If you want to lose weight or just stay fit then you should be drinking at least 8 ounces of water per day. Water can be boring and bland so add some pizazz by making it into flavored fruit water. Using fruits and herbs can create endless combinations of drinks for your enjoyment and health.
The Low-Down on Liquids
Regular soda is full of sugar and diet soda is full of chemicals. The bottles associated with bottled water are awful for the environment and the water can actually contain chemicals from the plastic too. Juice may have some nutritional value, but like soda it is loaded with sugar, carbs and calories. Truth be told, regular tap water – once it has been filtered – is actually the best fluid for you.
About Flavored Fruit Water
Making your own flavored water is surprisingly easy. Similar water is often served at spas, but you can give yourself the same refreshing treatment at home as well. These will not end up being sweet drinks. Instead they contain subtle flavors thanks to being infused with fresh fruit.
Keep your flavors simple and keep the process simple. You don’t need a blender, you don’t need to boil anything and you don’t even need any sort of fruit-infusion pitcher unless you want one. You only need a regular pitcher, a muddler or wooden spoon and a few minutes of your time. You can also use mason jars and have several different flavors on hand at a time.
Almost any fruit will work, but not bananas. To maximize flavor and increase sweetness, the more ripe the better. Citrus fruits, berries, pineapple and watermelon are all excellent choices. Fresh fruit is ideal, but if your preferred fruits are not in season you can use frozen. Make sure your fresh fruits are thoroughly cleaned and preferably organic.
Using herbs are optional, but they need to be fresh. Mint is great, but you may also try thyme, rosemary, lavender, sage and more. Choose them based on your personal tastes and experiment to see which ones compliment your favorite fruits. Pineapple and mint as well as blackberry and sage are two great combinations worth a try.
Infusing Your Water
In a 2-quart pitcher, add your chosen fruits and herbs to the bottom. For example, slice an orange, lemon and a lime into rounds then slice the rounds in half. Add all of these to your pitcher and then crush them with a muddler or the handle of a wooden spoon. You want some juices to come out, without completely crushing the fruit. Fill the pitcher with ice and then fill it to the top with your filtered tap water. Stir it with your wooden spoon and then put it in the fridge to chill. You can drink it right away, but letting it sit for an hour or two will intensify the flavors.
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