How To Make Homemade Flavored Waters

Flavored waters are all the rage and compete with soft drinks as a healthier alternative. However, these types of beverages sold in bottles are not the healthiest option, as they incorporate different additives and sweeteners.

Therefore, in this article we will show you how you can make these drinks at home. These preparations admit a large number of ingredients and different variables, depending on the tastes of each one or what we have available at home if we do not want to go out and buy.

Imagination will help us enjoy these flavored waters in a matter of minutes. You can try these delicious recipes for homemade flavored waters. Ideal for the summer.

Essential principle of flavored waters

Water fulfills many functions in the body. It acts as a carrier of nutrients and waste products, in thermoregulation and as a lubricant, among others.

Although we are used to hearing that we must drink 2 liters of water a day to stay hydrated, the truth is that the amount of water we really need depends on the functions of water and the mechanisms for regulating the daily water balance.

Without a doubt, water is the best we can choose to quench our thirst and to hydrate our body. Therefore, these flavored drinks should not be seen as a substitute for mineral water, but rather as a soft drink without gas or additives, if we prepare it at home.

Almost all brands of flavored waters sold in the market have water and the addition of one or more chemical flavorings. However, the term “flavored water” is old. The general formula for them is: fruits (or vegetables, herbs, spices), sugar (or syrup, stevia, honey), cold water (or with ice).

The most commonly used fruits to make flavored waters are plum, apple, pear, orange, lemon, lime, tangerine, grapefruit, strawberry, blackberry, and blueberry. In the case of vegetables, cucumber, fennel and celery.

Herbs of choice are mint, lemon balm, parsley, basil, lemon verbena, rosemary, sage, lemongrass, thyme, dill, and tarragon. And as for the spices, you can use ginger, cinnamon, pink pepper, star anise, chili, and cloves.

Homemade flavored water recipes

1. Cucumber, citrus and apple flavored water:

Beyond the cosmetic benefits of cucumber slices on your eyes, cucumber could bring some health benefits if you introduce it into your diet. Cucumber is a fruit that belongs to the same family as pumpkin and watermelon, it is fresh, rich in water and it is believed that it can be a good ally in weight loss diets.

• 1 green apple

• 1/2 cucumber
• 1 orange
• 120 cc of syrup
• 1 liter and a half of water
• ice.

Remember that the longer it macerates in the refrigerator, the more flavor it will have. Place the syrup in a small saucepan with four tablespoons of water. Heat until it boils, strain and transfer to a jug. Place the sliced ​​fruits and vegetables and the rest of the water. Ice should be added a little before serving.

Once we drink the water, the fruits will still have a lot of flavor, so it can be filled with water, replenished the syrup and chilled again. A variant for the syrup is the liquid sweetener.

2. Mint, apple and citrus flavored water:                                                           

The composition of mint makes it a plant with healthy properties for our body, especially for the respiratory and digestive systems.

• 1/2 green apple
• 1 orange
• 120 cc of syrup
• 2 sprigs of fresh mint
• a liter and a half of water
• ice

Instead of orange, you can add lemon, tangerine or grapefruit. The preparation of the syrup is respected as in the previous recipe. The maceration time in this case is one hour in the refrigerator.

3. Water flavored with red fruits, lemon verbena and lemon:

The lemon verbena has antiseptic, anti-inflammatory, antipyretic, carminative and sedative properties.

• 1/2 cup raspberries
• half a cup of blackberries
• 1/2 lemon
• 120 cc of syrup
• 2 sprigs of fresh lemon verbena
• a liter and a half of water
• a lot of ice.

After heating the syrup, place the washed and thinly sliced ​​berries. It will have a pink color and a very sweet taste. Leave to marinate for an hour in the refrigerator and place the ice before serving.

4. Hibiscus (or Jamaica Flower) flavored water:

Hibiscus can be found dried at herbalists and teahouses or naturists.

• 2 tablespoons hibiscus flowers
• a liter of water
• ice
• sugar to taste

The flowers must first be hydrated with a liter of water for an hour. Then prepare an infusion by boiling for 15 minutes. Let cool, strain into the jug and dilute with more cold water, sugar to taste (or sweetener) and ice.

5. Tamarind flavored water:

It is a typical drink of Mexico and is made with pods or sweet paste.

• 6 tamarind pods (or the pasta)
• a liter of water
• sugar to taste
• cold water
• ice.

Peel the pods and use the inner pulp, boil, mash a little and make an infusion. Let cool, strain and dilute with cold water, sugar and a lot of ice.

6. Citrus unsweetened flavored water:

For those who cannot consume sugar and still want to enjoy flavored waters, this recipe is ideal.

• 1 liter of water
• 2 tablespoons of grated ginger
•  juice of an orange
• a lemon
• a grapefruit
• sweetener allowed to taste.

Heat the water and as soon as it boils, add the ginger. Take to the refrigerator and let it rest until it cools completely (do not put the jug boiling, wait a few minutes for it to warm).

Then add the juices and if you want the citrus to be stronger, you can grate a little of the peels. Take a little longer to the refrigerator and serve with ice and a little sweetener if you wish.

As you can see, these drinks can serve as a refreshment for hot summer days. If you have decided to take them because you want to lose weight, you should know that, for this purpose, the best thing to do is to follow a healthy, varied diet with quality food. Also, don’t forget that it’s important to stay active and exercise regularly.