How to Make Your Water More Flavourful

You will no doubt have already been told or asked or read somewhere that you have to drink 8 glasses of water a day to maintain healthy bodily functions. This notion has been pushed down our throats for as long as we can remember, and not without reason. Drinking two liters of water daily is imperative to stave off dehydration and also to ensure cell and nuclear functions within the body. Water is the body’s principal component and makes up 60 per cent of your body weight.

Eight glasses is just a recommendation, how much water you require depends on how active you are and where you live. In the Middle East, we tend to perspire more due to the fact that we are living in hot climates. Furthermore any activity that you partake in will have an effect on the levels of perspiration from person to person. The Mayo Clinic suggests that the mantra should be changed from eight glasses of water to eight glasses of fluid a day. Essentially this is what the body requires.

However, water is still seen as the healthiest fluid to consume when compared with various sodas, juices and coffees that people consume on a daily basis. Tea comes in at a close second especially herbal tea with no additives such as milk or sugar.

The problem for some people is that water is boring. It really doesn’t have to be, with a little bit of imagination and some flare you can make delicious waters that will entice the little ones and delight your friends. You can make flavoured waters that are vibrant in colour and have a delicious hint of fruit or herbs. They just make drinking water more fun. Keep in mind that these waters are the epitome of a healthy drink and are therefore not sweet or artificially flavoured. Their taste and vibrancy comes solely from the fresh fruit and herbs that you choose to put in them.

The first thing that you should do is collect some jars, use the pickle and beetroot glass jars that have been emptied. Wash them well in order to get rid of any remaining acidity and pickle smell. You can use any glass containers or jugs to make the water as well. Then cut up fruit and vegetables and herbs, whatever your heart desires and top with ice and water. These will keep in the fridge for up to 4 days, depending on the ripeness of the fruit. All water tastes better when left in the fridge for a few hours so that the flavours infuse.

There are three flavour combinations that I favour for my water. The first is a citrus one when I slice oranges, lemons and grapefruit into my water. It gives it a refreshing summer taste and there is nothing better than muddling the citrus in your glass making it more of a fruity-ade then a water drink.

 

The second is the combination of fresh strawberries and sliced cucumber. This is bursting with flavour and the fruit and vegetable go really well together. This kind of water makes getting your five-a-day much easier as you can crunch through the fruit and veggies once you have finished drinking your water.

The third and possibly my favourite flavours to combine are that of fresh strawberry and basil. Basil has such a wonderful aroma and it always reminds me of great food and even better daiquiris back home. Even just fresh strawberries marinated in balsamic vinegar and basil really float my boat when served with fresh cream.

However, if these flavours are not for you there are a multitude of great fruits that you can choose to make some flavoured water with. Just make sure that the fruit is ripe to get a maximum burst of flavour out of it. Just stay away from fruits that flour such as bananas as these will make your water look cloudy and have a weird texture.

Great fruit to use include any berries; such as blueberries, blackberries, strawberries, cherries and raspberries. Pineapple, watermelon, cantaloupe, apples, mangoes and papayas also give a great flavour to water. Pair these fruits up with fresh aromatic herbs such as basil, rosemary, mint, thyme and sage and you’ll wow the neighborhood with the great infused water that you have made.

Not only will you be getting your eight glasses a day, they will have a wonderful subtle flavour to them. Remember that you can eat the fruit and even munch on the herbs while you’re having a drink thereby refreshing your entire body and taking on any challenge. You could even use frozen varieties of your favourite fruits if the fresh ones are out of season.