Flavoured Water
Water is the foundation of feeling your best, yet many of us find it hard to drink the recommended 2 to 3 litres a day. With a few fresh ingredients like herbs, citrus or ginger, you can turn a plain glass of water into a fragrant refresher that keeps you reaching for more. Whether it's a summery jug, a zesty ginger water or colourful frozen ice cubes, these ideas show just how easy and creative staying hydrated can be. Best of all, you don't need any special skills, just fresh ingredients and a little anticipation.
Ingredients
- 1 l still water
- fresh herbs (e.g. lemon balm, peppermint, basil, thyme or mint), your choice, organic if possible
- citrus fruits (e.g. lime, lemon, grapefruit or orange), your choice, organic if possible so you can use the peel
- fruit (e.g. apple or pear), your choice, organic if possible
- berries (e.g. raspberries or strawberries), your choice, organic if possible
- fresh ginger, thinly sliced; go easy, as too much can be very sharp
The ingredient amounts above scale with your choice. The value per serving stays the same, while the total in the pot grows with the number of servings.
All nutrition values side by side
| Nutrient | per serving (estimate) | Total for 1 Serving |
|---|---|---|
| Calories | 10 kcal | 10 kcal |
| Carbohydrates | 2 g | 2 g |
| Protein | 0.1 g | 0.1 g |
| Fat | 0.1 g | 0.1 g |
| Fibre | 0.2 g | 0.2 g |
| of which sugar | 1 g | 1 g |
How this is calculated
Target amount = ingredient amount × target servings ÷ base servings. The result is then rounded for kitchen use: from 100 g or ml to the nearest 5, between 1 and 99 to the nearest 1, pieces and spoons to half units, amounts below one unit to quarters, thirds or halves. Teaspoons and tablespoons also go down to an eighth, kilograms and litres stay finer.
Total = value per serving × target servings. The value per serving is unchanged, because ingredient amount and serving count change by the same factor.
Sources
- Regulation (EU) No 1169/2011 (FIC), Art. 32 and 33: nutrition values per 100 g or 100 ml, additionally allowed per portion.
- European Commission, Guidance document for competent authorities for the control of compliance with EU food law, setting of tolerances for nutrient values declared on a label, December 2012.
Nutrition values are estimates from the recipe record, not laboratory results. Even for checked labels the EU sets tolerances: for fat, protein and carbohydrates 20 percent in the range of 10 to 40 g per 100 g, and 2 g per 100 g below that. Home cooking varies more, because variety, size and cooking loss of the ingredients differ. Kitchen rounding also shifts the total slightly against the plain rule of three. Anyone who has to keep amounts exact for medical reasons, for example during a nutrition therapy prescribed by a doctor, should discuss them with a doctor or a registered dietitian. Your serving count is calculated in your browser only, it is neither stored nor transmitted.
Instructions
- Pick your favourite ingredients from the list: fresh herbs, citrus fruits, fruit, berries or fresh ginger. Use organic produce where you can, so you can use the peel too.
- Wash everything thoroughly under running water. Cut the fruit, citrus and ginger into thin slices.
- Fill a clean glass jug with still water and add your chosen ingredients.
- Let the water infuse for a few minutes. Even after a short time it takes on a light flavour, for example from apple or lemon slices.
- For cold ginger water: Cut fresh ginger into thin slices, drop them into cold water and add a splash of lemon juice if you like. Leave to infuse briefly, then enjoy.
- For warm ginger water: Pour hot water over the ginger slices and don't let it steep too long, or it can turn too sharp. Add a lemon slice or some fresh mint if you like. It also tastes lovely once it has cooled down.
- Summer tip: flavoured ice cubes. Fill an ice cube tray with water and pop one ingredient into each compartment, for example a strawberry. Freeze overnight. The next day you'll have fragrant ice cubes to refresh any drink.
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Nutrition facts per serving (estimate)
| Calories | 10 kcal |
|---|---|
| Carbohydrates | 2 g |
| Protein | 0.1 g |
| Fat | 0.1 g |
| Fibre | 0.2 g |
| of which sugar | 1 g |
Frequently asked questions
How long does infused water take to develop flavour?
After just a few minutes the water takes on a light flavour. For a more intense taste, leave it to infuse longer, for example overnight in the fridge.
Do I need to use organic ingredients for flavoured water?
Organic ingredients are recommended so you can use the peel and herbs with confidence, without introducing pesticide residues into your water.
How do I make flavoured ice cubes?
Fill an ice cube tray with water, add one ingredient of your choice to each compartment, such as a strawberry, and freeze overnight.
Can I drink ginger water cold?
Yes. Just add thin ginger slices to cold water, mix in a little lemon juice if you like and leave to infuse. Warm ginger water also tastes great once it has cooled.
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