Fruit Infused Water – may seem like a simple concept and that is because it is. Take what is plentiful, easy to access and virtually tasteless and kick it up a notch with fruit, veggies and herbs. Beautiful on the counter on display AND a tasty way to stay naturally hydrated all day long-  it’s a win-win!

I have been doing this for years. For sure before it became popular and before I had kids even. I have never been a big pop drinker and my go-to liquid has always been iced tea (unsweetened of course). I gradually started adding strawberries, raspberries in my pitcher every day along with the standard lemon and realized that if this was good then it might be good in plain water as well.

Fast forward to having kids and trying to get creative with what they drink. Luckily my kids have always been water drinkers so the addition of fruit has been an easy one to pull off. If your kids don’t like water then getting them involved in what you choose to infuse can be fun for them. Yes, I said fun. Last year I saw more than a few kids drinking infused water in the lunchroom and made sure I checked out what their combo’s were. Now THAT is cool.

For those of you who have drinking water from a well or from an alternate source, infusing may help to mask the metallic taste that can occur. Before we moved to this home we bought our drinking water in large containers for tea, drinks for our kids (and formula) as well as coffee. Between hard water and a weird aftertaste it was the best route for us. Fortunately, this house has great drinking water (still hard though) and for that I am grateful.

I am not a big gadget person but this year I bought two new items to make fruit infused water easier, more portable and plain old pretty. Both of these came with me on our most recent week at the lake and every day it was a new concoction. Right now my pitcher is full of fresh ginger slices and orange wedges because I have an upset stomach. It works like a charm!

Recently, I was on IndyStyle on WISH-TV (CBS affiliate) and I shared my tips on how to keep you and your family hydrated in this fun and easy way. I also made a tasty ice cream too! Watch those segments HERE.

Fruit infused water

2 quart pitcher

Add chosen fruit such as berries, diced apples, citrus slices, watermelon, cucumber, mint or other herbs.

Ex:) I will use 1 whole lemon or orange , 1/2 C mint leaves (washed), or 1 pint of sliced strawberries or whole berries.

Use a wooden spoon to muddle it a bit- I like to see the little flecks of fruit in my glass!

Top fruit with several handfuls of ice to hold the fruit down.

Then I fill to the top with water.  As the day goes on I do add more water.

By the end of the day it is less potent but we have enjoyed it all day long and by the end there is not much fruit left.

It was close and at the ready for my kids to refill their own glasses and they liked trying to get a little fruit in each glass !

Try these combos:

 1 lime/1/2 cucumber-sliced/5 mint leaves

1 lemon-sliced/1/2 pint strawberries-halved/5 mint leaves

1/2 orange-sliced/4 thin slices ginger

1/2 pint strawberries-halved/5 basil leaves

1/2 cucumber-sliced/1 C cantaloupe-chunked 

Place any of these combos in a 2 quart pitcher, top with ice and fill with water.

Tracy enjoying some infused water after doing the fireman challenge outside- it was about 90 degrees outside!