13 Fresh Ingredients To Enhance Your Everyday Water

There's nothing more refreshing than an ice-cold glass of water, at least for most people. The real reason cold water tastes better than warm water is because the temperature helps to suppress the flavor of impurities. There is, however, a segment of the population that struggles to drink their suggested eight glasses of even cold water per day. Iced coffee and soda count, right? Wrong. Water is not only important to human bodily function, but it's also essential. Staying hydrated helps to regulate body temperature, keep joints lubricated, filter waste, and protect your spinal cord. And water does it best. Without it, you would die, but not everyone loves that crisp and refreshing emptiness of flavor that comes along with water. Luckily, there are plenty of fresh ingredients to enhance your everyday water that is not only delicious but important for your system. Goodbye diet Pepsi and caramel macchiatos, hello hydration.

Water is by far the most beneficial drink for human beings, but that doesn't mean we can't add a little flair in the flavor department. The best way to enhance boring old water is to add natural ingredients to it, like fruit, vegetables, or herbs, which can be incredibly flavorful and refreshing. The nutrients from natural vegetation infuse water with vitamins and minerals, and let's face it, every sip will feel like you're swaddled up in fresh white towels at the spa. Treat yourself with ice-cold, naturally-infused water.

There's a reason that we almost exclusively use mint in toothpaste. It's refreshing, spicy, and strong, and can make your breath smell uber-fresh. However, it's good for more than just oral hygiene. Mint is an important herb used in both sweet and savory culinary creations, especially alongside robust meats and vegetables. It's also a popular addition to cocktails, and non-alcoholic drinks alike. In fact, simply adding mint to your water can give it a major facelift.

First, decide what type of mint you enjoy best. You can base this on the type of gum you typically purchase. Some distinctions are subtle; like between mint and peppermint, what's the difference? Peppermint is more intense because it contains more menthol, and spearmint has a more subtle, sweet flavor. There are two ways you can add mint to your water. The first is by simply massaging the leaves between your fingers before dropping them in water overnight, refrigerated, of course. By morning, the water should be minty fresh. You can also muddle mint leaves into water for faster results. Do this using a mortar and pestle, or by crushing the leaves with a muddler right into your water.

Another classic, along with adding lemon juice to water, is lime juice. And although the two citrus fruits have some similarities, their flavor and applications are typically quite different. In a pickle, they have been known to act as a sufficient substitute for each other, but there are some major differences you should know about. Besides their difference in color, lemons tend to be described as sour, while limes are more bitter. Lemons have a more distinct sweetness to them, while lime sugars are more subtle. Both are acidic, but because of their differences, recipes tend to call for one or the other. When selecting one to enhance your water, it's all up to personal preference.

If you typically use lemon in your water, give lime juice a try. There are different types of limes, like key limes and Persian limes, which all have subtle flavor variations. Persian limes are the most common in the United States and tend to be larger. Key limes are more aromatic and floral, and can sometimes be slightly tarter and more intense as well. This is why they are used for key lime pie which has a strong and distinctive lime flavor. Squeeze a little of either of these types of limes into your water for a fresh, bitter, acidic, and slightly sweet punch of flavor.

For those who enjoy sweet drinks, but are trying to avoid too many refined sugars, consider adding peach slices or fresh peach juice to your water. Stone fruits tend to have a honey-like aroma and flavor, and are often less tart than other types of fruit. Peaches, in particular, are quite floral with a subtle tartness. When selecting ripe peaches look for vibrant colors, and slightly soft flesh when pressed. The riper the peach, the sweeter the flavor.

Once you have selected your bounty and they've become ripe, the absolute best way to keep peaches fresh is to store them in your refrigerator. Reserve the countertop for unripe fruit that still has a little way to go. To infuse water, slice your peaches right over the pitcher. This will ensure you catch any juicy drips, but be careful to protect your fingers. Let the peach slices sit in refrigerated water for a few hours, and enjoy. Alternatively, you can juice fresh peaches and add them to water. Unlike lemons or limes, you can add quite a bit of juice without having to risk it being overpowering.

Many of us in the United States aren't used to using fresh lemongrass in our cooking, let alone in our drinks. You may have tasted it before in a Thai-based coconut soup or curry, or in a light and citrusy tea. If this is your first experience with the woody stick-like plant, then it's essential that you understand what lemongrass is, so you can use it properly. Unlike most herbs, you're not going to want to chomp into this one, as it's quite fibrous. It tastes similar to ginger, with a citrusy flair that almost carries a hint of basil.

To infuse your water with lemongrass, simply remove its outer layers and grate or slice the inner layers. If you plan to grate it, you may want to strain the fibrous plant once the water is served. If you plan on letting the slices of lemongrass float in the water, just be sure not to get a mouthful of them when sipping. Instead, let them steep for an hour or two before removing them, leaving refreshing and uniquely flavored water.

If you're ready to transform your water-drinking experience and bring it to a whole new level then you must try adding ginger root. Yes, you've probably heard of the combination of lemon, ginger, and honey in your hot tea or boiling water. But ginger makes a great addition to ice water as well, and is flavorful enough to fly solo. Consider buying fresh ginger and either juicing it, slicing it, or grating it to get the most flavor you can from the oddly shaped root. The simplest way to add fresh ginger to a drink is by grating it right in.

Ginger skin is edible, but it's a good idea to peel it before taking it to the grater. Use a fine cheese grater, like one for Parmesan cheese, or a zester to break the root down into as small of pieces as you can to release the juices. Ginger can help to relieve nausea and is fantastic for your digestive system. There's a reason that ginger ale is suggested for those with stomach upset, this is just a much healthier way to get ginger into your system than with soda. Ginger is intense and spicy, so start by just adding a few splashes to your water before including a full tablespoon.

For those that enjoy a nice botanical flavor in their cocktails, give rosemary-infused ice water a try. Not only is the herb extremely aromatic, but it's also quite beautiful and can add a sophisticated aesthetic appeal. In fact, when a sprig of rosemary is added to a cocktail, much of the time it's done so that the drinker will smell the herb as they sip their drink, adding to the overall experience. The addition of rosemary to cocktails boosts the herbaceous flavors and aromatics, and the same goes for water.

Simply place one sprig of fresh rosemary in your ice water glass and let your senses do the rest. It has a sage-like flavor, with a slightly citrusy mint undertone. If you're looking for an herby-fruity combination, add a slice of pear or apple to your rosemary water. And it's not all about the flavor and aesthetic, as rosemary can also improve memory, help with muscle spasms, and work wonders for your circulatory and nervous systems. If a sprig of rosemary is too intense for you, make rosemary syrup by boiling the herb in water with sugar or honey, let it cool, and add that to your ice water.