We all know how essential it is to stay hydrated, but sometimes plain water can taste a bit bland and unappealing. The good news is that there are several creative ways to enhance the flavor of water, making it more enjoyable and encouraging you to drink more.
Let’s explore 10 genius ways to make water taste better, ensuring you stay hydrated and refreshed throughout the day!
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Put some veggies
It might not be common practice to put vegetables in your water, but there are a number of vegetables that work just as well as fruits to impart flavor. (Consider combining them with fruits to provide a touch of sweetness and a touch of balance to their savory flavor.) Cucumbers and zucchini, which both have a low acidity and a high water content naturally, are typically the best selections. In spite of this, feel free to incorporate some more uncommon options, such as carrots, which have an earthy flavor, or radishes, which have a peppery flavor.
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Include some fresh fruit
A few slices of fruit are all that stand between you and water with a deliciously fruity flavor. According to Taub-Dix, he loves to keep a large pitcher of water filled with ripe, cut fruit in the refrigerator at all times. Not only does it look beautiful, he actually serves it when he hosts dinner parties, but it also provides hydration. You could use a pitcher that has a built-in infuser, which allows you to steep your favorite fruits in a removable cone, or you could simply place one or two slices of fruit in your glass and muddle them.
In terms of which fruits to include, citrus fruits such as lemons, limes, and oranges are time-honored water enhancers, but the flavors of other fruits may also pique your interest. Taub-Dix highly recommends the fruits watermelon, strawberries, and ripe peaches. Think of it as a non-alcoholic version of sangria!
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Include herbs
In the midst of all this talk about infusions, don’t overlook the importance of fresh herbs. Adding just a few sprigs of thyme, lavender, rosemary, mint, or basil to your water is all that is required to make it look more impressive. In addition, there is no impact on calorie intake. Use your imagination to come up with your very own unique combination of different kinds of herbs, fruits, and/or vegetables.
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Make use of a filter
A better way to eliminate any unpleasant tastes and make drinking water more enjoyable is to install a water filter in your home or purchase a bottle with a built-in filter, such as the LifeStraw-filtered Camelback Eddy. You might be surprised at how much filtering out the contaminants in the water can improve its taste because the water that comes out of your faucet might not have much flavor depending on where you live.
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Include flavor quickly
The trend of WaterTok provides a plethora of ideas for imparting flavor to water by employing powders and syrups, and there is no shortage of these ideas. However, these additions can result in a significant increase in the total number of calories and sugars. Consider using sugar-free drink mixes or low-calorie electrolyte powders if you’re searching for an easy way to quickly amp up the flavor of your beverage. These will enhance the flavor without derailing your efforts to improve your health. You should look for a powder that does not contain any artificial sweeteners or colors, like LMNT or Gainful.
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Put a tea bag inside of it
Tea is just as hydrating as water, just like sparkling water, and it can add a whole new world of personality to your cup. Just like sparkling water, tea is every bit as hydrating as plain water. Whether it’s served hot or cold, unsweetened tea has zero calories and, depending on the variety may also include antioxidants.
In addition to the vast selection of international flavors that are available both online and in physical locations, you now have the option of infusing your tea with fruit, just like you would with ordinary water. In a hot mug of herbal tea (such as apple cinnamon tea), you can put a piece of fruit that has been chopped up, such as an apple. This is one of my favorite tips. According to Taub-Dix, at the end of your beverage, you will have a delectably cooked fruit that will taste quite similar to an apple that has been baked.
Always examine the amount of caffeine that is included in a tea before purchasing it. Consuming a caffeinated beverage throughout the day may cause you to feel agitated.
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Use your imagination with ice
You like ice water in tall glasses, right? Its allure could have a rational basis in science. According to one study, drinking cold water can dull your sense of taste and make it harder to detect contaminants. Try filling your glass with crushed or cubed ice, depending on your preference, to see if the coolness helps.
Meanwhile, ice presents its own unique possibilities for spicing up the hydration experience while being nothing more than frozen water. You can add cut fruit (like lemon, lime, and orange slices) to ice cube trays of water. Then, when it’s time to refill the bottle, drop in the colorful cubes and wait for the melting to infuse the liquid with flavor. Frozen juice, coffee, or tea are also delicious options for flavored ice. Use ice cube trays that create unique forms, like stars, circles, or fish, for even more amusement.
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Making use of juice
Not only does a dash of juice in your glass of water give it a much-needed taste, but it also creates an appealing hue, and depending on the type of juice you choose, it can even boost the nutritional value of your beverage while contributing very few more calories. Juices that are one hundred percent fruit or vegetable content generally contain micronutrients, such as vitamin C, in addition to antioxidants that are beneficial.
Cranberry, pomegranate, grape, and apple juices are particularly tasty when used as a base flavor for water. However, you can use any type of fruit juice to achieve this effect. Choose juices that are 100 percent natural and do not contain any added sugars.
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Create some stock or bone broth
Bone broth is acceptable for many different types of intermittent fasting regimens because it has so few calories. These plans recognize that the broth will not cause the fast to be broken. On the other hand, drinking broth, stock, and other similar liquids can be a warm and reassuring way to stay hydrated. According to Cedars-Sinai, they are essentially composed of water in which bones and/or aromatics have been soaked for an extended period of time, which extracts trace amounts of protein and collagen. It is known that both bone broth and stock are nearly as hydrating as pure water, which is true regardless of whether you use them in soups and sauces or just sip them straight.
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Make it as sparkling as you can
Does drinking carbonated water count toward your recommended daily consumption of fluids? Certainly not! According to the findings of a study that was published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition in the past, carbonated water is equally as hydrating as still water. If the idea of drinking plain water doesn’t excite you, you may try naturally carbonated mineral water instead, which will provide you with the additional advantage of minerals. You might also try drinking flavored, fizzy water. These days, sparkling waters are available in a dizzying array of flavors, ranging from apple cider to limoncello.
Drinking enough water doesn’t have to be a chore. With these 10 genius ways to make water taste better, you can transform your hydration routine into a flavorful and enjoyable experience. Experiment with different combinations and find the ones that tickle your taste buds the most.