You have probably heard that drinking soda on a regular basis is not good for you. Maybe you’ve even tried giving it up but couldn’t find a worthy alternative for the sweet, glorious fizziness of Diet Coke or Red Bull. Well, how about a glass of fresh fruit-infused water? Still think that fruits and veggies aren’t cool? Then it’s time to dust off your trusty blender, add some ice, take a sip and see the light.
We found 13 great recipes for chilly, easy-to-make vitamin drinks.
Strawberry, Lime, Cucumber and Mint
Ingredients:
1 cup sliced strawberries
1 cup sliced cucumbers
2 limes, sliced
1/4 cup fresh mint leaves
still or sparkling water, cold
ice cubes
Instructions:
In a half-gallon jar or a two-quart pitcher, mix the strawberries, cucumbers and lime slices with the ice cubes. Chop the mint leaves and add to the mix. Fill jar or pitcher with water. Let chill for at least 10 minutes.
Strawberry, Lemon, and Basil
Ingredients:
4-6 strawberries, hulled and quartered
1/2 lemon, sliced
small handful of basil, scrunched
cold filtered water
ice
Instructions:
Fill your jar or juice pitcher to the top with ice and fruit. Slightly scrunch up the basil so it releases its flavor. Cover with cold filtered water. Let the water infuse at least 1 hour. If there’s no time, poke a few holes in your fruit with a fork for instant flavor.
Orange and Blueberry
Ingredients:
2 oranges, sliced
handful of blueberries
cold filtered water
ice
Instructions:
Combine all ingredients in a jar or a pitcher and put in the fridge for 2 hours or overnight to allow the water to infuse. You can also muddle the blueberries to intensify flavor a bit.
Watermelon and Mint
Ingredients:
2 cups watermelon, sliced
handful of fresh mint leaves
cold filtered water
ice
Instructions:
Add watermelon, mint and ice to a pitcher and fill with water. Allow fruit to soak for 2-8 hours in the fridge. Add more fruit for more flavor and sweetness.
Orange and Cucumber
Ingredients:
2 large oranges, sliced
1 lemon, sliced
1/2 large cucumber, sliced
handful of fresh mint
cold filtered water
ice
Instructions:
Put oranges, lemon and cucumber in the juice pitcher. Using a long spoon, gently mash fruits and veggies to release more flavor. Chop and gently mash the mint, add to the pitcher. Then add water and stir.
Orange and Cilantro
Ingredients:
rosemary / thyme / mint / basil / cilantro / parsley
2 oranges, sliced
cold filtered water
ice
Instructions:
Mix sliced oranges and ice in a juice pitcher. Add chopped cilantro (or other herb of your choosing). Gently mash to release flavor. Fill the pitcher with cold filtered water, and let it cool for at least an hour.
Rosemary and Grapefruit
Ingredients:
1/2 grapefruit, sliced
several sprigs of rosemary
cold filtered water
ice
Instructions:
Add sliced grapefruit and ice to the pitcher, then mix in rosemary. Fill the pitcher with cold water and leave it in the fridge overnight.
Raspberry, Rose Petal, and Vanilla
Ingredients:
1 cup raspberries
vanilla bean
rose petals
cold filtered water
ice
Instructions:
Mix all the ingredients in a juice pitcher, muddle gently. Pour in some cold water. Let steep for about 24 hours in the fridge.
Blueberry and Lavender
Ingredients:
1.5 cup blueberries
lavender flowers (or any edible flowers) to taste
cold filtered water
ice
Instructions:
Add fruits and flowers to a pitcher, pour in water. You can gently muddle the berries to infuse flavor. Chill in the fridge for at least 30 minutes. Serve with ice.
Kiwi and Cucumber
Ingredients:
6 kiwis, peeled
1 large cucumber, peeled and seeded
sugar to taste
cold filtered water
ice
Instructions:
Place the kiwi, cucumber, sugar and 2 cups of water in a blender and purée until smooth. Transfer the mix to a juice pitcher and stir in the remaining 4 cups of water. Add ice. Decorate with kiwi slices.
Honeydew, Lime, and Raspberry
Ingredients:
1 ripe honeydew melon
1/2 cup sugar
5 limes
1 cup raspberries
cold filtered water
ice
Instructions:
Cut the melon in half, remove seeds with a spoon, then cut flesh from peel and cut into chunks. Place it in a blender and process until liquefied. Use a fine mesh sieve to squeeze the juice out of the resulting purée. Repeat with remaining melon. Transfer melon juice to a pitcher and add four cups of water. Combine lime juice and sugar in a separate bowl, then stir until sugar is dissolved. Pour the lime-sugar mix into the pitcher and stir. Serve over ice garnished with raspberries.
Watermelon and Coconut
Ingredients:
1 (about 5 cups) seedless watermelon, cubed
4 cups coconut water
2 tablespoons lime juice, freshly squeezed
cold filtered water
ice
Instructions:
Purée the watermelon in a blender. Use a fine-mesh sieve to discard pulp, then pour the juice into a pitcher. Stir in coconut water and lime juice. Chill, covered, for at least an hour. Serve over ice.
Mango and Lime
Ingredients:
2 cups mango, sliced
2 tablespoons lime juice, freshly squeezed
4 tablespoons sugar
cold filtered water
ice
Instructions:
Use a blender to mix sugar, lime juice, mango and water. Add ice.
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