Staying hydrated is key to a healthy life. This simple, refreshing drink amplifies your water! Cool cucumber, fresh basil, and bright lemon come together for this delightful recipe.
Infused Water: A Healthy, Plant-Based Drink
Staying hydrated is an important part of a healthy lifestyle. However, it can be easy to reach for sugary juices, sodas, and caffeinated coffee drinks. Making infused water is an easy, plant-based alternative! By incorporating ingredients like cucumber, basil, and lemon, there are plenty of possibilities for delicious flavors.
How to Make Infused Water
The best part about making infused water is that it is incredibly easy! Basically, you combine fresh ingredients like fruit, herbs, or citrus, with fresh water. Then, let it sit in the fridge for at least 2 hours. After 2 hours, removed the infused ingredients (you don’t want them to go off and start growing bacteria). Drink you water, and enjoy!
Benefits of Infused Water
There are many health benefits with drinking infused water. First, it will help you stay hydrated. Drinking water infused with flavor can be motivating. This is especially helpful if you’re trying to drink less sodas, juices, or other sugary drinks. Infused water is also a great alternative for alcohol.
Other benefits of infused water include:
- Appetite control
- Immunity-boosting
- Weight management
- Improved pH balance
- Improved skin health
- Alleviate bloating
The Best Fruits for Infused Water
The best fruit to use for making infused water are citrus fruits. Their natural juices release easily into the water for lots of flavor. Oranges, lemons, limes, and grapefruits all work great. Or, you can try more exotic fruits like blood oranges or kumquats.
Berries also work for making infused water. However, you’ll want to mash the berries before adding them to the water. This will help release their juices for a more flavorful drink.
Using Other Herbs for Infused Water
The best herbs for infused water are basil and mint. They add bright flavor and color. Plus, they complement fruit well. However, you can also use herbs like lavender, rosemary, hibiscus leaves, or lemon thyme. Just be sure to use fresh herbs; dried herbs don’t release nearly as much flavor.
Purple Basil Organic Herbs at Chicago’s Green City Farmer’s Market 
Red Garnet Amaranth has a beautiful red color. It is a microgreen that can be used in salads, teas, or garnish soups and tacos 
Fresh basil adds natural, sweet flavor to your healthy plant-based recipes
Watch this Video to Learn More about Infused Waters:
You’ll Love this Healthy, Plant-Based Infused Cucumber Lemon Basil Water Recipe! It is:
- Easy to Make
- A Light, Refreshing Drink
- Perfect for Staying Hydrated
- Perfect for Summer
Chef Katie’s Healthy, Plant-Based Cooking Tips for Refreshing Cucumber Lemon Basil Water:
Don’t Steep past 24 hours: After 24 hours, the cucumber and basil will start to get slimy. Remove these within 4 hours to prevent any contamination.
Frosted Glass Tip: To keep your drink colder for a longer time, freeze your serving glasses. Place in the freezer for at least 4 hours and enjoy the chilly, frosted glass.
Chef Katie’s Herb Tip: You can use other fresh herbs for this drink. Fresh thyme, lavender, Thai basil, and mint would all be delightful!
No Refined Sugar or Syrup? I’m on a mission to get rid of empty calories. This recipe don’t use any refined sugar, maple syrup, or other refined sweetener. The pears and dates provide plenty of sweetness, along with healthy fiber and essential nutrients.
Sweetening Options: However, if you do crave a bit of sweetness, you can stir in a teaspoon of date paste, maple syrup, Stevia, or monkfruit sweetener.
Frosted Glass Tip: To keep your drink colder for a longer time, freeze your serving glasses. Place in the freezer for at least 4 hours and enjoy the chilly, frosted glass. 
Use a combination of fresh herbs and citrus for a refreshing infused water 
Fresh basil infuses water for this simple, delicious recipe
Refreshing Infused Cucumber Lemon Basil Water
- Easy
- Ready In: 30 minutes
- Yield: 1 quart
If you love this recipe, you should also check out: Cold Brew Hibiscus Tea (Agua de Jamaica) with Herb Variations, Vegan Pineapple Coconut Piña Colada Smoothie, Patrick’s Minty Sham-Mock Spirulina Shake, and Creamy Vegan Pumpkin Spice Frappuccino Coffee Smoothie.
Print Recipe
Refreshing Infused Cucumber Lemon Basil Water
Ingredients
- 1 lemon thinly sliced
- 1 cucumber seeded and sliced
- A handful of fresh basil
- 4 cups filtered water
Instructions
- To make the Cucumber Lemon Basil Water: Place a couple cups of ice in a large pitcher. Add the lemon, cucumber, and basil. Fill the pitcher with the filtered water. Let sit at least 30 minutes before enjoying.
Notes
Ready In: 30 minutes
Yield: 1 quart
Nutrition Facts
| Nutrition Facts | |
|---|---|
| Servings 4.0 | |
| Amount Per Serving | |
| calories 19 | |
| % Daily Value * | |
| Total Fat 0 g | 0 % |
| Saturated Fat 0 g | 0 % |
| Monounsaturated Fat 0 g | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat 0 g | |
| Trans Fat 0 g | |
| Cholesterol 0 mg | 0 % |
| Sodium 2 mg | 0 % |
| Potassium 161 mg | 5 % |
| Total Carbohydrate 4 g | 1 % |
| Dietary Fiber 1 g | 4 % |
| Sugars 2 g | |
| Protein 1 g | 2 % |
| Vitamin A | 4 % |
| Vitamin C | 21 % |
| Calcium | 13 % |
| Iron | 1 % |
| * The Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet, so your values may change depending on your calorie needs. The values here may not be 100% accurate because the recipes have not been professionally evaluated nor have they been evaluated by the U.S. FDA. | |
Shopping and Gear List
- Yoassi Extra Fine 18/8 Stainless Steel Tea Infuser Mesh Strainer
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