In addition to being tasty, flavored water helps to refresh, hydrate, detoxify and, depending on the ingredients, to lose weight. It can be made with fruits, vegetables, vegetables, herbs and spices, which can be added alone or combined with each other.
It is a healthy choice, especially for those who have difficulty drinking plain water. And like any food, the amount of water we need to ingest daily varies according to the individual’s age and weight, the physical activity he performs and, of course, the climate and temperature in which he lives.
In general, the recommendation is the intake of 3.7 liters per day for men and 2.7 for women.
With flavored water, it is easier to achieve this goal, both for the taste as well as the low calories and benefits that each type offers. But, of course, it doesn’t replace mineral water.
There are several flavors available, such as lemon, strawberry , orange, apple, pineapple etc. It can still be made with hibiscus, rosemary and even ginger. It can also be prepared using normal or sparkling water , but depending on your choice, you need to take some specific care.
Table of Contents
How to make flavored water?
Regardless of the flavor, the way to prepare flavored water is just one: put a liter of ice water in a glass jar with a lid, add the ingredients and leave the covered container in the refrigerator for 1 hour.
This time is needed to accentuate the flavor of the drink. Oh, and it’s not worth adding sugar , honey or sweeteners. The shelf life is usually up to 4 hours, especially for citrus fruits.
Another detail is regarding the type of water chosen. For example, carbonated drinks can be used, but it is necessary to be careful with excessive consumption, as it can cause imbalance in the body’s mineral salts.
Finally, remember that the ingredients used are to flavor the natural liquid and should not be ingested.
15 Recipes
1. With lemon and mint
The lemon is rich in vitamin C and mint has digestive action. In addition to these two ingredients, the recipe takes ginger which is an excellent thermogenic .
Ingredients
- 1 liter of water
- 1 Sicilian lemon cut into slices
- 1/2 medium ginger cut into slices
- 1/2 cup of mint leaves.
2. Water with lemon slices and ginger
To reduce nausea and indigestion, water with lemon and ginger slices is perfect. This is because, in addition to antioxidant, thermogenic and anti-inflammatory actions, it also facilitates the digestive process .
Ingredients
- 1 liter of water
- 1 lemon cut into slices
- 1/2 medium ginger cut into slices.
3. Orange and star anise
Like lemon, orange is a citrus fruit and rich in vitamin C, for this reason it strengthens the body’s immune system and helps in the process of iron absorption. Star anise is excellent for aiding gastrointestinal functions.
Ingredients
- 1 liter of water
- 1 orange cut into slices without peel
- 5 star anise
- Juice of 1 lemon.
4. With cucumber
This vegetable has anti-inflammatory and diuretic properties . Thus, it helps in the elimination of toxins and liquids retained in the body, promoting a detox and, in a certain way, slimming effect.
Ingredients
- 1 liter of water
- 1 cucumber cut into slices.
5. Pineapple and mint flavored water
Our fifth version has an intense flavor and diuretic and digestive properties , both due to the presence of pineapple and mint.
Ingredients
- 1 liter of water
- 200 grams of pineapple cut into small cubes
- Mint leaves (washed) to taste
- Juice of 1 lemon.
6. Red fruits: with strawberry, blueberry and raspberry
Water flavored with red fruits has a slightly sweet taste. As for the benefits, we can say that it is rich in antioxidants, so it protects the body’s cells against free radicals, contributing to the prevention of degenerative diseases and premature aging .
Ingredients
- 1 liter of water
- 100 grams of strawberries
- 100 grams of blueberries
- 100 grams of raspberries
- 1 teaspoon of cloves
- Juice of 1 lemon.
7. Cinnamon stick
To speed up the metabolism and contribute to the weight loss process, the recommendation is water with cinnamon stick. To add flavor to this recipe, also add orange and ginger.
Ingredients
- 1 liter of water
- 2 shanks stick
- 1 orange cut into slices without peel
- 1/2 ginger cut into slices.
8. Tropical water
In addition to hydrating the body, this drink option will combine several vitamins found in mango, passion fruit , banana and lemon. Refreshing and calming the body.
Ingredients
- 1 liter of water
- 1 shelled mango
- 1 passion fruit
- 1 unpeeled banana
- 1 lemon thinly sliced and peeled.
9. Strawberry and basil
While strawberries are rich in vitamin C, strengthening the body, basil is considered a functional food. This means to say that this combination protects the body against diseases .
Ingredients
- 1 liter of water
- 5 halved strawberries
- 10 washed basil leaves.
10. With Hibiscus
For those who don’t know, hibiscus has a diuretic action, helping to reduce swelling and the feeling of weight loss. In this recipe, it is combined with rosemary , which favors the digestive system.
Ingredients
- 1 liter of water
- 5 dried hibiscus flowers
- 1 sprig of rosemary.
11. Apple flavored
Thermogenic and antioxidant are some of the main benefits of water flavored with apple, ginger and basil.
Ingredients
- 1 liter of water
- 1 apple in the skin and cut into cubes
- 1 sprig of basil
- 1 ginger root cut into slices.
12. Watermelon version
Also antioxidant, the drink with watermelon has yet another effect: the diuretic action. Therefore, it is ideal for those who want to lose weight with health.
Ingredients
- 1 liter of water
- 5 pieces of watermelon
- 5 pieces of melon
- 1 cucumber, sliced and peeled.
13. With grape
Vitamin C is one of the main compounds present in grapes, which is why they are considered antioxidant and immune system strengthening foods.
Ingredients
- 1 liter of water
- 1/2 cup of seedless red or green grapes
- 1 sliced Sicilian lemon
- 2 sprigs of rosemary.
14. Lemon, fennel and mint
For those who want an improvement in digestion and at the same time a drink to calm down , version 14 of this list is ideal, as it combines fennel with mint.
Ingredients
- 1 liter of water
- 1 lemon cut into slices
- 1 mint stalk
- 1 handful of fennel.
15. Eggplant detox water
Finally, an option to detoxify the body , eliminating toxins and even reducing bad cholesterol from the blood.
Ingredients
- 1 liter of water
- 1 eggplant, sliced and peeled.
Tips for drinking flavored water
As can be seen, each flavored water recipe has specific benefits. So, how about varying daily to take advantage of the effects of each fruit, spice, herb or vegetable? So you can lose weight, hydrate, refresh or even detoxify your body.
Another nice tip is to make ice with some fruit to add to the drink. For example, put blueberries in the containers and top up with water, take them to the freezer and wait for them to turn to ice. With this, you can increase more flavor and properties to your water.
Also be careful not to add too much fruit , preventing the water from having more juice consistency. But be creative in the choice of ingredients, adopting any recipe indicated here or trying out new combinations.
Finally, there is no contraindication to the consumption of flavored water, but anyone who has any pathology needs to be careful. People with kidney problems, for example, have certain fluid restrictions. Also, some people may have food allergies to the ingredients used.
My name is Ellie Lauderdale, MD and I am USA based professional Nutritionist .
I am a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist and board certified specialist in sports dietetics who is trained in integrative medicine. I have worked with hundreds of clients, from those suffering with chronic disease to professional and olympian athletes. My goal is to help optimize you from the inside so that you can feel, perform, and look your best on the outside.