The Best Ingredients For Infused Water (+ Our Favorite Summer Blends)

Is drinking more water one of your wellness goals? If so, we’ve got great news: you can make plain, old water into something special with a few simple ingredients and a bit of time.

Infused water recipes with fruit, vegetables, herbs, and spices not only make your daily water taste great but also comes with a side of health benefits. And with the abundance of fresh produce available during this season, it’s the perfect time to learn how to make infused water.

The main benefit of drinking infused water is good, old-fashioned hydration. Staying hydrated helps to transport nutrients and oxygen within your body, lubricates your joints, aids organs in maintaining their optimal function, and keeps your skin looking great. Drinking water even optimizes concentration and clear thinking!

The Best Ingredients for Infused Water Recipes

Not sure which flavors to start with? Lemon water is the perfect sip to start the day. Cucumber water is a classic, but we like to take it to the next level and make mixes with fruits and herbs.

The possible combinations are endless! Here are our favorite ingredients for maximum flavor and health benefits.

Vegetables for infused water

Options: cucumber, celery, fennel, carrots

Cucumber

They’re really onto something with that cucumber-infused spa water. The phytonutrients found in cucumbers (cucurbitacins, lignans, and flavonoids) help to detoxify the body [source] and provide valuable antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, and anti-cancer benefits [source].

Cucumbers are not only delicious, refreshing, and hydrating, but they are an excellent source of vitamin K and a good source of copper, potassium, manganese, vitamin C, phosphorus, magnesium, biotin, and vitamin B1 [source].

Flavor combinations:

• Cucumber + Cilantro + Jalapeno
• Cucumber Spa Water
• Pineapple + Cucumber + Mint
• Pineapple + Cilantro + Cucumber
• Ginger + Cucumber + Grapefruit
• Strawberry + Cucumber
• Cucumber + Mint + Lime
• Blueberry + Cucumber + Basil
• Cucumber + Melon + Mint

Fennel

The fresh, licorice scent of the fennel bulb is a unique flavor boost to infuse into your water. Rich in antioxidant flavonoids, fennel has been shown to reduce inflammation and has anti-cancer properties [source].

An excellent source of vitamin C, the fennel bulb has antimicrobial and immune-supporting properties [source]. Include both thin slices from the bulb and the fronds in your infused water.

Flavor combinations:

• Fennel + Pear
• Apple + Cinnamon + Fennel

Fruit for infused water

Options: berries, melon, tropical fruits, citrus, apples, pears, pomegranate seeds

Berries

Strawberries, blueberries, raspberries, blackberries—you get the idea. Any kind of fresh berry is a great addition to infused water for both flavor and health benefits. Berries are an excellent source of antioxidants and anti-inflammatory nutrients [source], lycopene, vitamin C, and manganese.

Flavor combinations:

• Cantaloupe + Blackberry + Rosemary
• Berry + Rosemary
• Blueberry + Lemon + Mint
• Kiwi + Blackberry
• Green Apple + Raspberry + Rosemary
• Strawberry + Cucumber
• Blueberry + Basil
• Raspberry + Rose
• Vanilla + Basil + Strawberry
• Pear + Raspberry + Rosemary

Melon

Melons have a high water content and electrolytes, such as potassium, magnesium, sodium, and calcium [source]. Try watermelon, cantaloupe, or honeydew after a workout—the natural nutrients will hydrate you more effectively than just water alone.

Melons are also rich in vitamin C for a skin and immune system boost [source]. Bonus: cantaloupe puree tints the water a pretty, peachy pink!

Flavor combinations:

• Cantaloupe + Blackberry + Rosemary
• Cucumber + Melon + Mint
• Basil + Melon

Citrus

Grapefruit, lemon, and lime are delicious in infused water. Lemon activates key detox enzymes in the liver to help flush your system. To add some zing to infused water, consider grapefruit.

Any fruit of the citrus family is an excellent source of antioxidants and vitamin C that help to fight the aging process [source]. They also contain over 100 types of carotenoids [source]: precursors to vitamin A, potassium, and vitamin B1.

Ruby red and pink grapefruits also contain lycopene–good for your prostates, fellas! Peel your citrus slices if you’ll be infusing for more than 4 hours, or the rind can make the water taste bitter.

Flavor combinations:

• Rosemary + Grapefruit
• Ginger + Cucumber + Grapefruit
• Blueberry + Lemon + Mint
• Citrus + Cilantro
• Grapefruit + Lemon + Rosemary
• Lemon + Lime + Ginger
• Lavender + Lemon
• Grapefruit + Vit C Powder

Apples

Does a glass of apple-infused water a day keep the doctor away? Perhaps! Apples have well-documented benefits for a healthy heart—and a healthy everything [source]—which are associated with their polyphenol content [source], anthocyanins [source], and the water-soluble fiber, pectin.

