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I think I'm still recovering from the 4th of July. I'll be the first to admit I probably didn't need the corn-on-the-cob, burgers, s'mores and other delicious indulgences I gave into the past few days, but I will also admit that I thoroughly enjoyed it. Now, it's time for some detox. This Fruit-Infused Water is my saving grace after a weekend like the one I just had.
Fruit-infused water not only tastes great, but it does some wonderful things for your body, too. The combination of cucumbers, lemons and limes can actually help with hydration, digestion and appetite control.
I often throw some beautiful strawberries in there, too - just for good measure. And with strawberry season at its peak right now, how could I leave them out? That's just nonsense.
I can tell you right now that I'm not a big water drinker. I definitely drink more water in the summer than the winter for sure. I'm positive it has to do with my activity level. I love being outside in the summer so I'm always running around. Obviously it makes me more thirsty and my body craves the hydration. But, I need to be thirsty in order to drink. Is that weird? I see some people drinking what seems to be gallons of water a day and I can't for the life of me figure out how they do it.
So, to get my water in and flush out the toxins, I make my water pretty and tasty with natural, fresh fruit.
It just makes more sense to me. I like to know what I'm drinking and I'm not always real enthused to buy store-bought flavored water. When I flavor my water naturally, I know what I'm putting in it and it makes me feel good inside and out.
I love to throw my water and fruit into a pitcher in the evening. When I wake up the next morning, my water is ready to go. It's just so much more fun than plain, old water. Believe it or not, you can actually taste the flavor of each fruit you throw in the pitcher. It's so much fun to experiment with different flavors and combinations.
If you're ready for a new twist on the way you drink your water during the day, infuse it with fruit. It looks absolutely beautiful in the summer. Anyone who sees you drinking it will (without a doubt) ask you about it, and before you know it, you'll be sharing your fruit-infused concoction with the rest of the neighborhood. At least that's how it goes around here where I live.
So, this week I'm enjoying sippin' on this beautiful water as I try to get my eating back on track. The weekend may have thrown me off a bit but with my fruit-infused water in hand, I'll be back to my regularly scheduled program in no time! Have you tried fruit-infused water before? What's your favorite flavor combination?
Fruit-Infused Water
Ingredients
- 2 quart pitcher
- 1 lemon
- 1 lime
- ½ cucumber
- 6-7 strawberries
- mint leaves (optional)
- ice cubes
- water
- extra fruit for garnish
Instructions
- Slice the lemon, lime, strawberries and cucumber and place into pitcher.
- Fill the pitcher with water and let set in the refrigerator for at least an hour (preferably overnight).
- When ready to serve, pour water into a glass, garnish with a bit more additional fruit and top off with ice.
Notes
- Experiment with Combinations: Don't hesitate to experiment with different combinations of fruits and herbs to create your own unique fruit-infused water flavors. Try using oranges, berries, kiwi, watermelon, pineapple, or even herbs like basil, mint, or rosemary. Mixing and matching different fruits and herbs can lead to refreshing and delicious combinations that cater to your personal taste preferences.
- Preparation Techniques: Slicing the fruits and vegetables thinly allows their flavors to infuse more quickly and thoroughly into the water. Additionally, lightly crushing or bruising herbs like mint before adding them to the pitcher can help release their essential oils and intensify their flavor. For a stronger infusion, consider muddling the fruit slightly before adding water.
- Let it Chill: For the best flavor, allow the fruit-infused water to chill in the refrigerator for at least an hour before serving, or preferably overnight. This gives the water ample time to absorb the flavors from the fruits and herbs, resulting in a more refreshing and flavorful beverage. If you're in a hurry, you can speed up the infusion process by gently shaking or stirring the pitcher occasionally to help distribute the flavors evenly throughout the water.
retiredruth
Didn't like this combination of flavors. The cucumber and mint leaves just didnt mix well with the lemon, lime, and strawberry for me.
Sara
Ruth, the awesome thing about fruit-infused water is you can really create whatever combination works for you. Be creative and have fun! Good luck finding the combination that you love!
Michelle from Weekend Craft
Sounds delicious and great photos! Thanks so much for stopping by Creative Spark Link Party. Hope you stop by today and link up again.http://bit.ly/1t2Ohhl
Corina
I have actually been doing this for almost a year now. My favorite is strawberry & basil. I have also done pineapple & sage, peaches & thyme, and mango, ginger & mint.
Dee
I love that pitcher/carafe. I need to get one and do this. I love, love flavored water.
Thanks for sharing.
Happy Sunday,
Dee
http://www.thecsiproject.com
*following you now
Bernadyn @ B is For...
I love doing this, too and we've been trying out more different fruit this summer. Thanks for sharing this, I think it looks much prettier to serve also for parties!
Patti
I love to experiment with different flavors of fruit infused waters. I have never tried all of those flavors together. I love cucumber and lemon as well as strawberry and lime. This sounds great. I will have to try it. Thank you for sharing.