5 Flavored Water Recipes {with Simple Variations}

Despite having a whole selection of drink recipes here on this blog, water is pretty much the only thing I drink! Hands down it would be one of my three items if ever I was stranded on a desert island, and no coffee is not the first thing I go looking for in the morning, but a tall glass of ice, cold water! Fortunately, never in my life have I struggled to get my “8 cups” a day, because drinking water is so natural for me. That is, until I moved into my current home. I don’t know if it is just the area I live or the pipes, but the water here is not refreshing (I swear even my friends and family have had detailed dinner conversations about mysterious “floaters” they sometimes see in the tap water) and used to leave me struggling to get my recommended water intake.

Missing my refreshing, ice cold water (and tired of embarrassing dinner conversations) I went on a mission to get refreshing, clean water back into my daily routine! One thing that helped, was getting bottled Ozarka water by the case load at my local Walmart store. I always try to keep several of these individual bottles of water in my fridge, so that I can have cold water to grab on the go when I am headed out the door to go workout or teach a class. They have also been great to have on hand when I have guests over and don’t want to be embarrassed by my awful tap water. These individual Ozarka bottles are also super convenient for guests to take water with them on the go as well, and not have to worry about them taking any of my cups or glasses.

However, even though bottled water is convenient for all those reasons plus many more (can we say camping, tailgating, birthday parties, road trips, wedding ‘welcome’ bags…etc.), I feel like am always running out of bottles and taking loads to recycling. It would be awesome and super convenient if my local Walmart carried the the 5 Gallon Nestlé Pure Life bottle water containers. These would be perfect for at home drinking, cooking or “fancier” entertaining when I may want a pitcher of water instead of individual bottles. Not only that, the 5 Gallon Nestlé Water bottles are made from PET plastic which is BPA-free and are better for the environment because the bottle can be returned to the store for refilling (which is also more cost effective in the long run) and ultimately recycling. For more information and water tips visit Ozarka online and follow them on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram!

Even though I love my water, sometimes I want something with a bit more flavor and personality, while still being healthy. That’s why I love all natural flavor infused waters. These waters are so refreshing and easy to throw together. They are great as a late afternoon water break, or can be sipped all day long. While the recipes I am sharing today are for one, feel free to double, triple or quadruple the recipe, as I often do, to serve as an elegant drink at a baby shower or at home spa day with friends.

Here are a few quick tips for homemade flavored infused water:

• Make several batches and/or varieties of flavored water at one time, and store water in mason jars or plastic reusable bottles with tight fitting lids, in the refrigerator for up to 24 hours. This means that as soon as you get thirsty you have a refreshing, healthy and flavorful drink ready to go! 
• While I am providing five different simple flavored water recipes today; I have also included notes on ways you can change the base recipe. However, feel free to create your own concoctions by mixing different fresh fruits, fresh herbs and spices or even adding some sliced jalapeno for a spicy kick! 

5 Flavored Water Recipes {with Simple Variations}:

Apple Spice Flavored Water
Printable Version
Prep Time: 5 Wait Time: 10 minutes Yields: 2 cups

Ingredients:
1 (16.9 ounce) bottle Ozarka Water (or 2 cups)
10-12 thinly sliced apple wedges
1-2 dashes apple pie spice (or cinnamon)
Ice, optional for serving

Directions:
Pour water into a large glass. Add apple slices and apple pie spice. Let water sit, to infuse with flavors, for 10-15 minutes, or over night, in the refrigerator. Serve with ice, if desired.

Change It Up: Add a drizzle of honey or maple syrup. Or replace apple with pears.

Cucumber Lime Flavored Water
Printable Version 
Prep Time: 5 Wait Time: 10 minutes Yields: 2 cups

Ingredients:
1 (16.9 ounce) bottle Ozarka Water (or 2 cups)
4-5 slices cucumber
3-4 slices lime (or ½ lime, juiced)
Ice, optional for serving

Directions:
Pour water into a large glass. Add cucumber and lime slices. Let water sit, to infuse with flavors, for 10-15 minutes, or over night, in the refrigerator. Serve with ice, if desired.

Change It Up: Add 1-2 sprigs fresh mint. Or omit lime and add 2-3 sliced strawberries.

Ginger Pear Flavored Water
Printable Version 
Prep Time: 5 Wait Time: 10 minutes Yields: 2 cups

Ingredients:
1 (16.9 ounce) bottle Ozarka Water (or 2 cups)
1/3 cup finely chopped pears
½ teaspoon finely grated fresh ginger
Ice, optional for serving

Directions:
Pour water into a large glass. Add chopped pears and fresh ginger. Let water sit, to infuse with flavors, for 10-15 minutes, or over night, in the refrigerator. Serve with ice, if desired.

Change It Up: Omit pear and add lemon or cucumber slices.

Lemon Basil Flavored Water
Printable Version
Prep Time: 5 Wait Time: 10 minutes Yields: 2 cups

Ingredients:
1 (16.9 ounce) bottle Ozarka Water (or 2 cups)
2 sprigs fresh basil (about 10 basil leaves)
4-5 slices lemon (or ½ lemon, juiced)
Ice, optional for serving

Directions:
Pour water into a large glass. Add fresh basil and lemon slices. Let water sit, to infuse with flavors, for 10-15 minutes, or over night, in the refrigerator. Serve with ice, if desired.

Change It Up: Omit lemon and replace with 2-3 sliced strawberries. Or omit basil and replace with fresh thyme.

Sunny Citrus Flavored Water
Printable Version
Prep Time: 5 Wait Time: 10 minutes Yields: 2 cups

Ingredients:
1 (16.9 ounce) bottle Ozarka Water (or 2 cups)
1-2 lemon wedges
1-2 lime wedges
1 orange wedges
Ice, optional for serving

Directions:
Pour water into a large glass. Squeeze juice from fruit and add juice plus fresh fruit wedges to water. Let water sit, to infuse with flavors, for 10-15 minutes, or over night, in the refrigerator. Serve with ice, if desired.

Change It Up: Omit one citrus fruit from above and replace with 1 grapefruit wedge. Or simply add grapefruit in addition to the other citrus fruit listed in recipe. Or add 3-4 fresh sage leaves.