Enjoy These 10 Detox Water Recipes All Year Long!
Detox water has become a wildly popular diet craze. Many hail it as a miracle diet and think it can support weight loss. Could this be a revolutionary new way to drop pounds and trim the physique, or is it just another fad diet? Let’s start by understanding what detox water is.
What Is Detox Water?
Detox water is basically water infused with fruits, vegetables, and/or herbs. Sometimes called infused water, many people use it as part of a body detox strategy (I recommend distilled water).
Water is crucial to your health. Every part of your body depends on water to thrive.[1] Water is key to many basic physiological functions; water keeps your bloodstream fluid, moisturizes your skin, and even helps eliminate waste.[2] Both the quantity and quality of water a person drinks directly impacts the health of their body.[3]
Unfortunately, I know many people who don’t enjoy drinking water. Some say it’s tasteless and dull. That’s what makes detox water so excellent. It adds flavor to plain water while also infusing in key, beneficial nutrients. If you're looking for a simple health-conscious choice, detox water is a great option.
Some of the Most Popular Ingredients
Some detox waters add nutritional value to water. Others provide a tasty alternative to less healthful drinks such as soda, energy drinks, or coffee. The best do both.
Many popular detox water recipes include citrus fruits like grapefruit, orange, lemon, and lime. These fruits are both tasty and heavy in vitamin C. Many types of detox water also include healthful herbs like mint, basil, rosemary, oregano, and ginger. Other popular ingredients include cucumber, berries, watermelon, apple, cinnamon sprigs, aloe vera, and even apple cider vinegar. I even like adding a dash of Himalayan Salt for additional flavor and a mineral boost.
10 Detox Water Recipes to Try at Home
Each of the following recipes are simple and anyone can make them. You’ll notice that many of these recipes use approximate measurements like “a handful.” Play around and find what’s most tasty to you. Detox water recipes don’t need to be exact. These are just a few that I’ve made while experimenting in my own kitchen. I encourage you to experiment yourself to find what you like!
Every one of these recipes follows the same basic formula; only the add-ins differ.
Start with one gallon of purified water (room temperature is fine). Combine the other ingredients in a glass container, stir gently with a wooden spoon, and refrigerate for 3 to 4 hours to allow all ingredients to mingle. Serve and enjoy!
The ingredients are best when fresh. I recommend drinking your detox water within 24 hours of making it.
1. Cucumber Mint Water
Cucumber water makes for a healthy, mellow drink. Adding a little mint makes this a refreshing delight on even the hottest day.
- Slice a cucumber into roughly 15 to 20 thin slices
- Add 5 to 7 whole fresh mint leaves to cucumber slices
- Add a pinch of Himalayan salt
Pro-Tip: Once you’ve added these ingredients to your water, use your wooden spoon to crush up the mint leaves against the bottom of the container. This releases flavor and makes your water delicious!
2. Watermelon Citrus Water
Watermelon citrus water makes an excellent summertime treat. Perfect for picnics.
- Cube about 1 cup of fresh watermelon
- Squeeze the juice of ½ lemon and ½ orange
- Add 1 lemon wedge
- Add 1 orange wedge
- Add 5 to 8 cucumber slices to mellow the harsh citrus flavor
3. Herbal Oregano Water
Adding savory herbs like rosemary and oregano to a fruity drink may seem weird to some people. But, trust me, if you haven’t tried it, you should. The strong flavors of the herbs compliment the sweetness of fruit like lemon or watermelon.
- 1 ½ to 2 fresh stalks of rosemary (to taste)
- 1 ½ to 2 dried organic oregano leaves (to taste)
- ½ cucumber, sliced thin
- 1 cup cubed watermelon
Pro-Tip: Boil the rosemary and oregano in water before adding to the rest of the mixture. This will help combine their flavors with the other ingredients.
4. Sweet Herbal Cucumber Water
The oranges in this recipe add vitamin C. The dash of Himalayan salt gives it a mineral boost that distilled water alone lacks.
