitter or join the Creative Green Living community group.
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