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30 Delicious Ways To Hydrate With Herb-Infused Water

Author:

Kami McBride

October 02, 2024

Herbalist

By Kami McBride

Herbalist

Kami McBride is a well-known author and educator whose bestselling book, "The Herbal Kitchen," has helped thousands of people learn how to use common kitchen herbs and spices in delightfully simple, new, and delicious ways. She developed and taught the herbal curriculum for the Complementary Medicine Department at the University of California School of Nursing, and she founded the Living Awareness Institute in 1994 where she offers online herbalism courses to students of all skill levels.

Image by Gabriel Bucataru / Stocksy

October 02, 2024

It can be tricky to drink enough water, especially when we're surrounded by tempting alternatives, from coffee to craft beer and nearly everything in between. However, as we know, the body truly does function at its best when it's well hydrated.

I've been practicing and teaching herbalism for more than 25 years, and I've learned that making "herbal waters" is one of the simplest ways to inspire yourself to drink more H₂O. each day. They only take a few minutes to whip up and can incorporate so many ingredients from your garden, farmers market, or local grocer.

What are herbal waters?

Making herbal water is as easy as adding unique herb/fruit combinations to a pitcher of water. The potential combinations of ingredients are endless, and they include flavors like chamomile and kiwi, lavender and strawberry, and more (see the list below for inspiration!).

With fresh-picked herbs and fruit, the waters take on the flavor of each season, depending on what is ripe. Sometimes I add a few dried spices, like a stick of cinnamon or a few allspice pods, as well.

Herbed water is subtle; you don't need a lot of ingredients. Just a few sprigs of herbs and a couple of slices of fruit will do

Here are some combinations that my garden has presented:

Basil and peppermint
Basil and pomegranate
Calendula and melon
Calendula and rose petal
Chamomile and kiwi
Chamomile and plum
Cucumber and peppermint
Elderflower and lime
Fennel seed and orange peel
Lavender and plum
Lavender, rose geranium, and lime peel
Lavender and strawberry
Lemon balm and cantaloupe/rockmelon
Lemon balm and peach
Lemon geranium and kiwi
Lemon verbena and blueberry
Orange peel and mint
Peaches and clove
Peppermint and apricot
Peppermint and kiwi
Peppermint and lemon
Peppermint and orange
Pine needles and lemon
Rose geranium and rose petal
Rose geranium and watermelon
Rose petal and peppermint
Rose petal and pomegranate
Rose petal and strawberry
Rosemary and peach
Rosemary and persimmon

How to make herbal waters:

Fill a pitcher of your choice with water.
Add 5 sprigs of clean, freshly cut herbs of your choice.
Add ½ cup of thinly sliced fruit of your choice.
Let the ingredients infuse in the water for up to 1 hour before drinking. You do not need to strain the ingredients from the water before you serve. In fact, the longer you let them steep, the better the flavor will become.
Herb waters will keep in the refrigerator for approximately 24 hours.

The takeaway

Whipping up a pitcher of herbal water in the morning to drink throughout the day is a wonderful way to hydrate. The ritual of creating a simple, elegant, and flavorful beverage is calming and grounding in and of itself, plus I love knowing that there's something beautiful in my refrigerator to serve if a guest drops by. Happy sipping!