Summer beverages you can feel good about!

Mmmm… flavored waters.  Yes, yes–I’m serious.  About 2 years ago, a friend introduced me to one and I was HOOKED!  It was called “orange Creamsicle” and it was nothing more than opened and scraped vanilla bean and orange slices steeped in a pitcher of water.

WHAT???

Yes, friends… WAH-TAAAAAH!!!

You can do it by the pitcher or by the glass.  I happen to really like the method used by The Yummy Life, but you can certainly do it on the fly and still enjoy some delicious and beautiful beverages!  Here are some great ingredients and combinations with some good tips!  Caveat: this is one area where I’d be sure to go organic.  😉  You can Google for actual amounts if you feel you need them using the search terms “flavored water recipes” or “spa water recipes”.  You could also grab a recipe book!  Try  “Cool Waters: 50 Refreshing, Healthy Homemade Thirst-Quenchers” or “Spa Water: A Guide to Creating World Class Spa Water at Home”

• Any citrus or combination of citrus fruits sliced up–oranges, lemon, lime, grapefruit… experiment.  For stronger flavor, squeeze the rind into the water, too.  You could also quarter them and squeeze the juice in–which will give you more flavor faster.
• Fresh herbs:  peppermint, spearmint, rosemary, basil, lemongrass, lemon balm (LOVE this!  Even for tea!)… just about any herb can be used although some are better when combined with something else.  Be sure to scrunch fresh herbs up in your hands or crush them right in the glass/pitcher to release their oils/flavors.
• Fruits–cut up or balled to expose the internal side where the juices flow.
• BERRIES!  I like to mash mine a bit before adding water to break them open and expose the juices inside.
• Some veggies make for great additions–especially cucumber.  It adds a lovely underlying flavor.  Scallions give a little zing without being overpowering.
• Seaweed–great for adding loads of minerals to your water and usually won’t impart too strong of a taste!
• Edible flowers–beautiful and tasty!  Lavender, nasturtium, violets, rose petals–the list is pretty long!

 

Some great combos:

• Lemon, thyme and ginger
• Orange and rosemary
• Cucumber with fennel fronds
• Cucumber-lemon-basil
• Strawberry and basil
• Lemon, lime, orange, red grapefruit and mint
• Watermelon, pineapple and lime
• Mint, ginger slices and pineapple
• Orange with vanilla bean
• Strawberry, mint and some chili pepper
• Blackberry and lavender

These make GREAT party drink alternatives and kids LOOOOOVE them-especially with “stuff” inside.  You could even create a “make your own water” bar instead of a “create your own Sundae” bar.  😉

And don’t forget that you could totally carry this over into your ice cubes!  Make flavored ice cubes or ice cubes with pretty flowers in them.  Experiment!!!