The Mucho Guide to Infused Water
Summer is here to stay and with the heatwave all around us, the number one priority on everyone’s mind is to hydrate, hydrate, HYDRATE. As lovely as water is, there are so many ways to jazz things up — au naturel! “Why bother? It’s just water.” Well firstly it can get BORING. (Sorry water we love you, but yes you are colourless and tasteless — fact.) Your H2o game will be looking ridiculously legit and you’ll be more inclined to drink up if there are a couple of pretty rose petals and mint leaves floating around.. so goes OUR theory anyway. Aesthetics aside, the added health benefits a slice of fruit or veg will bring to your body, is something you should get on board with.
Here are a few colourful accompaniments you could (and honestly SHOULD) add to your water, and their benefits.
Flowers
From the usual suspects, rose and lavender to orange blossom.. floral water has been around since the dawn of time. They are commonly used in beauty products so it doesn’t always come as the first thought to add dried flowers to the water we drink, but besides their sweet taste, many flowers also have amazing health properties. Take hibiscus flowers for example, soaking a handful in boiling water is purported to lower blood pressure and cholesterol levels. Freshly-picked chamomile flowers are also more fragrant then their dried counterpart, and help to calm and relax you.
Fruits
Ahh.. while we may be conditioned for our visuals to be swept away to a large pitcher of Pimm’s, bursting with colourful chopped fruit.. the natural sweetness of fruits can bring new life to water. Lemon has strong antioxidant properties. It’s the first thing we reach for when a cold looms close by, and one of the healthiest things to start your morning with. Just ask mum. The zest of citrus fruits like lemon, lime, orange and grapefruit instantly adds a tasty flavour. Berries (strawberries, blueberries, blackberries) are also a favourite just remember to eat them after, mushy and all! Other tasty choices include kiwis and watermelon — of course!
Herbs
Rosemary water was touted as one of the hottest food trends this Summer. Not just for flavouring and decorating a piping tray of roast chicken, this antiseptic herb can protect skin cells from sun damage and free radicals. Mint is incredibly refreshing and one of the most popular options for infused waters, Moroccan tea and cocktails (mojitooo). It has been used for thousands of years to soothe an upset tummy or indigestion, as well as to calm and soothe the soul. As well as supplying anti-inflammatory and antioxidant benefits, basil adds a quirky twist to your regular water. Turmeric purportedly helps with fatty deposits in the body and drinking this hot with lemon in the water is a favourite. Lemongrass is refreshing and good for aiding with digestive issues.
Vegetables
Cucumbers are possibly the number one vegetable of choice for infused waters and those evenings when your eyes need a little TLC. They are, refreshing with a high water content (95%), so that’s double the hydration — BOOM! You won’t need an app anymore to keep track of how much water you drink in a day. Ginger ; this root vegetable boasts a powerhouse of medicinal properties, from treating nausea to boosting your immune system. There’s good reason why lemon ginger water is probably the best thing you can drink when you’re feeling under the weather. Asparagus water made headlines back in 2015, but for all the wrong reasons. The ridiculous prices (US$6 ~ £4.70) for 3 stalks of asparagus sold in bottles of water resulted in parodies and Whole Foods eventually pulled it off from shelves.
Our Top Combinations
Feel free to play around with combinations, after all there is a reason why Mother Nature has spoiled us with these choices. However, if you wish to go for something tried and tested, the following flavour combinations have definitely won over our tastebuds.
Raspberry + Rosemary
Mint + Chamomile
Lemon + Lavender
Watermelon (or Orange) + Basil
Apple + cinnamon
