There’s no need to purchase carbon-infused Bubly, Sparkling Ice, or Nestle fruit-flavored seltzer. Read on to learn the best way to make natural water flavoring yourself.
Staying hydrated should be at the top of our list when it comes to healthy living. However, for many, it is hard to get down 8+ glasses a day if only drinking natural water. Grabbing a store-bought beverage often means getting a lot of additives we don’t need.
Why I Love Natural Water Flavoring
Hydration is way more important than most people realize. Not only does it keep our hair and skin looking their best, but it is also vital in keeping our organs functioning properly, lubricating our joints and regulating our body temperature.
While I love the benefits of healthy summer drinks, such as homemade Kombucha, instant herbal iced tea, and haymaker’s punch, they should supplement our overall hydration.
I love making my own water flavors because I know it’s a healthy choice for my family. By using fresh herbs and berries from my garden and fruit from my trees, I know I’m providing healthy ingredients to flavor my water.
If you don’t have access to a garden, choosing organic herbs, berries and fruit from your local farmers market or supermarket is the next best thing.
I stay hydrated by throwing ice in a water bottle, filling it with my homemade flavored water, and sipping on it during those long summer days working in my cottage garden.
Is Natural Flavored Water Good for You?
Low water intake can cause sleepiness, fatigue, headaches, and dizziness. By the time you feel thirsty, your body is already slightly dehydrated.
Most people prefer something they can grab quickly, regardless of the health benefits. Fruit juice, sweet iced tea, sugar-free water enhancers, powdered water flavorings and sparkling waters can sound like great options, but do you really know what’s in them?
The importance of drinking water not only lies in your intake, but the quality of your water also plays a huge part. If you are drinking tap water and live in the city, your water could be full of chemicals they use to treat it.
Even if you are buying bottled water or drinking spring water, it can contain bacteria or mineral contents that aren’t compatible with your body. These can often deter people from the taste of natural water.
The first thing you want to do is to start with good filtered water. There are many excellent water filter systems on the market. We used and loved our Berkey water filter when we lived in the city.
Making Better Choices
Drinking beverages high in added sugars, like soda, energy drinks and juices, is a hard habit to break. If you’re considering creating a healthier habit by making your own flavored water for yourself and your family, consider these great tips:
- Quit buying junk! If you don’t have it in your home, you are less likely to consume it.
- If you have the flavored water already made and chilled in your refrigerator, it’s easier to grab and make that good choice.
- It’s quick and easy to make, making it a healthy habit you’re more likely to repeat.
- Save money. Flavored water is cheap – think of all the money you’ll save by not buying those other pre-bottled options.
- It’s beautiful and eye-catching. There is a reason soda companies use bright colors. As the song goes, “we eat with our eyes first.”
- Have your kids join in on making it. When they are involved in choosing the delicious flavors and creating them themselves, they will be excited to drink them.
Flavored Water Variations
The combinations of natural flavors you can make are endless! I prefer to use fresh herbs, but you can also use dried herbs; it just won’t look as pretty. You can also use fresh or frozen fruit and berries.
My favorite part is that only your imagination limits the flavor combinations. Get creative. Even the kids will love this glass of water! Here are a few of my favorite natural water flavorings to get you started.
- Lemon Balm – Lemon balm has a true lemon flavor and smell. It is a natural way to cool you down on a hot summer day and has a calming effect.
- Mint – You can use and mix all different kinds of fresh mint.
- Lavender – It’s not only beautiful to look at, but it’s also very calming. Lavender would taste great alone or mixed with basil. You can add it to the pitcher, stem and all!
- Vanilla Bean – Vanilla would be a great addition to the lavender.
- Basil – Basil mixes well with thyme, lemon, and strawberries.
- Ginger – If you’d like a more savory combination, try a little ginger (remember, a little goes a long way!), a cinnamon stick, and orange slices.
- Lemons, Limes, and Oranges – These are a great combination if you’re looking for a true citrus flavor, and each one goes well along with other herbs and fruits when you just want a little citrus taste. If you have limes in abundance and don’t know what to do with them, learn how to preserve limes here.
- Strawberry – Strawberries add a little sweetness and a beautiful color to any flavored water. It would be great mixed with lime or mint. You can add them whole or slice them for a more eye-catching appeal.
- Raspberries – Raspberries add a little sweetness and are lovely floating around in the water. You can also muddle them to release more flavor. It would be delicious with blueberries and orange slices or with mint.
- Blueberries – Not only do blueberries look great, but they are also fun to eat after you drink your water! They’re my kid’s favorite. They taste great with lemon balm, wedges, and most other herbs and fruits.
- Cucumber – For a cooling and refreshing combo, try cucumber with fresh mint leaves or with lemon or lime wedges.
- Melons – If you love fruit flavors, try adding melons. Watermelon and basil are great together.
- Mango – Mango adds a sweet, unique flavor. Try with strawberries, blueberries, orange wedges or basil.
- Pineapple – Pineapple adds a sweet, citrusy flavor that pairs great with herbs, berries and other fruits. Try with strawberries, limes and mango for a tropical twist.
