Infusing water with the beneficial essence of fruits, herbs, and other botanicals helps you hydrate sufficiently without the downside of excess calories, sugars, and artificial flavorings.
Best Practices
Choose always organic ingredients.
Wash all ingredients thoroughly to make sure that they are free of pesticides, and other residues.
Use properly filtered (reverse osmosis), structured and chilled water.
Note that warm or hot water makes the ingredients fall apart and compromises the nutrients you're trying to consume.
Use preferably glass pitchers or glass mason jars for home use.
If you want to take your infused water along with you, you might want to use an old school glass bottle with ceramic closure. Aldi sells French lemonade in old school glass bottle with ceramic closure.
Tips for Preparation
Chop the fruits and vegetables in small cubes to increase the exposed surface for high level flavor release.
Softer fruits like citrus and strawberries can be sliced thick, thin, halved, or quartered.
Harder fruits like apples should be sliced very thinly because they take longer to release flavors.
Crush fibrous ginger root, rosemary, and lemongrass with a wooden spoon
Tear leafy herbs like mint, basil, and cilantro to properly release their oils.
Loose herbs and flowers - lavender, rose petals, dried hibiscus - can be corralled in a tea infuser or cheesecloth.
Soak Time and Temperature
Place infused water with cucumbers, citrus fruits, melons, and mint flavor water almost immediately.
Infuse water with other ingredients (herns and spices) at room temperature for no more than an hour.
Keep the infused water in the fridge to prevent bacterial growth.
Apples, cinnamon, fresh ginger root, and rosemary need an overnight soak in the fridge.
Melons and sliced strawberries start looking waterlogged after a few hours;
Citrus, and whole berries look pretty good even after hours in the fridge. After 4 hours, citrus rinds can make water taste bitter.
To make a big jug of infused water for a party, soak citrus for up to 4 hours, remove it, and add fresh slices for looks. (And keep that water icy cold for food safety.)
If you don't drink the water within 24 hours, strain out the solids and refrigerate for up to 3 days.
To keep sipping all day long, refill your infused water container when it's half full. It will be weaker than your first drink, but still flavorful.
Stay hydrated friends.