Lemon Water is a refreshing drink for the next time you’re feeling fatigued or overheated or just trying to get hydrated. Made with only two ingredients there’s no better beverage during the dog days of summer, or anytime you want a light, healthy drink.
Drinking lemon water or cucumber water is argued to have many health benefits, from acting as a detox water to assisting in rehydration. Lemons contain potassium, an essential mineral and electrolyte that is important to replenish when you’ve been sweating.
How Many Lemons?
The number of lemons you use depends on how intense you like your water. Plan on at least one per pitcher of water if you want just a hint of flavor, or use several for more zing.
You can continue to replenish water to the same pitcher for up to three days. Add more lemons as it begins to lose it’s flavor or change them out completely as the lemons start breaking down and sinking to the bottom.
How to Make Lemon Water
What’s indisputably true is that sugar free beverages are always going to be the healthier alternative to sugary soft drinks. There’s also the likelihood that you’ll stay more hydrated and detoxed if you keep plenty of lemon water around. Some people swear by the benefits of starting every day with a glass of warm water mixed with a small amount of fresh lemon juice.
You can’t get any simpler than this easy lemon water recipe:
- Thinly slice a lemon or two, removing the seeds.
- Float them in a pitcher of plain water packed with ice cubes to hold the lemons submerged.
- Store in refrigerator for a minimum of two hours, to allow the lemon to infuse throughout the water before drinking.
You can also make lemon water by squeezing a fresh lemon and adding it to the water, either in addition to, or instead of, the slices.
Other fun and delicious variations include adding making cucumber lemon water. Or, try combining the sliced lemons with sliced oranges and limes for a festive beverage with a lot of citrusy punch.
Will Lemons Get Bitter?
Lemon rinds are intrinsically bitter. You won’t notice that at first, but if you do keep the lemons around for more than a day, you’ll notice your lemon water taking on more bitterness.
You can easily avoid that issue by simply juicing a fresh lemon and adding it to the water. Removing a couple of strips of just the skin with a vegetable peeler, discard the white pithy part of the rind. It’s not quite as pretty as lemon slices peel and all, but the taste will hold up longer.
Lemon Water
Ingredients
- 1 lemon thinly sliced
- ice
- 2 quarts water
Optional Additions (choose 1)
- 2 thin orange slices
- 2 mint sprigs
- 1 teaspoon honey
Instructions
- Place lemon slices in a 3-4 QT container.
- Add a few cups of ice and top with water. Refrigerate at least 1 hour before serving.
- Will last 2 days in the fridge, you can continue to top with water as you consume it.
Nutrition Information
Nutrition information provided is an estimate and will vary based on cooking methods and brands of ingredients used.
Course Beverage
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