Apples also appear to have some anti-cancer benefits related to breast, colon, and lung cancers [source]. The nutrients in apples are concentrated in the skin, which also contains the anti-cancer compound phloretin [source], so thin slices with the skin on is the way to go.

Flavor combinations:

• Apple + Cinnamon + Fennel
• Green Apple + Raspberry + Rosemary

Tropical fruits

For a vibrant flavor that’s both sweet and tart, add pineapple slices to your infused water recipe. But this tropical flower is more than just good taste: the enzymes in pineapple offer powerful anti-inflammatory and digestive support.

Bromelain, a complex substance extracted from the pineapple core, is thought to be beneficial in preventing excessive blood clotting [source]. Also rich in antioxidants [source] and vitamin C, pineapple can offer immune support.

Flavor combinations:

• Kiwi + Blackberry
• Pineapple + Cucumber + Mint
• Pineapple + Cilantro + Cucumber
• Mango + Pineapple + Mint

Herbs for infused water

Options: rosemary, thyme, mint, basil, cilantro, parsley

Cilantro

For a fresh flavor, consider a handful of cilantro, a good source of anti-inflammatory compounds with many health benefits [source]. Cilantro also stimulates digestion and plays a role in the production of certain digestive enzymes. Even better, cilantro is known to bind to heavy metals such as lead and help flush them from the body [source].

Flavor combinations:

• Cucumber + Cilantro
• Pineapple + Cilantro + Cucumber
• Citrus + Cilantro

Rosemary

People often drink rosemary tea to soothe indigestion, constipation, and bloating. It also has a protective effect against cancer and lead toxicity and is helpful for those with anxiety [source]. Adding a few stalks of fresh rosemary to your water can give you some of these health benefits.

Flavor combinations:

• Cantaloupe + Blackberry + Rosemary
• Rosemary + Grapefruit
• Berry + Rosemary
• Green Apple + Raspberry + Rosemary

Mint

The bright, fresh taste of mint brings cooling relief on a hot day. The scent alone can boost your energy and mood, but mint-infused water can aid your digestion by stimulating the release of digestive enzymes [source]. It also has antimicrobial effects against quite a few different bacteria [source].

Flavor combinations:

• Berries + Mint
• Cucumber + Melon + Mint
• Blueberry + Lemon + Mint
• Pineapple + Cucumber + Mint
• Cucumber + Mint + Lime
• Mango + Pineapple + Mint

Spices for infused water

Options: cinnamon sticks, cardamom pods, fresh ginger, cloves, vanilla bean

Ginger

Fresh ginger root is a concentrated source of active ingredients with both antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects. It helps to soothe and relax the digestive tract and can alleviate symptoms of gastric distress [source].

Ginger also helps promote healthy sweating, which not only boosts metabolism but can also be helpful during cold and flu season. Add thin slices of fresh ginger root to your water for a delicious kick!

Flavor combinations:

• Ginger + Lemon + ACV
• Ginger + Cucumber + Grapefruit
• Lemon + Lime + Ginger

Turmeric

Not just for golden milk, thin slices of fresh turmeric are a great addition to infused water. Not only will it turn the water a brilliant yellow, but it brings with it important antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and healing properties.

Curcumin, the compound in turmeric responsible for its golden color, helps protect the liver from toxins and congestion, lowers cholesterol, reduces menstrual pain, helps with flatulence, and reduces the inflammatory effects of chronic conditions, including inflammatory bowel disease and rheumatoid arthritis [source].

Flavor combinations:

• Turmeric + Pineapple + Cucumber

Cinnamon

For a warming spice, try adding cinnamon sticks to infused water. Its properties, both as a spice and a healing food, are attributed to essential oils found in the bark of the cinnamon tree.

Cinnamon is a powerful antioxidant, helps to stabilize blood sugar, and is an efficient metabolism booster [source]. Studies have shown that even just the smell of cinnamon enhances concentration and memory [source].

Flavor combinations:

• Apple + Cinnamon + Fennel
• Apple + Cinnamon
• Orange + Cardamom + Cinnamon
• Orange + Vanilla + Cinnamon
• Apple + Plum + Vanilla + Cinnamon

Create Your Own Infused Water Recipes

Can we let you in on a secret? Those vitamin waters you see at the supermarket are a total sham! They’re loaded with artificial colors, flavors, and additives, and they’re expensive.

But you can easily make your own infused waters, which means you not only know exactly what you’re drinking, but you’ll be including nutrient-rich fresh fruits and vegetables. Move over store-bought vitamin waters—this stuff is the real deal!