Supplies Needed
- Large Pitcher – This can be a pitcher, drink dispenser, or large Mason Jar. Whatever you prefer. It will need to have a lid or a way to cover it tightly.
Ingredients Needed
- Filtered Water – You will simply fill whatever pitcher you decide to use. If you don’t have good clean water, we recommend checking out a Berkey Water Filter. We used one for years before we were on well water.
- Fresh Fruit, Herbs, Berries – Choose the combinations and amounts you want. Make sure you wash them thoroughly before use.
How to Make Naturally Flavored Water
- Begin with a large clean pitcher.
- If using fresh herbs, simply tear the herbs with your hands and put them in the pitcher, stems and all. Homesteading Hack: Did you know that the herb’s stem has the same flavor as the leaves? Don’t waste time picking off the leaves. Just throw it all in there.
- If using fruit, simply slice it into big chunks or slices and put it directly in the pitcher. It’s ok to leave the peel on fruits like lemons, limes, and oranges. Simply make sure the peel has been washed properly first.
- If using berries, place them directly in the pitcher. You can leave them whole for a pretty look. Homesteading Hack: To release even more flavor from the berries, you can lightly muddle them before placing them in the pitcher. They won’t look as pretty, but you’ll taste that added flavor.
- Fill the pitcher to the top with fresh, filtered water and put a lid on it.
- Place in the refrigerator. You can start drinking it immediately, but I prefer to let it sit overnight to absorb those great flavors.
- The infused water will last up to six days in your refrigerator.
Did you make this recipe? If so, please leave a star rating in the recipe card below. Then snap a photo of your flavored water combinations and tag us on social media @homesteadingfamily so we can see!
More Posts You May Enjoy
- Growing and Using Herbs
- Instant Herbal Iced Tea
- Designing a Cottage Garden
- Homemade Kombucha
- Cherry Almond Flavored Kombucha
- Homemade Dandelion Root Tea Latte
- Haymaker’s Punch
- Hop Tea
- Your Guide on How to Store Water Long Term (Safely)
- Freeze-Dried Water (Can It Be Done?)
- Growing a Tulsi Plant: Holy Basil (Plant, Harvest, Preserve)
- How to Freeze Basil
- Preserving Limes
Naturally Flavored Water
Ingredients
- 8 cups water filtered
- fruit and herbs of choice
Instructions
- If using fresh herbs, simply tear the herbs with your hands and put them in the pitcher, stems and all. Homesteading Hack: Did you know that the herb’s stem has the same flavor as the leaves? Don’t waste time picking off the leaves. Just throw it all in there.
- If using fruit, simply slice it into big chunks or slices and put it directly in the pitcher. It’s ok to leave the peel on fruits like lemons, limes, and oranges. Simply make sure the peel has been washed properly first.
- If using berries, place them directly in the pitcher. You can leave them whole for a pretty look. Homesteading Hack: To release even more flavor from the berries, you can lightly muddle them before placing them in the pitcher. They won’t look as pretty, but you’ll taste that added flavor.
- Fill the pitcher to the top with fresh, filtered water and put a lid on it.
- Place in the refrigerator. You can start drinking it immediately, but I prefer to let it sit overnight to absorb those great flavors.
- The infused water will last up to six days in your refrigerator.
Notes
- Lemon Balm – It has a true lemon flavor and smell. It is a natural way to cool you down on a hot summer day and has a calming effect.
- Mint – You can use and mix all different kinds of fresh mint.
- Lavender – It’s not only beautiful to look at, but it’s also very calming. Lavender would taste great alone or mixed with basil. You can add it to the pitcher, stem and all!
- Vanilla Bean – Vanilla would be a great addition to the lavender.
- Basil – Basil mixes well with thyme, lemon and strawberries.
- Ginger – If you’d like a more savory combination, try a little ginger (remember, a little goes a long way!), a cinnamon stick, and orange slices.
- Lemons, Limes, and Oranges – These are a great combination if you’re looking for a true citrus flavor, and each one goes well along with other herbs and fruits when you just want a little citrus taste. If you have limes in abundance and don’t know what to do with them, learn how to preserve limes here.
- Strawberry – Strawberries add a little sweetness and a beautiful color to any flavored water. It would be great mixed with lime or mint. You can add them whole or slice them for a more eye-catching appeal.
- Raspberries – Raspberries add a little sweetness and are lovely floating around in the water. You can also muddle them to release more flavor. It would be delicious with blueberries and orange slices or with mint.
- Blueberries – Not only do blueberries look great, but they are also fun to eat after you drink your water! They’re my kid’s favorite. They taste great with lemon balm, wedges, and most other herbs and fruits.
- Cucumber – For a cooling and refreshing combo, try cucumber with fresh mint leaves or with lemon or lime wedges.
- Melons – If you love fruit flavors, try adding melons. Watermelon and basil are great together.
- Mango – Mango adds a sweet, unique flavor. Try with strawberries, blueberries, orange wedges or basil.
- Pineapple – Pineapple adds a sweet, citrusy flavor that pairs great with herbs, berries and other fruits. Try with strawberries, limes and mango for a tropical twist.
