How To Make Flavored Water | The Nibble Webzine Of Food Adventures

TIP OF THE DAY: Make Flavored Water

January 4, 2019 at 8:24 am · Filed under Beverages, Diet Nibbles, Recipes, Tip Of The Day

For some of us, a refreshing drink is a glass of still water, flavored with fruit. Hint, with 12 flavors (plus 7 sparkling and 2 caffeinated waters), is one of our go-to’s.

By necessity, bottled still water uses fruit extracts instead of actual fruit juice. But the flavors from the real fruits infused in the water are more refreshing…and we might even say, dazzling.

Adding fresh fruit to a pitcher of water is often called “spa water,” served at spas and salons.

Here are four spa water/fruit water recipes adapted from The Pampered Chef.

All you need to try them is a pitcher and fruit, with an accent of fresh herbs. Slice the fruit, add it to water with the herbs, let it infuse, and that’s it!

TIPS & HINTS

The longer the fruit infuses, the more flavorful the water will be.

Some fruits and herbs infuse at different rates. For example, citrus releases flavor quickly. Mint infuses quickly, rosemary can take a little longer.

Thin slices enable the water to infuse more quickly than thicker ones.

If you find that citrus peel is too bitter for you (we like it), remove the peel next time.

Citrus flavor infuses even more quickly if you roll the fruit on the counter before slicing. Use your hand for pressure; it releases the juices.

Some berries release color into the water. We consider that a bonus!

These recipes are deliberately simple. As you make further batches, layer more fruits. Almost all of them work (leave out the durian and the noni.) We especially like to add apples and strawberries.

Infusing

You’ll get more flavor if you allow the water to infuse at room temperature for an hour, and then refrigerate it.

For the water, ideally use filtered or spring water. If you don’t have it, let tap water stand for 10 minutes to any allow mineral or chemical aromas to evaporate.

RECIPE #1: CITRUS MINT WATER

If you want pure citrus flavors, leave out the mint.

Ingredients Per Pitcher

1 small grapefruit

1 lime

1 lemon

1 orange

8-10 mint sprigs

Preparation

1. CUT the citrus in half. Juice one half of each fruit and add the juice to the pitcher.

2. CUT the other half of the citrus fruits into thin slices and add to the pitcher.

[1] Citrus Mint Water (all photos courtesy The Pampered Chef).

[2] Grapefruit Rosemary Water.

Lemon Cucumber Ginger Water
[3] Lemon Cucumber Water.

[4] Orange Mango Water.

3. FILL the pitcher with water. Refrigerate for 20 minutes or longer to allow the flavors to meld; or first let sit on the counter for an hour.

RECIPE #2: GRAPEFRUIT ROSEMARY WATER

Ingredients Per Pitcher

1 grapefruit, halved and thinly sliced

1 orange, thinly sliced

8–10 sprigs fresh rosemary

Preparation

1. FILL the bottom of the pitcher with the sliced fruit and rosemary,then top with water.

2. REFRIGERATE for 20 minutes or longer to allow the flavors to meld; or first let sit on the counter for an hour.

RECIPE #3: LEMON GINGER CUCUMBER MINT WATER

Ingredients Per Pitcher

4” (10 cm) piece of cucumber, sliced, halved

1 lemon, thinly sliced

¼ cup (50 mL) thinly sliced peeled ginger

6 sprigs fresh mint

Preparation

1. ADD all ingredients to the pitcher, then top with water.

2. REFRIGERATE for 20 minutes or longer to allow the flavors to meld; or first let sit on the counter for an hour.

RECIPE #4: RECIPE: ORANGE MANGO WATER

Ingredients Per Pitcher

2 medium oranges, sliced

1 peeled mango, thinly sliced

Optional: 1-2 teaspoons lemon or lime zest

Preparation

1. SLICE the orange: First cut in half lengthwise, then place the cut-side down to slice crosswise.

2. PEEL and slice the mango. Add the fruits to the pitcher and top with water. Refrigerate at least 20 minutes before serving; or first let sit on the counter for an hour.

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