Pick a fruit

• 1/2 cup berries
• 8 pineapple chunks
• 4 mango slices
• 5 kiwi slices
• 8 watermelon, cantaloupe, or other melon chunks
• 6 apple slices
• 4 pear sections
• 4 grapefruit or orange sections
• 3 lemon or lime slices

Pick a veggie

• 7 cucumber slices
• 3 stalks celery
• 3 fennel wedges
• 2 carrots
• 1/2 jalapeno
• 7 zucchini slices

Pick an herb or spice

• 2 sprigs fresh mint
• 2 sprigs fresh rosemary
• 5 fresh basil leaves
• Handful of cilantro or parsley leaves
• 1 inch fresh lemongrass
• 1 inch fresh ginger
• 5 fresh turmeric slices
• 2 cinnamon sticks
• 1 vanilla bean (remove seeds first)

Gently muddle a fruit and/or veggie in a 1-quart pitcher. Add a flavor-boosting herb or spice. Fill the pitcher with water, and steep for at least 30 minutes before drinking.

3 Summer Flavor Ideas

Drinking infused water makes getting your daily allotment of water much more tasty and fun without added sugar. You’ll be amazed at how quickly water can be infused with fruits, veggies, and herbs—and how refreshing it is.

1. Mango Basil

Basil adds great flavor to water. When it’s paired with freshly sliced mango, it has a tropical feel. It’s very refreshing, and the mango adds a little sweetness that is also nice. This would be great as a non-alcoholic beverage at a party. Switch things up by using fizzy water.

• 4 mango slices
• 5 fresh basil leaves, washed
• 1–2 quarts water

Place in a carafe, jar, or pitcher and fill with water. Refrigerate until ready to drink, at least an hour to allow the flavor to infuse the water.

Keep for 2–3 days in the fridge. Can be refilled with water two or three times or until the flavor dissipates.

2. Cucumber Melon Mint

Cucumber and melon is one of my all-time favorite combinations. They work so well together, but mint adds another layer of flavor.

This tastes like spa water to me and is perfect for sipping while you work or out at the pool. You could even fill up a thermos to take to the beach.

• 7 cucumber slices
• 2 slices cantaloupe
• 2 sprigs fresh mint
• 1–2 quarts water

Place in a carafe, jar, or pitcher and fill with water. Refrigerate until ready to drink, at least an hour to allow flavor to infuse the water.

Keep for 2–3 days in the fridge. Can be refilled with water two or three times or until the flavor dissipates.

3. Berry Rosemary

I think this combo would be fantastic for a bridal or baby shower. You get big berry flavor with a hint of rosemary. It’s very sophisticated.

This is one that doesn’t keep quite as long because the berries will start to break down. (They can be strained out.) The rosemary will keep a little longer, but you can remove it if the flavor gets too strong.

• 1/2 cup mixed fresh or frozen berries: strawberries, raspberries, blackberries, blueberries
• 2 sprigs fresh rosemary

Place in a carafe, jar, or pitcher, and fill with water. Refrigerate until ready to drink, at least an hour to allow flavor to infuse the water.

Keep for 1–2 days in the fridge. Can be refilled with water two or three times or until the flavor dissipates.

Infused water tips

You don’t need a ton of fruit or whatever flavoring agent you’re using. But if you do add more, it will produce a stronger flavor, and you’ll be able to refill it a few times without it being too bland.

As a quick refresher, use fruit that’s ripe but still firm. You don’t want to use overly ripe fruit, or the water won’t last very long, and there’s a chance of contamination from mold.

It’s also important to keep the water refrigerated or add ice if it’s out on the counter. Insulated bottles also work.

Once you add the desired flavoring agents to the bottle, fill it up with water, and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes, preferably 60, or longer. You can definitely make this ahead of time.

Depending on the kind of fruit, veggie, or herb used and how ripe it is, the water will last 3–4 days without spoiling.

It lasts longer if you strain out the fruit, veggies, or herbs. If you’ve left it out any longer, smell and taste it to be sure it’s still fresh enough to drink.

The water might get a little cloudy from certain ingredients, like fresh ginger.

I lean toward keeping leafy herbs in the water for only 1–2 days because they start to deteriorate; rosemary will last longer. You can always add more later.

Fruit spoils more easily than vegetables, so keep that in mind, especially if it’s been cut.

Want more flavor ideas?

Check out these 25 fruit-infused water blends and these immunity-boosting blends. And check out our complete how to make infused water guide for more tips and tricks!

This article was medically reviewed by Dr. Gina Jansheski, a licensed, board-certified physician who has been practicing for more than 20 years. Learn more about Hello Glow’s medical reviewers here. As always, this is not personal medical advice, and we recommend that you talk with your doctor.

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