When the weather gets warmer, it’s so important to stay properly hydrated. Drinking plenty of water is key, but let’s face it, sometimes plain water can get a little boring.
That’s where fruit-infused waters come into play! Not only do they add a burst of fresh flavor to your H20, but they can provide some extra vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants too.
Infusing water with fruit is ridiculously easy to do at home. There’s no fancy equipment required just grab a pitcher, add your favorite fruits and herbs, and let the flavors mingle together in the fridge.
The naturally occurring fruit sugars will lightly sweeten the water, creating a spa-like beverage you’ll want to sip on all day.
To get you started, I’ve put together over a dozen of my favorite refreshing fruit water recipes.
They’re great for beating the heat, jazzing up your hydration routine, and using up any fruit that’s on the verge of going bad. Let’s dive into the recipes!
Citrus Delight Water
- 1 orange, sliced
- 1 lemon, sliced
- 1 lime, sliced
- Fresh mint leaves (about 6–8)
This classic combo packs a bright, sunny punch of citrus flavor. The invigorating lemon-lime notes pair perfectly with the sweet orange slices and cooling mint. It’s incredibly refreshing and looks gorgeous in a pitcher with all the citrus colors.
Tropical Oasis Water
- 1 cup fresh pineapple chunks
- 1 mango, cubed
- Fresh basil leaves (about 6–8)
- Transport your tastebuds to an island paradise with this tropical-inspired infused water. The pineapple and mango make it taste like a piña colada in water form, while the basil adds an unexpected herbal twist. It is extremely refreshing and great for combating hot summer days.
Very Berry Lemonade Water
- 1 cup fresh or frozen mixed berries (strawberries, raspberries, blueberries, blackberries)
- 1 lemon, sliced
- Nothing quenches thirst quite like lemonade, and this berry-packed version is a real thirst crusher. The tart lemon complements the sweet berries, creating a flavor that tastes like summer in a glass. Use a mix of berries or stick to a single variety; either way, it’s hard to beat.
Watermelon Mint Agua Fresca
- 2 cups cubed seedless watermelon
- Fresh mint leaves (about 6–8)
- Squeeze of lime juice
- You can’t get much more refreshing than an icy, cold glass of watermelon agua fresca. The juicy melon pairs beautifully with the bright lime and cool mint notes for a perfectly balanced and ultra-hydrating sipper. This one is guaranteed to be a warm-weather favorite.
Apple Cinnamon Spiced Water
- 1 apple, sliced (any variety works)
- 2 cinnamon sticks
- 4 whole cloves
- For an unexpected twist, try this lightly spiced apple water. It has cozy notes of cinnamon and clove that make it taste like a drinkable apple pie, but in a very subtle, refreshing way. Swap out the apples seasonally; use Honeycrisps in fall, galaxies in winter, etc.
Cucumber Rosemary Detox Water
- 1 large cucumber, sliced
- 4-5 sprigs fresh rosemary
- Are you in need of a little detox? Let this rejuvenating cucumber and rosemary water be your drink of choice. The cooling cukes have a cleansing effect, while the piney rosemary gives it an invigorating herbal kick. Sip on this all day and feel instantly revitalized.
Grapefruit Elderflower Water
- 1 ruby red grapefruit, sliced
- Fresh mint leaves (about 6–8)
- 1 tablespoon elderflower syrup or cordial
- With its tart and tangy flavor, grapefruit makes an incredibly thirst-quenching infused water. Here, its tartness gets beautifully balanced with floral, slightly sweet elderflower notes and cooling mint. This elegant spa water will make you feel like you’re at a luxury resort.
Peach Green Tea Cooler
- 2 cups cubed, fresh, or frozen peaches
- 4 green tea bags
- Pour boiling water over the tea bags and peaches to lightly “brew” them together, then allow the tea to cool completely before chilling. The fruity peach flavor is the perfect complement to the slightly grassy green tea notes in this quenching cooler.
Kiwi Chia Fresca
- 3 kiwis, peeled and sliced
- 1 tablespoon chia seeds
- The bright green hue of this kiwi-infused water alone is enough to make you crave a glass. But the sweet, tropical flavor of the kiwi takes it to the next level of refreshment. Chia seeds add a pop of nutrition and keep you hydrated.
Blackberry and Vanilla Water
- 1 cup fresh or frozen blackberries
- 1 vanilla bean, sliced in half
- Take a second and just imagine what sweet blackberry and rich vanilla would taste like together. Now you can experience that deliciousness in water form! The blackberries create a deep purple hue and fruity flavor, complemented by warm vanilla notes.
Honeydew Tarragon Water
- 2 cups cubed honeydew melon
- Fresh tarragon leaves (about 6–8 sprigs)
- Honeydew melon makes an incredibly light, refreshing base for infused waters. Here, it gets an herbal twist from fresh tarragon, resulting in a slightly anise-like flavor that’s clean and crisp. This combo is unexpected but insanely tasty.
Strawberry Lime Mint Water
- 1 cup fresh strawberries, sliced
- 2 limes, sliced
- Fresh mint leaves (about 6–8)
- You can never go wrong with strawberry lime mint water—it’s a tried and true favorite! The strawberries provide sweet and fruity notes, balanced by tart lime and bright, cooling mint. Make this one by the pitcherful all summer long.
Prickly Pear Chia Agua Fresca
- 1 prickly pear fruit, peeled and diced
- 1/4 cup chia seeds
- Squeeze of lime juice
- If you’ve never tried prickly pear before, get ready to fall in love. The vibrant magenta fruit has a flavor that’s tough to describe: slightly floral, subtly sweet, and incredibly refreshing. Here, it creates the most beautiful, bright pink agua fresca when combined with chia and lime.
Tips for Making Perfect Fruit Waters
- Gently muddle herbs or crush fruit slightly before adding it to water to help release more flavor.
- The longer you let the fruit/herbs infuse (up to 24 hours), the more intense the flavors will become.
- Use a glass pitcher or mason jars so you can see all those gorgeous fruit colors and combinations!
- Metal infusers or muddlers also work for holding fruit/herbs if you want to easily remove them from the pitcher.
- Freeze extra fruit in ice cube trays with a little water, then use the fruit cubes to keep your agua frescas icy cold without diluting them.
So grab your favorite fruits and herbs and get infusing! Having a pitcher of naturally fruit-flavored water in the fridge makes it so much easier and more enticing to stay hydrated. Drink up and enjoy these refreshing and nutritious fruit waters all season long.
