Fruit-infused water goes one step further than adding fruit to a glass of the wet stuff. We all know the importance of drinking the required amount of water and for those of us who struggle, the people at Hello Glow highlight that, “Making your own infused water is practically calorie free and gives you a refreshing way to stay hydrated.”

What is fruit infused water?

Adding sliced fruit, herbs, or vegetables to water are all refreshing ways to enjoy the daily dose.  However, infusing water with fruit adds much more flavour and offers a far more deeper concentration of vitamins and nutrients.

A water infusion combines cold water with fruit and is then left to stand for up to 2 hours at room temperature, before being chilled in the fridge for up to 24 hours. Once infused, the vitamin-packed drink refreshment can be stored for up to 3 days in the fridge.

How to make a fruit infusion

The selected fruit should ideally be organic but if this is not an option it is important to thoroughly rinse all chemicals, pesticides and any other residue from the outer skin. Slice softer fruit such as berries and citrus in halves or quarters and thinly slice the harder fruit such as apples.

Once the fruit has soaked in the room temperature water for 2 hours it’s important to transfer it to the fridge before bacteria can begin to grow. For citrus fruits it’s advisable to peel before soaking as citrus rind can become bitter if left to infuse for too long.

Once the liquid has been infused for the required length of time it can then be poured into a bottle and enjoyed for up to 8 hours.

Tips and tricks for great infusions

Strawberries and melons begin to look mushy after a few hours; the taste won’t be affected, but the tired and waterlogged appearance may not look so palatable. Berries are great, as they will retain their shape and form for many hours.

Refilling your drink bottle when half full gives you a weaker solution but still gives you a flavoursome drink. Making infused water ice cubes is a great way to use up leftover liquid and adds something special to party drinks.

Some infusion favourites

There are many concoctions of fruit, herbs and vegetables but some of the most popular and refreshing fruit combinations include:

• Grape and orange – leave the orange peel on for a faster infusion time.
• Strawberry, grape, and lime.
• Pineapple and grape.
• Lemon and mandarin – leave the lemon rind on but remove the ends.

Benefits of water infusions

The taste of a water infusion is subtle but full of flavour. A citrus fruit water tastes tangy but fresh, whereas a berry based infusion gives a lovely sweetness. As well as being pleasant on the taste buds a water infusion is certainly pleasing on the eye thanks to the vibrant colours.

With almost zero calories a water infusion makes a great diet drink and a perfect addition to a healthy lifestyle. One of the best things about a fruit infusion is the adaptability. You can basically improvise with whatever is in your fruit bowl to make a refreshing drink that can be sipped all through the day. For an even healthier, tastier water infusion use filtered water.