Creative infusions

Summer is here and there is a danger lurking for all of us - dehydration. Many people probably are dehydrated most of the summer, but it is especially dangerous on those super hot days when you don't even have to move around outside to start sweating. If you are outside and you notice you are thirsty, you are probably already dehydrated. The best thing to drink for dehydration is water but let's face it - water is kind of boring. Thankfully there is a simple way to combat plain boring water if you plan ahead a little bit.

Mint-infused water

Infused water is a simple yet effective method of adding flavor to water without adding a lot of calories - if at all. All it takes is a little planning and some simple ingredients. Ultimately the limit to flavor is your imagination, but there are some things that work better than others. Using fresh ingredients is best, whether they be a fruit, a herb, or a vegetable. I also find that a combination of flavors produces the best results, and I find that the best ones are combinations of produce and herb. Some of my favorite pairings are blueberry-ginger, cucumber-mint, strawberry-basil, and blueberry-mint. Mint and basil work pretty well just on their own - the oils in the plant infuse into the water quite easily, and produce what basically amounts to a tea with no heat and minimal effort.

To infuse water, the method is simple. Just take the vessel of water, add the ingredients to be infused, and let the water sit in the fridge overnight. It really is just that simple. Some ingredients - like mint - can add a lot of flavor in a short time, so you may want to infuse the water and then strain it so that the flavor remains mild. If you are using a fruit or vegetable, make sure you cut it up to expose the flesh of the produce. If you are using a small fruit like blueberry you will want to mash them slightly to expose the flesh of the fruit. If you are using fresh herbs, make sure to mash them slightly, crush them, or tear them to start the infusion. 

Blueberry-ginger infused water

Aside from allowing you to be creative, this is a great way to make sure you and your family drink enough water. There is no size limit to your container, so you can infuse amounts of water starting as small as one glass to one gallon jugs to a whole multi-gallon serving vessel. Restaurants understand this principle - often times they will give you a glass of water with a lemon wedge in it! 

What do you infuse your water with? Let me know in the comments below or on Facebook!