One of the easiest ways to stay hydrated is simple: drink more water. But it’s boring, right? My Secret for Staying Hydrated: Infused Spa Water. So easy to make. Keep it in your refrigerator and feel like you are at a spa! Did you know drinking more water can boost your metabolism and help with weight loss too? And that’s just the start of it.
This post was originally published in January 2015 and has been updated in January 2017.
The topic of hydration surfaces a lot both in the heat of summer AND winter. Winter can be especially drying. Water is essential for keeping the body in tip top shape to support health and weight loss goals. It keeps all the bodily systems functioning at their prime and keeps the metabolism going to help burn off that holiday excess. Candidly though I chug water in the summer, it’s more of a chore in the winter. I have to make it fun for myself or I’m not going to do it. Enter Infused Spa Water!
How much water should an adult drink in one day?
That question is met with a variety of answers but truly comes down to an individual need. As a general rule of thumb the current thinking in the medical community is 1.5 liters (approximately 1.5 quarts) is adequate for most adults. That amount does change however based on location such as hot and humid areas where more moisture is lost through perspiration. Or in higher altitudes where it is dry. Exercise increases the need for water and intense exercise all the more. Ultimately a person should consume enough water to not feel thirsty, and their urine should be very pale.
Despite being parched at this time of year, I struggle to drink water. I’ve begun to do something daily which has changed my water drinking habits completely. Every morning while making breakfast I fill a few quart size Mason jars with filtered water and add a few slices of fruits, vegetables and/or herbs to them. I let them sit at room temperature for about 30 minutes which is ample time for the flavors to infuse into the water AND the water is then not too cold (which is a showstopper; I like room temperature water).
If you prefer cold water you can store the jars, sealed, in the refrigerator until to your preferred temperature (or if drinking them later in the day). The key is that once they are prepared you are more likely to drink them. And if you prepare them while you are making breakfast, it’s not an extra trip to the kitchen (which encourages procrastination, for me at least!).
Once the water is infused to the flavor level of your liking, the fruit, vegetables and/or herbs may be removed; or if like me, the visual aspect of the infused water is part of what compels you to drink up, keep them in the water and the flavor will continue to intensify. The fruits and vegetables may be consumed as well after the water is gone. I have a jar on my desk at all time and find myself easily getting my daily fill of water now.
I also love drinking the water with metal straws. They taste clean, are reuseable, and make the water taste more refreshing.
Any combination of fruit, vegetables and herbs you love can be used. Only a few slices of each are needed to infuse the water fully (leaving excess fruit and vegetables to nibble on as well). I love changing the combinations up daily.
A classic, relaxing, spa-like flavor is Cucumber and Lime. I’m loving Pear and Ginger root for a winter warming touch. Grapefruit and Apple (green apples are very fresh and bright) and Blood Orange and Mint have been in frequent rotation as well.
Mint Water is a favorite in the summer (and uses the obscene amount of feral mint which has taken over one of my garden beds). Tropical fruits take the edge off a dreary winter day with the taste of vacation! I typically don’t use smaller fruits such as pomegranate arils as they can get stuck in a straw. Mix it up and make it fun! Kids love it too.
How to make Infused Spa Water:
Recipe
Infused Spa Water
Ingredients
- 1 quart Filtered Water
- 1/4 cup Sliced fruit, vegetables and/or herb
- 1 Mason jar
- 1 Metal straw optional
Instructions
- Fill a quart Mason jar with filtered water and sliced of fruit, vegetables and/or herbs.
- Allow to infuse at room temperature for 30 minutes and drink, or chill.
Melissa Chapman says
Those waters look so refreshing and the fruit makes them tasty. I generally drink seltzer most of the day and get my hydration that way but this seems like a good change of pace.
Stacie says
That sounds so good! I’m terrible about getting my water in. Water is just soooo boring. Not anymore, though!
Jennifer @NourishedSimply says
Hydration is so important! I always recommend flavored water to my clients who dislike plain water.
Toni Dash says
I think it really makes a difference if people can’t stomach plain water. Makes it special somehow. I agree on hydration too. Most people just think of it as quenching thirst but it does so much more. Even can change your mood I think!
heather @french press says
I need to do this! I love flavored water, but these jars make it so fun to drink during the day
Toni Dash says
It’s all a mind thing for me Heather; if it looks fun and pretty, I’ll drink it! Not sure why drinking from a jar gets me to do it, but it does!
Debra Worth says
I do this with mint! So yummy.
Toni Dash says
In the summer I always have a big infusing jar with a spigot in the refrigerator with mint in it too! So cooling.
NancyB says
Thanks for the great flavor ideas! We recently were hooked up to a different rural water system and I’m having to struggle more than usual to drink enough. I love lemon in water, but hadn’t thought to ‘branch out’ a bit!
Toni Dash says
I’m with you on loving lemon but I also get bored easily. The more I mix it up, the better the chance of drinking enough! Having some Cucumber, Lime & Mint Water now!
Susan@LunaCafe says
Brilliant! I am rarely actually thirsty, so must be very conscious about getting enough water each day. This will help considerably. So pretty. Love those metal straws too.
Toni Dash says
In the winter I really do get thirsty but also find my lips get very dry, as well as my skin. Because we are at altitude we need even more! I love the metal straws too. They stay cool (temperature) adding to the hydrating ambiance of drinking all this water!
Bessie says
I love your jars , but how do you clean those straws; I agree in winter I seem to have a much harder time getting in the water I need. I will give this a try. Thank you.
Toni Dash says
Bessie the straws came with a little brush cleaner! For me having the jars ready gives me no excuse! Making them while I’m making breakfast also gets them done.
Lauren says
What a great way to keep hydrated & you can take it on the go! Where can I get the jars & the straws? What material are the straws made out of? Thanks for the helpful posr.
Toni Dash says
Hi Lauren. You can use any Mason or Ball quart size canning jars which can be found at hardware stores, Target, or online at stores like Amazon.com. These in particular are made by Ball and are smooth so they have no traditional imprints (I bought them for the post as you can see through them better). I got the straws on Amazon.com (here) they are stainless steel, dishwasher safe and come with a little cleaning brush. The top of the jar are the ring that comes with them and the middle straw insert I found at Michaels crafts. They carry a number of Mason jar related items (decorative lids, inserts, accessories). If you are toting the jars instead of the start insert you can just use the lids that comes with them or there are all white plastic lids sold to go with canning jars after they’ve been open. Those work great too!
Sharon @ What The Fork Food Blog says
I love making infused water. My favorite so far is cucumber, lemon and mint!
Toni Dash says
Ha! I’m drinking Cucumber, Lime & Mint right now Sharon! Don’t you find the citrus somehow feels more hydrating too? Something about the tang of it is just more refreshing.
Rachel Cooks says
Great tips! The pear/ginger combo sounds terrific!
Toni Dash says
I love it Rachel and it’s a bit out of the ordinary. Plus ginger is so good for you! Drinking some Cucumber, Lime, Mint water now. The possibilities are endless….and distracting from the fact you are drinking the water!