The 9 Mind Blowing Infused Water Recipes You Should Gulp Down Now!

In the nutrition section of my introductory medical class, we cover the toxic effects of excessive sugar consumption. Its effect on obesity, the metabolic syndrome, cancer, et al.  Inevitably we broach the subject of beverages.  We discuss what beverages are good for you, so-so, and absolutely horrible.   My go-to suggestion is that we need to stick to water, tea, coffee, and on occasion, green juices, kombucha, and homemade smoothies.  {Check out our article on great green juice and super smoothie recipes as well as our article and/or podcast on Juices vs. Smoothies.}

The response I typically get from my beloved high school students is “Mr. Luna, that is such a boring life.  Water and unflavored tea and coffee our whole life?”  I tell them that it is perfectly acceptable to flavor the those aforementioned drinks, as well as on occasion, consume other beverages that most would deem unhealthy.  {I don’t believe in complete prohibition,nor labeling anything as “bad.”}

But their point is valid.  Though I don’t get tired of water and a variety of teas, I could see how others could.  Well, one way to spice up your water is to infuse it with fruits and herbs!  So let’s talk about the benefits of infusing your water, some recommendations, and lastly 9 mind blowing infused water recipes!

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Why Infuse Your Water?

The better question is “Why Should You NOT Infuse Your Water?”  Let’s enumerate a couple:

• Infusing your water brings much needed enzymes, vitamins, minerals, and phytonutrients (plant nutrients) to your water that would otherwise be lacking.
• It brings it a great refreshing, subtle taste.
• Infused Water serves as a great transition for your kids to wean them off juice packs and sugary drinks.
• Great way to hydrate yourself.
• And the list goes on and on!

Some Key Dos and Don’ts

Presentation is the key.  I find it highly visually appealing to use glass pitchers.  It’s enticing to see the vibrantly colored fruits and herbs swimming in the pitcher.  It’s also a great way to avoid BPA and other toxic plasticizers.  {Check out are articles or podcast episodes on the dangers of plastics and secret places where BPA lurk.)  Try to avoid using plastic pitchers if you can or even safe ceramic ones.  You lose much of the visual appeal.

Avoid pesticide-laden produce.  As many of you know not all produce is created equal.  In phytonutrients and macronutrients…but also in pesticide absorption.  Click here to see which fruits and herbs you must buy organic and which you don’t.  Buying organic fruits that absorb little to no pesticides is a waste of money.  Once you have purchased or picked your key fruits and herbs (maybe you have a garden like my friend, Kim).

And of course, wash your produce before tossing it into the pitcher.   Many times, produce companies spray chemicals on their produce to make them shinier.  Also, you should wash them to rinse off any pathogenic bacteria that may be lurking in it (e.g. Listeria, E-coli).

Don’t Rush the Infusion!  I know there have been times in the past when I just cut up some strawberries, throw it in the water, and 20 minutes later I’m drinking it.  Surprise, surprise it doesn’t taste like strawberries.  For a good infused fruit drink, it takes about 4 hours, or even better, overnight to get the benefits of the phytonutrients.  It’s akin to tea steeping.  The longer the better!

Use Filtered or Distilled Water.  We here at Naturopathic Earth have spoken on the debilitating effects of fluoride.  It lowers your IQ, affects your fertility, rots your bones, etc.  Ideally, purchase a fluoride filter (Click here to see a Berky fluoride filter), to excise this known neurotoxin, or use distilled water.

Though distilled water does have some liabilities (i.e. many of the naturally-occurring electrolytes have been taken out), at least it doesn’t have fluoride or chlorine.  (Click here to read our articles on the history of fluoride and the adverse effects of fluoride or listen to podcast episode now.)

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Okay, so let’s get to the 9 mind blowing infused water recipes!  Now the choice is up to you to eat the fruit that is in it or just drink the water.  For those of you who love intermittent fasting, drinking the infused water will NOT break your fast.  Of course, eating the fruit will.

Experiment as you will with these recipes to find the taste that best suites your palate.  Also know that if you can always re-infuse a partially drunk glass cup or pitcher to get the full flavor back.

Please at all costs avoid the commercially sold fruit-infused waters.  Most of these drinks are laced with aspartame or acesulfame potassium.  (Read our article on the dangers of artificial sweeteners.)  Also, avoid “sham drinks” like Smart Water.  Aside from being encased in plastics, they are way overpriced and despite the fact they may have some electrolytes, they don’t make your smarter.  What?!

Check out the recipes below! Share with us in the comments below what your favorite water-infused recipe is!

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