Infused Water

I was inspired to investigate infused water because my Mother had an aversion to water. She simply did not like it. Since then, I have learned that a good friend also dislikes drinking water. Since we should drink 64 ounces of water per day, it's a good idea to make the water as tasty as possible. This can be accomplished by infusing the water. I use a glass pitcher specially designed with a tube down the center which holds the fruits and vegetables. The infused water pours for drinking without any bits of fruit.

The minimum time for infusion is 30 minutes in the refrigerator. I like to let mine infuse for at least two hours before drinking. In Mexico these drinks are called Agua Fresca, and they are sold everywhere!

Use any combination of fruit, vegetables, flowers and herbs that you can imagine. Edible flower petals (that have not been sprayed with pesticides) can also be used. It's all a matter of personal taste. I prefer to not use sugar, but if you must, use Truvia or local or organic honey. Do not, under any circumstances, use Aspartame in any form as it is extremely unhealthy.

The following are suggestions for one quart (4 cups) water and ice. For larger quantities, the ingredients are easily multiplied.

Classic Spa Water

10 thin slices cucumber
3 thin slices lemon
3 (2-inch) sprigs fresh mint, slightly crushed
2 (2-inch) sprigs fresh rosemary, slightly crushed

Tangerine

3 tangerines, sliced
2-3 sprigs fennel
2-3 sprigs thyme

Strawberry and Mint

Thinly sliced strawberries
Mint sprigs

Pineapple and Mint

Pineapple slices
Mint sprigs

Cucumber and Mint

Thin cucumber slices
Mint sprigs

Citrus

Freshly cut oranges
1/2 lime, sliced
1/2 inch fresh ginger, thinly sliced

Strawberry and Cantaloupe

Cantaloupe, cut into 4 long wedges
12 strawberries, cut in half

Raspberry and Lemon

2 slices lemon
20 raspberries

Pear

5 pears, thinly sliced
1 small lemon, thinly sliced
2 cinnamon sticks

Cherry Limeade

1 Key lime, thinly sliced
6 pitted cherries, cut in half
1 sprig mint

Strawberry and Kiwi

1 small box strawberries, sliced
6 kiwifruit, peeled and sliced

Peaches and Cream

5 very ripe peaches, pitted and sliced thinly
8 vanilla beans, sliced down the middle
2 tablespoons organic honey

Pomegranate and Blueberry

1 small box blueberries
1 to 2 cups fresh pomegranate seeds

Patriotic

Slices or cubes fresh pineapple
Sliced strawberries
Blueberries, pierced

Mango and Orange

1 thinly sliced ripe mango
1 orange, thinly sliced

Mango and Green Tea

4 green tea bags, steeped in the boiling water
1 cup pureed ripe mango
2 tablespoons honey

Strawberry and Basil

Sliced strawberries
fresh basil leaves

Lemon and Cucumber

Sliced lemon
Sliced cucumber

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Author: Linda Jolly, Recipe Goldmine
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