How to Make Water Taste Better

It is widely acknowledged that increasing water intake is beneficial, yet finding plain water unappealing can make this task challenging. Fortunately, there are numerous natural ingredients that can enhance the taste of water without resorting to processed sugar, making it easy to add flavour. If you're prepared for a delicious refreshment after pouring yourself a generous glass of water, read on.

Things You Should Know

You can improve the taste of your water by incorporating fruits, cucumbers, or herbs. Allow the flavoured water to chill for about two hours before consuming it. For a quick burst of flavour, mix in a dash of fruit juice, tea, or vegetable juice. If you're aiming to cut down on soda intake, try squeezing citrus juice into a glass of sparkling water instead.

Citrus
For a lively and refreshing taste, add a slice or wedge of citrus to your water. Lime, orange, and grapefruit impart delightful flavors, but using a squeeze of lemon is a traditional way to enhance water's taste! For a stronger taste, gently press a few citrus wedges into your glass or let the fruit float in the water. If you're infusing a large pitcher of water with orange wedges or slices, remember to remove the fruit after four hours to prevent the rinds from making the water bitter.
Berries
To add a touch of sweetness to your water, consider incorporating frozen or fresh fruit. Add a small handful of berries to each glass, such as blueberries, strawberries, blackberries, or raspberries. Before pouring in the water, gently mash the berries at the bottom of your glass using the handle of a large spoon to allow them to infuse with the water. If you prefer the berries to remain whole in your glass, start by adding them to your cup before pouring in the water and adding ice cubes. As you drink, the ice will help keep the berries from floating to the surface and touching your lips.
Exotic Fruit and Melons
To infuse your water with a distinctive sweetness, consider slicing mangoes, papayas, or watermelons. Experiment with various fruits and flavors by adding exotic fruits to your water. Slice up star fruit, kiwi, or kumquats and add them to a pitcher, or opt for juicy melons like watermelon and honeydew. Not only will they enhance the taste of your water, but they will also add a visually stunning touch! When seeking inspiration for flavored water, explore the produce section of the grocery store for visually appealing options. Why not try cherries, dragon fruit, or pomegranates?
Cucumber
Create your own spa water by using refreshing cucumber slices. For a more robust flavour, peel the cucumber before slicing it. Place the slices into your water and refrigerate until the cucumber flavour infuses into it; the longer it chills, the stronger the taste becomes. To complete this spa-like beverage, add a couple of fresh mint sprigs or a wedge of lemon.
Fresh Herbs
To add a herbal touch to your water, gently crush some sage, basil, or mint in your glass. Fill your glass with the herbs and use the handle of a large wooden spoon to crush them lightly. The water quickly absorbs the distinct flavour of the fresh herbs. Experiment with different combinations of fresh fruit and herbs to craft your own personalised flavoured water. For example, try combinations like watermelon-mint, strawberry-basil, or lemon-thyme water. If you prefer a milder herbal flavour, instead of crushing the herbs directly, you can place them in a tea infuser and immerse them in the water.
Juice or Tea
For a gently flavored drink, mix in a splash of your preferred juice or tea. To cut down on calories without entirely forgoing juice or soda, blend a small quantity of juice or chilled tea with plain or fizzy water. Envision your lightly fruity drink as a refreshing spritzer. If you prefer a sweeter taste, consider adding apple juice, grape juice, orange juice, or fruit cocktail. For a more subtle flavor, experiment with green, black, or herbal tea. For those inclined towards a savory drink, opt for tomato or vegetable juice. You can also include fresh tomato slices, which are rich in lycopene.
Fruit and vegetable peels
If you don't plan to use whole vegetables, utilize your kitchen scraps. While cooking, save leftover fruit and vegetable pieces to add to a pitcher of water. For instance, include herb stems and cucumber ends in one glass of water, or apple peels, lemon rinds, and strawberry tops in another. Refrigerate the water for two hours to let the flavors infuse. When using produce in your water, opt for organic options to avoid pesticide accumulation in peels and skins. Store your vegetable or fruit-infused water in the refrigerator for two to three days. Beyond three days, the produce loses its flavor and texture, so discard it, even if you continue to add water during that period.
Seltzer or sparkling water
If you enjoy the taste of your favorite carbonated drink, consider switching to sparkling water. Sometimes, just adding carbonation to water can make it more enjoyable to drink. Nowadays, it's easier to find naturally flavored sparkling water without added sweeteners, offering you the option to enjoy flavor without the excess sugar. Explore options like tonic water, club soda, or mineral water alongside seltzer water.
Water flavor enhancers
For an instant burst of flavor, mix a low-calorie flavor enhancer into water. If you're short on time and can't chop up fruits or vegetables to add to your water, there are still options available. Low-calorie water enhancers come in liquid or powder form. To enjoy, simply mix a few drops of the powder packet with cold water. Most water flavor enhancers use artificial sweeteners like sucralose to add sweetness. However, if you prefer to avoid artificial sweeteners, look for natural options like cane sugar or stevia in the ingredients list.
Cinnamon
For a beverage with a subtle hint of spice, include a cinnamon stick. Simply place the cinnamon stick in your glass and let the water cool overnight for delicately fragrant cinnamon-infused water. To intensify the spice level, heat 1 stick of cinnamon in a pot with 1 cup (240 ml) water; bring it to a simmer. Once the cinnamon water has cooled, pour it over ice for a refreshing drink. Adding cinnamon to your drink is beneficial as it possesses anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties, making it a healthy choice.
Juice ice cubes
To create a drink with a subtle hint of spice, include a cinnamon stick. Just place the cinnamon stick in your glass and refrigerate the water overnight for a delicately scented cinnamon-infused water. For a spicier taste, heat 1 stick of cinnamon in a pot with 1 cup (240 ml) water and bring it to a simmer. Once the cinnamon water has cooled, pour it over ice for a refreshing beverage. Adding cinnamon to your drink is beneficial as it possesses anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties, making it a healthy addition to your routine.
Filtration
To improve the taste of tap water, consider using a filtration system. If the tap water has an unpleasant taste, you can either install a filtration system directly onto the faucet or use a pitcher with built-in filtration. You'll be surprised by how much better your water tastes after taking this simple step. If you don't have access to a filtration system or if drinking tap water is not advisable for you, boil water in a pot vigorously for a full minute. Allow the boiled water to cool before consuming it.
Minerals and Powdered Greens
Enhance your water with powdered greens or trace mineral drops for added nutrition. By adding a few drops of trace mineral drops, you can give your drink a taste similar to alkaline tonic water. If you're looking to boost your nutrient intake, consider drinking your greens. Simply add the powdered greens to your water and stir to enjoy the additional nutrients! If you encounter difficulty in dissolving the powdered greens in the water, pulse it for a short duration.