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Over the years I’ve realized that I can fill my body with the best whole food plant-based recipes out there and yet I’m not helping myself out much if I don’t hydrate properly. Since drinking plain water has always been a struggle, I started creating some fruit-infused waters that add incredible flavor without any weird ingredients. Now I look forward to drinking water every day!
No matter what season it is, I always need a reminder to drink more water. Adding some nourishing fruits and fresh herbs makes it more beneficial and fun. These fruit-infused water ideas are super easy to put together and add some extra nutrients into something you need to consume daily anyway.
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Now I can customize my beverage to whatever my mood is (or what’s in my fridge!). This way of drinking water keeps it fun and interesting.
Recipe Ingredients
For this recipe, I chose ingredients that help flush out the digestive system as well as help promote a flat belly.
- Grapefruit: Rich in antioxidants, helps reduce kidney stones, high in vitamin C and helps regulate blood sugar. A study by the National Library of Medicine shows that daily consumption of fresh grapefruit aids in weight loss.
- Rosemary: Great source of iron, calcium and vitamin C. May benefit cognition, digestion and brain aging as well as contain antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties.
Ultimately, while the added ingredients do have health benefits in their own right, the main goal of detox water is to drink more water.
The body needs water, and most people only give it enough to survive, not thrive. Imagine only eating enough to stay alive, versus fueling your body with the proper nutrients to chase your goals.
Fruit-Infused Water Recipe
View this recipe as your template for a variety of infused water ideas. You can definitely use the ingredients in this recipe or you can get creative with your own combinations.
- Thoroughly wash and rinse the grapefruit. Cut into chunks or slices, leaving the skin on. Add the prepped grapefruit to a pitcher or 4 separate drinking containers.
- Press the fresh rosemary between your fingers or palms to help release the natural oils. Place rosemary into the pitcher or drinking containers.
- Fill the pitcher/containers with water and place it in the refrigerator for at least 15 minutes or up to 48 hours. Enjoy the fruit-infused water throughout the day and refill your container as needed. Eat or compost the fruit and herbs once you are done.
If you use sparkling water instead of still, note that it will start to go flat the longer it is left in the fridge after pouring it into the pitcher. The fruit or vegetables will start to break down the longer they sit in the water, so discard them after a day of use.
Benefits of Detox Water
Sure, you could save some time and just chug straight water. Yet chances are you’re not going to if you’re anything like me. I first tried detox water while doing a plant-based cleanse. I was amazed at how much better I was at staying hydrated when I added fruit flavors.
“Detox water” is the idea of drinking water with added nutrients, like fresh fruits, vegetables and various herbs and spices. Some of the beneficial properties of that produce infuses the water so when you drink it, you get those benefits too. While it is not some miracle elixir, simply replacing soda, juice and other beverages with fruit-infused water is only going to benefit you.
The more hydrated you are, the better your body can function properly. From skin health to digestive health, hydration is key. By making a habit of drinking water, you’re actually helping your body thrive.
7 Other Fruit Combinations
Not a fan of grapefruit? No problem! Citrus of any kind is easy to add, berries are fun (smash before adding to release the flavor). Or just head in a different direction and toss in some bell peppers and chives, or cucumbers and mint.
Here are a few of my favorite combos:
- Strawberries + lemon
- Orange + cinnamon
- Cucumber + mint
- Lemon + cayenne
- Watermelon + rosemary
- Apples + cinnamon
The possibilities are endless. I love making a giant batch of a fun combo and bringing it to summer parties. It always adds a festive pop of color to the food table. Which one of these pairings sounds like a winner to you?
Fruit-Infused Water FAQs
Water by itself is vital to life. Infusing it with fresh fruits, vegetables and/or herbs not only makes it taste better but also provides a few more nutrients than would be in a regular glass of water. You can benefit from adding these natural ingredients to your beverage. Stick to whole food and avoid any additional sweeteners or processed flavors for the best results.
For the flavor to come through, you want to add your fruit/vegetables/herbs in the water for at least 15 minutes. I like to refrigerate mine during that time so that it’s cold when I drink it. You can keep it refrigerated for up to 48 hours, just know the fruit will start to break down the longer it’s in the water.
Wash the fruits, vegetables and/or herbs you plan to use well. Slice, keeping any peels/skins on then place in a glass jar with any herbs you want. Add water, either sparkling or still and refrigerate for at least 15 minutes for the flavor to infuse the water. Then enjoy! You can keep the produce and herbs in the water all day and keep adding water to it throughout the day for a deliciously infused beverage.
