Hydrate. Hydrate. Hydrate. This mantra gets you through the gruelling summer months like none other. Good ol’ plain water quenches thirst. Add some fruits and herbs to it for a detoxifying twist and power yourself through the heat. Detox water can be made in a jiffy, is all-natural, and tastes better than the preservative-laden refreshments you could buy off the shelves. The added taste also helps guzzle down a few more glasses, keeping hydration levels at an all-time high. Bid goodbye to thirsty spells, dehydration-related ailments, and stay fit this summer with our suggested detox water recipes.
Cucumber Mint and Lime Cooler
Image: Adam Yip for The Daily Telegraph
Delicious and über-hydrating mint, cucumber, and lime water exclusively requires the most commonly found ingredients in the pantry. The mint refreshes, while the lime gives a kick with the goodness of vitamin C, aids digestion, and promotes hydration. Cucumber, besides carrying multiple B vitamins, is an all-time favourite summer coolant.
Prep Time: 10 minutes + refrigeration time
Caters To: 1 person
Challenge Level: Beginner
From The Pantry:
- 1 litre water
- Mint leaves (handful)
- Cucumber shavings (from 1 cucumber)
- Lime slices (from 1 lime)
- Bottle or jug to prepare
Mix Away:
- Mix all the ingredients in a jar or a bottle.
- Chill in the refrigerator for at least an hour before sipping.
Litchi Refresher
When the short-lived season of litchi arrives, it is imminent that we grab this delicious fruit and eat it by the kilo. Litchis with their floral fragrance and super juicy flesh make summer months pleasantly tolerable. The perfumed water, besides being a thirst quencher carries the added benefits of such minerals as magnesium, copper, and iron and Vitamin C.
Prep Time: 10 minutes + refrigeration time
Caters To: 1 person
Challenge Level: Beginner
From The Pantry:
- 1 litre water
- 8 pieces Litchi fruit (peeled)
- 1 teaspoon rosewater
Mix Away:
- Mix all the ingredients in a jar or a bottle.
- Chill in the refrigerator for at least an hour before sipping, or top with ice cubes.
Orange & Kaffir Lime Zingy Water
Image: nomadwithcookies.com
Orange and kaffir lime leaves are a match made in heaven. When they come together in a bottle of detox water they make a fortifying drink that pleases the taste buds. The citrus burst of oranges packs in Vitamin C, while the immensely fragrant kaffir lime leaves add their stress-relieving, antibiotic, and anti-inflammatory properties.
Prep Time: 5 minutes + refrigeration time
Caters To: 1 person
Challenge Level: Beginner
From The Pantry:
- 1 litre water
- 2 oranges
- 1 hand-torn kaffir lime leaf
Mix Away:
- Mix all the ingredients in a jar or a bottle.
- Chill in the refrigerator for at least an hour before serving.
Watermelon Mint Lime & Ginger Cooler
Image: healthyrecipeecstasy.com
Watermelon, the favourite summer fruit hydrates the body like none other. While you munch on the fruit as a snack or pack it in your lunchbox, trying this amazing detox water will leave you asking for more. Watermelon counters oxidative stress, mint and lime refresh, and the anti-inflammatory ginger adds a zing in addition to aiding weight loss.
Prep Time: 15 minutes + refrigeration time
Caters To: 1 person
Challenge Level: Beginner
From The Pantry:
- 6 deseeded Watermelon cubes (cut into triangles)
- A handful of mint leaves
- ½ inch ginger knob
- Juice of one lime
Mix Away:
- Mix all the ingredients in a jar or a bottle.
- Chill in the refrigerator for at least an hour before sipping.
Go ahead, make your summer cooler!
