Most children—those ranging all the way from elementary to college—aren’t huge fans of water. It’s not really known why, after all I’ve always found water tasty even as a small child; but it’s probably because many young students find that water lacks flavor compared to its syrupy and sugary counterparts like soda. But even juice as an alarming amount of sugar—just four glasses have the same sugar content as one can of soda (and that can lead to an array of health aliments). That said, your child needs water to keep hydrated this summer. But even those who don’t really like water may just gulp up a tall glass if you give traditional water some extra pizazz. What are we talking about exactly? Fruit-infused water, which is a low calorie beverage that can help meet your daily water intake as well as help you soak up some great antioxidants along the way. It’s extremely easy to make and the possibilities for flavors are pretty much endless. To learn a few of my favorite recipes, continue reading below.
Strawberry Mint
- A pitcher of water
- 2 cups strawberries, cut into slices
- 5 large fresh mint leaves
For the college-aged kids, this is a way healthier alternative to daiquiris on the rocks. Simply place strawberries and mint leaves to into pitcher, add water. Stir. Refrigerate until cold. Serve over ice. Add some mint leaves on top of each glass to garnish.
Very Berry
- A pitcher of water
- 1 cups strawberries, cut into slices
- ½ blueberries
- ½ blackberries
Instead of traditional fruit punch, try this recipe on for size. Simply place fruit at bottom of pitcher, add water. Stir. Refrigerate until cold. Serve over ice.
Citrus Delight
- A pitcher of water
- One whole lemon, thinly sliced
- One whole lime, thinly sliced
It might not taste exactly like lemon-lime soda, but it’s a whole lot healthier. Place thinly sliced lemons and limes in the pitcher, add water. Stir. Refrigerate until cold. Serve over ice.
Tropical Sunday
- A pitcher of water
- 1 cup of cubed pineapple
- 1 cup of cubed mango
Instead of rainbow sherbet, try this beverage instead. Place the cubed mango and pineapple in the pitcher, add water. Stir. Refrigerate until cold. Serve over ice.
Coo-Coo Cucumber
- A pitcher of water
- 1 cucumber, peeled and sliced
- 2 lemons, sliced
- 3 fresh basil leaves
Last but not least this refreshing infused water is sure to cool off anyone on a hot summer’s day. Place fruit and basil in the pitcher, add water. Stir. Refrigerate until cold. Serve over ice.
Like mentioned before, variations are pretty much endless. Just some creativity needed.
Mariana Ashley is a freelance blogger who primarily writes about how online education and technology are transforming academia as we know it. Having spent a good portion of her professional career trying to reform high schools in East St. Louis, Mariana is particularly interested in how online colleges in Missouri make higher education a possibility for students of all backgrounds. She also thoroughly enjoys writing about health and fitness. She welcomes your comments at mariana.ashley031@gmail.com.
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These are great ideas! Thank you. I do marketing for a company that allows you to infuse water directly into this cute plastic portable water bottle, with the fruit stored in the bottom. The URL is http://www.zinganything.com if you want to check it out.
Hi, My name is Carter and I am a 14 year old entrepreneur who is a 100% supporter of fruit infused water.
After watching “super size me”, I began to research about the negative health effects of soda and juice. Diabetes and obesity sound like terrible diseases. My mother, however, was not following this trend. She would create pitchers of water infused with fruit and drink that through out her day instead. However, when she would run out of the house, she would grab a diet coke or plastic water bottle. I asked my mom “why don’t you make spa water to go and she said she could not” There was not a good fruit infused water bottle out there. One where you could cut up your fruit wand watch it float but not have it float to the top and clog the mouth piece.
I saw the need to make a sustainable, portable version of these pitchers for people on the go. Unfortunately, the only other option for health conscious people is for them to buy plain water or plastic bottles of artificially flavored and sweetened water beverages.
Six months ago I started to create the Define Bottle. The Define Bottle is a cutting edge, glass and bamboo reusable water bottle for great tasting fruit infused water. I took the idea behind fruit infused water pitchers and made it mobile, not to mention stylish. my website is http://www.definebottle.com.
Fruit Infused water is great for kids too. I have 3 younger siblings and they are nuts over it!