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More Delicious Beverages
If you liked these fun, fruit-infused water ideas then I’ve got some other hydrating beverages for you to try! Depending on the day or event, feel free to use any of these festive recipes to give you tasty beverages made from real, whole food ingredients:
- Italian Soda: A better version of “soda” the whole family can enjoy.
- Homemade Strawberry Lemonade: My naturally sweetened way to enjoy a summer classic.
- Dairy-Free Milk Recipes: Five different recipes to help you enjoy milk without the side effects of dairy.
- Non-Alcoholic Berry Sangria: A festive party beverage that looks as incredible as it tastes.
- Chia Fresca: Great for a pool-side gathering or an after workout rehydration drink.
- Matcha Latte: Natural energy in a delightfully drinkable form.
Drop a comment and let me know how you like to drink your water and don’t forget to rate this recipe once you’ve tried it!
Fruit-Infused Water
Ingredients
- 4 cups water
- 1 grapefruit
- 3 fresh rosemary 3-4″ long
Instructions
- Thoroughly wash and rinse the grapefruit, then cut into chunks or slices, leaving the skin on. Add the grapefruit to a pitcher or into separate drinking containers.
- Press the rosemary gently between fingers or palms of your hands to help release the natural oils. Place rosemary in the pitcher or drinking containers.
- Fill with water and place in the refrigerator for at least 15 minutes, or up to 48 hours. If you're using sparkling water, keep in mind that the sparkling quality will wear off with time.
Notes
- Can use sparkling water in place of still water for an extra bit of zing; look for unsweetened versions.
- Feel free to use the fruit/vegetables + herbs/spices of your choice, just make sure you wash the produce well (skin and all) since you won’t be peeling them before adding.
- You can eat the fruit/vegetables after the water is gone, or just refill and continue using throughout the day.
- Here are some more great combos:
- Strawberries + lemon
- Orange + cinnamon
- Cucumber + mint
- Lemon + cayenne
- Watermelon + rosemary
- Apples + cinnamon
Hello. Please recommend favorite glass pitchers etc for infused water. Thank you. I have removed my plastic pitchers.
Hi Karyn! I don’t really have a preference on glass pitchers. Love that you’re getting rid of plastics!
I just adore drinking infused water! My favorite combination is lemon and cucumber.
That’s such a refreshing combination Erica. It really does make drinking water more fun when you add some fruit like this!
do you have a recipe for homemade protein powder
Hi Kellie! Yes! You can find our recipe for the homemade protein powder at this link!
nice
Love it!!!! Thanks
Love your “hydrating” water fusions
I’m not a huge fan of grapefruit but I subbed watermelon and it was delicous!
That sounds like a great swap!
Thank you for this! Drinking water is so good for you and it’s hard to get enough. This makes it fun and delicious!
It sure does, Kathy! 🙂
I never would have put grapefruit and rosemary together but this totally upped my water game! So good and refreshing.
It really is, Kim!
Amazing flavor!
I love the combo of grapefruit and rosemary!
Hi Jess! While I love citrus infused waters, I’m concerned about the acidity and it’s cumulative effect on my tooth enamel. I know for some cavities are easier to come by, so I’d have to have some plain water nearby to “rinse”. Besides the cucumber and mint, any other non-acidic combos that would work? Alternatively, any way to neutralize the acids from the citrus?
Hi Wayne! I totally understand your concern. While I don’t know if there’s a way to neutralize the acids from the citrus, there are lots of great non-citrus combos. Blueberry + mint, raspberry + mint, watermelon + rosemary, mango + ginger, and strawberry + basil are a few of our favorites.
tried it! a great refreshing beverage! i’m thinking of trying it with hot water, ginger and a dash of agave or honey, hmmm, i wonder if this is a good idea.
Hey Amanda! We prefer to use either raw honey or pure maple syrup as agave tends to be a highly-processed sweetener.
Thanks for sharing these recipes! I just started drinking cucumber and mint and it’s so refreshing. Will try grapefruit and rosemary next!
Cucumber and mint is another awesome combo! Let us know what you think of grapefruit and rosemary. 🙂
What a fun new take on flavored water! I love grapefruit, but never thought to pair it with rosemary.
It’s a great combo! 🙂
I have never done this flavor combo before and WOW— it was refreshing!!!! Def will be using more grapefruits in my water. The rosemary was okay… I’ll prob use mint next time.
Grapefruit + mint sounds like a refreshing combination!
If we finish the 4 cups of water can we refill and use the same rosemary and grapefruit or do we make a fresh batch?
You totally can! I do that allllll the time— esp when I use pineapple as a base because the sweetness just keeps on giving! It would be very similar with the grapefruit in here. If the rosemary flavor isn’t coming through a second time, you can try crushing the leaves a little to help release the oils.