You’ve heard of the commercial product called Vitamin Water, right? They come in all sorts of colors and flavors, and the producers (a subsidiary of Coca-Cola – ughh!) claim a whole list of health benefits from this magical water. Well, there’s been recent controversy over those claims, so what you’re really left with is essentially an overpriced bottle of colored, sugar water. Nothing healthy about that. But you know what is healthy? Making your own at home, of course!
I’d seen this idea passed around Homesteading/Survivalism’s Facebook page (awesome page!) a few months ago and thought it was really neat! I filed it away in the back of my mind and pretty much forgot about it, really.
Then last month, when we were visiting family down in Florida, my mom and I went to visit some friends, and my dear friend, Maram, made these gorgeous looking fruit-infused water coolers with strawberries, lemons and limes.
They were so tasty and refreshing, and were a nice change from just plain water. Not to mention how beautiful they looked on the table!
I quickly snapped some pictures because I knew I had to share them with you all! They’re so easy to make and so customizable! I’ve included some links below with more info on the health benefits of real vitamin water (as opposed to the commercial stuff, which isn’t really vitamins or water), as well as some great flavor combinations you can try.
Enjoy!
Homemade Vitamin Water
Ingredients
- 1 quart filtered water
- 1-2 cups fruit/veg (ie: strawberries, oranges, watermelon, cucumber, etc.)
- 2-3 tablespoons fresh herbs (ie: mint, rosemary, lavender, etc.)
- ice
Instructions
- Slice fruit into very thin slices and add to a large pitcher.
- Lightly smash them with a wooden spoon to help release their juices.
- Gently bruise the herb leaves and add to the pitcher.
- Add ice, then fill pitcher with water.
- Allow to infuse for at least 3-4 hours, or overnight.
- Water will stay fresh in the fridge for up to 3 days.
For more tips and some great flavor combinations, check out these links:
- http://worldtruth.tv/how-to-make-homemade-vitamin-water/
- http://www.amywhitefitness.com/?p=701
- http://www.zainsaraswatijamal.com/site/recipes/zains-signature-vitamin-water-five-flavours/
- http://www.paleo-recipe.com/paleo-friendly-vitamin-water/
Going to make the fresh water now, I have trouble drinking enough water, hope this helps.
I hope it helps you, Linda!
Love this recipe! Adding mint to any Vitamin Water recipe makes it delicious, but the idea of rosemary is one I had not thought of before! Would you be interested in adding my site to the list of vitamin water resources? I have six great home made vitamin water recipes at http://www.paleo-recipe.com/paleo-friendly-vitamin-water/
Joel, your list looks amazing! I’ve added to the bottom of my post. Thanks!
The jar that you use looks as though it has a stainless spigot on it. Is that stainless steal? Where did you find this glass infusion jar?
Really nice “tiny tip” for making home vitamin water. I also like vitamin water to make home.
Hi Sarah! This is such a great post. But I need your help here. Since this is a new thing for me, can you suggest or recommend the fruits and herbs combination that you’ve tried so far? Which one you like most? Thank you =)
Hey Sofia! My personal favorites are cucumber/mint or cucumber/melon, but I also love berries/citrus. At the bottom of the post, there are some links to some other great flavor combinations that I’ve found online, if you want to check them out. 🙂
Thanks so much for linking up to Say G’Day Saturday! I just pinned this post and shared it on twitter and Facebook.
I haven’t shared anything frugal or natural lately but when I do I’ll be sure to link up here!
This week’s party has just started so I hope you can join in again!
Take care and have a wonderful weekend!
Best wishes,
Natasha in Oz
Thanks for sharing it, Natasha! 🙂 I’ll definitely be over to share some more posts!
You have a great weekend too. I’ll see you on Instagram 🙂
Awesome!! I usually just add lemon to my water, but now I want to do this. Thanks for sharing!
Visiting from Foodie Friday.
Thanks for stopping by CountryMommaCooks and linking up at our Saturday Link and Greet Party…hope to see you again tonight : )
Deana @ CountryMommaCooks
Your vitamin water is a fabulous idea! What a tasty way to get so much nutrition! I guess when the water is gone, just throw the fruit into a blender and make a smoothie?
Yep! I forgot to mention that in the post so thanks for reminding me 🙂
been told that okra ladies fingers into water cut top bottom off first is good for diabetics so wondered if you herd about this and think it would work putting it in with other fruit ect like your ieda above ?
Yum! The vitamin water looks delicious and refreshing!
Thanks for sharing with my Super Link Party! 🙂
Hi!
Thanks for letting me share my own recipe of helathy and tasty Soda Pop Substitute: Essential “Oil” Sassy Water!
Here’s the link:
http://www.momessentials.net/soda-substitute-essential-oil-water/
I have really wanted to try this! I am breastfeeding and I am always so thirsty, so this would make a great addition to all of the water I drink!
Absolutely, Paige! I’m also breastfeeding and this is so refreshing, and a nice change to plain old water.
Sarah,
Love it! I will try to emulate your recipe!
I pinned this. The water looks so refreshing and so beautiful, it makes me want to go make some right now. Thanks for hosting!
Thank you for listing your Tiny Tip Tuesday Blog Hop with us at LinkyHere.com. We look forward to working with you!
Shasta
LinkyHere Team
This looks yummy, and so much better than bottled sugar water!
Thanks for hosting, I shared one of my most popular postings today. I would love for you to share some of your “tips” on my new blog hop.
http://offthegridat-30.blogspot.ca/2012/07/frugal-i-did-it-tuesday-2.html
Thanks for hosting!!
Thanks again for the link up and pinning my Apartment Homesteading post last week! Your vitamin water would go great with today’s blog, How to naturally treat heat exhaustion #23. Have a great week!
Amanda- Natural Living Mamma
One time after a massage they gave me a glass of water and it tasted like watermelon and I said okay what is this … they sliced watermelon into the water … it was so tasty and then another time they had cut up cucumber into it … never thought to do that 🙂 It was so tasty and no sugar needed! 🙂
Mmm, watermelon sounds amazing!! Thanks for sharing 🙂
I always enjoy cucumber and mint water. I made vitamin water with a variety of citrus fruits once and it was a little too tart for me! Strawberries sound good and your water looks beautiful! 🙂
Thanks Krissa! Cucumber and mint sounds so refreshing, thanks for the idea 🙂
That is such a great idea and it sounds yummy, I’m going to have to try it! Thanks again for hosting, Sarah! Today I’m sharing my favorite 5 natural stain removers!
Thanks for hosting and have a great day : )
I have wanted to try making this. It looks so refreshing and beautiful. Thanks for hosting!
Your vitamin water looks like a great idea! Thanks for hosting the party!
Melissa @ The Alchemist
Try fresh ginger lemon sliced and fresh ment with brown sugar and sparkling water
That sounds amazing, Nosayba! Thanks for sharing 🙂