Naturally Infused Flavored Waters

With the summer time hot weather, party and picnic season finally here, having inexpensive, healthy and easy to make drinks are so important to staying healthy and not consuming mindless amounts of refined or processed sugars, artificial dyes and who knows what else. Making naturally infused flavored waters is very simple and the ingredients are minimal. Plus, these drinks are refreshing, light and perfect for a hot summer day. Here are a few recipes, but use your imagination and please share your naturally infused water recipes below!

A couple of helpful tips:

1. Use old glass jars to serve them in - mason jars, honey bottles or old milk bottles.
2. If you are going to serve them fresh, keep the mint leaves, lemons or limes in the serving jars. If you are going to let them sit in your refrigerator overnight or for more than an hour or two, I would remove the leaves, lemons or limes because the water will take on too much flavor or the flavor of the peels.
3. Adjust these recipes according to the sweetness you would like. I add minimal honey just to lightly sweeten or take away the tartness of the drink. It's always easier to add more than to remove, so start with light.

Raspberry Lime Cooler

Raspberry Lime Cooler (*Family Favorite*)
To make about 1/2 gallon:
3 squeezed organic limes
1 1/2 cups frozen organic raspberries
2-3 TBS raw honey
Put all ingredients into jar. Fill 3/4 way full with water, put on lid and shake well to mix honey in. Remove lid and fill the rest of the jar with ice. Serve chilled. See Tip #3 above about lime peels.

Green Tea Refreshers

Green Tea Refreshers
To make about 1/2 gallon:
4 organic green tea bags (we use Newman's Own organics)
2-3 TBS raw honey
Steep tea bags in boiling water for 5 minutes. Remove bags and pour into jar with honey. Close lid and shake well. Fill up jar 3/4 full of water and fill remaining with ice. Serve chilled.

Mint Water

Mint Water
To make about 1/2 gallon:
0.3 ounces or 5-6 bundles of organic fresh peppermint leaves on stems
Steep peppermint leaves in hot - boiling water for 2 minutes. Pour water and leaves into jar. Fill 3/4 of jar with water and remaining with ice. Serve chilled. See Tip #3 about removing mint leaves.

Mint Lemonade

Mint Lemonade
To make about 1/2 gallon:
0.3 ounces or 5-6 bundles of organic fresh peppermint leaves on stems
2-3 organic squeezed lemons
3-4 TBS raw honey
Steep peppermint leaves in hot - boiling water for 2 minutes. Pour water and leaves into jar. Put remaining ingredients into jar and fill 3/4 of jar with water. Put lid on jar and mix ingredients well. Fill remaining with ice. Serve chilled. See Tip #3 about removing mint leaves and lemon peels.




Lightly Sweetened Lemonade or Limeade
To make about 1/2 gallon:
2-3 organic squeezed lemons or 3-4 squeezed limes
3-4 TBS raw honey
Put all ingredients into jar and fill 3/4 of jar with water. Put lid on jar and mix ingredients well. Fill remaining with ice. Serve chilled. See Tip #3 about removing peels.