- 1 whole cucumber, sliced thin
- 2 orange wedges
- 2 pinches rosemary
- A dash of Himalayan salt
5. Kicking Lemon Ginger Water
I call this “kicking” because the chili and ginger give it a kick. Definitely recommended if you like a little spice.
- Squeeze fresh juice from 2 whole lemons
- Add a third lemon, cut into wedges
- Mince about 1-inch fresh ginger root (peeled)
- Add 1 tablespoon of fresh ground red chili powder (to taste)
6. Strawberry Basil Water
Strawberries are high in antioxidants, potassium, vitamin C, and many other nutrients. They make for a delicious berry beverage.
- 10 fresh, whole strawberries
- 2 lemon wedges
- Fresh squeezed juice from ½ lemon
- Handful of fresh basil leaves
7. Cool Ginger Mint Water
Ginger has been used for thousands of years to help a variety of ailments. Some of ginger's health benefits include helping to ease an upset stomach and soothing a sore throat. But, you don’t have to wait until you get sick, this drink is tasty anytime.
- 1 cucumber sliced thin
- 2 inches fresh, peeled ginger root
- 2 Lemon/lime wedges
- 10 to 12 fresh mint leaves
- Pinch of Himalayan salt
- Bonus: Add a dash of food-grade peppermint essential oil
8. Citrus Aloe Water
This infusion combines the great taste of citrus with the extraordinary healing power of aloe vera. I highly recommend it.
- 2 whole oranges, quartered
- Fresh juice squeezed from ½ lemon
- ¼ cup fresh inner leaf aloe vera gel
- Add mint leaves to taste
9. Strawberry Grapefruit Water
Vitamin C is one of the best possible detox vitamins. Found in both strawberries and grapefruit, this water recipe provides a double-blast of it.
- 1 whole cucumber sliced thin
- 2 whole grapefruits (quartered)
- 2 cups fresh strawberries
- Add mint leaves to taste
10. Tangy Cucumber Lemon Water
You may notice that this recipe has lemon twice. That’s no mistake. Lemon water is great for a natural detox and regular detoxification or cleansing is important to your overall wellness. This recipe really lets you double-down on the healthful properties of lemon water.
- 1 ¼ to 1 ½ whole cucumbers, sliced thin
- 2 lemon wedges
- Fresh squeezed juice from ½ lemon
- 1 tablespoon fresh, red chili powder
- Dash of Himalayan salt
Points to Remember
Again, these recipes are just a few suggestions and the possibilities are endless. Everything is up for experimentation, so get a jug of distilled water and experiment! If you're looking for other easy ways to make more health-conscious choices in your daily life, check our Detox Drinks article. There we explore and give recipes for teas, smoothies, and other detox drinks that help you kick-start your body cleansing journey.
These detox water recipes are a great step towards improving wellness. If you're committed to boosting your health in a big way, I recommend the 9-step body cleanse kit, which is a complete approach to detoxifying your body from head to toe. All the while, support your wellness efforts with detox water!
References (3)
- Kleiner SM. Water: an essential but overlooked nutrient. Journal of the American Dietetic Association.1999;99:200–6.
- "Water- a Vital Nutrient." Better Health Channel. Victoria State Government, May 2014. Web. 7 Mar. 2016.
- Popkin, Barry M., Kristen E. D’Anci, and Irwin H. Rosenberg. “Water, Hydration and Health.” Nutrition reviews 68.8 (2010): 439–458. PMC. Web. 7 Mar. 2016.
†Results may vary. Information and statements made are for education purposes and are not intended to replace the advice of your doctor. If you have a severe medical condition or health concern, see your physician.
Dr. Edward Group, DC
FOUNDER | HEALER | ADVOCATEDr. Group, DC is a healer and alternative health advocate, and an industry leader and innovator in the field of natural health who is dedicated to helping others. He is a registered doctor of chiropractic (DC), a naturopathic practitioner (NP), and proud alum of Harvard Business School and MIT Sloan School of Management. Dr. Group, DC is the founder of Global Healing – a mission and vision he has shared through best-selling books and frequent media appearances. He aims to spread his message of positivity, hope, and wellness throughout the world.
