Updated Jul 22, 2021

8 Delicious and Refreshing Infused Water Recipes for When Plain H2O Just Won’t Cut It

Check out these eight infused water recipes incorporating fruits, vegetables, and herbs. Drinking enough water has never tasted so good.

8 Delicious and Refreshing Infused Water Recipes for When Plain H2O Just Won’t Cut It

Check out these eight infused water recipes incorporating fruits, vegetables, and herbs. Drinking enough water has never tasted so good.

Updated Jul 22, 2021

Written by

Emily Laurence

Photo: Getty Images/Westend61

Updated Jul 22, 2021

Written by

Emily Laurence

The first rule of wellness: Hydration, hydration, hydration. Basically every health professional encourages downing a glass of water first thing in the a.m. (maybe with an added slice of lemon), dietitians preach about its importance in aiding digestion, and beauty experts swear it’s the key to having dewy, glow-y skin.

But here’s the thing: not everyone loves the taste of plain water, making drinking enough a bit of a struggle. And it probably means you’re more likely to reach for juice or soda rather than H20, meaning your hydration habit comes with a side of sugar or artificial sweeteners.

Pro tip for those who find regular water entirely meh: Try infusing your water with fruit, veggies, herbs, and/or spices to add flavor without any added sugar. Infused water recipes check every box—they’re delicious, hydrating, and naturally subtly sweet. They also take zero time to prepare. Ready to learn more? Read on.

Benefits of infused water

Drinking water is the most basic and effective method for staying hydrated. If infusing your water means you’re more likely to stay hydrated, all systems of your body will benefit.
Infused water supports healthy digestion. This is because hydration is key to maintaining a healthy digestive system.
Infused water is good for your skin, as staying hydrated is indisputably one of the best things you can do for your complexion.
Certain types of infused water—particularly lemon water—may help treat kidney stones. “The citric acid in lemons can help break up and prevent certain types of kidney stones,” Erica Matluck, ND, NP previously told Well+Good. Indeed, researchers have found that drinking four ounces of lemon juice (or orange juice, or melon juice) in tap water increases citrate levels in the urine. This, in turn, can help ward off kidney stones.

Here, 8 infused water recipes to try:

1. Strawberry-orange mint infused water

This combo of citrus and mint from Simple Vegan Blog creators Alberto Aragon and Iosune Robles is basically the definition of refreshing. Since winter isn’t exactly peak strawberry season, buy a bag of frozen ones, slice, and add a few after they de-thaw.

2. Strawberry rosewater chia fresca

The First Mess creator Laura Right loves a good chia-infused water—but she adds a floral twist with one teaspoon of rosewater. The mix of fruit and floral gives it the perfect amount of natural sweetness.

3. Pomegranate mint infused water

Give your glass a holiday twist with just two ingredients: pomegranate and mint. Not only are you getting a nice boost of antioxidants and vitamin C, but the mint also helps with digestion, making this infusion a good one to sip on after you eat. (And if you’re wondering how the heck you cut a pomegranate, here’s how.)

4. Veggie water

Of course fruit isn’t your only infusion option; adding veggies can be just as refreshing. Oh So Delicioso blogger Desarae Fowler likes making a big water dispenser, adding in celery, cucumber, parsley, lime, and mint, and refilling her glass all day. Talk about spa water vibes!

5. Rosemary citrus water

Sure, adding a few sprigs of rosemary to things like pizza and roast chicken is normal, but trust: it taste great in water, too. Delightful E Made blogger Erin Indahl-Fink balances out the flavor with a few slices of lemon, adding a layer of brightness to the taste.

6. Cucumber mint water

Cucumber mint is the little black dress of water infusions—a classic. It has only two ingredients (besides, you know, the water and optional lime), but it elevates the taste so much that you’ll likely drink more than you would otherwise. Pretty great hydration hack, right?

7. Lavender mint water

Notice a theme here? Mint pairs well with virtually anything—and that includes lavender. This is a great infusion to sip on when you want to experience a bit of calm, like if you’re stressed out at work or there’s a lot going on at home. Sip, swallow, and breathe.

8. Lemon orange cherry bergamot mint water

This infusion is both calming *and* energizing due to the mix of bright citrus and grounding cherries, which is linked to promoting sleep and relaxation. And it also has—you guessed it—mint.

Can you eat the fruit after infusing water?

As long as it’s fresh (or frozen), you sure can. There is nothing wrong with eating the fruit from your infused water, however you may notice that it tastes slightly less sweet and/or flavorful. This is because some of the flavor of the fruit likely leached into your water—hence the term infusion.

How long you can keep infused water in the fridge

If your infused water uses any fresh fruit or veggies, overnight is probably the longest you should let it sit before drinking. Any more time could result in overly soggy strawberries, melon balls, or cucumber slices. Infusions make solely with tender herbs like basil or mint will last a couple of days at max, and heartier herb infusions (think rosemary or oregano) could last as long as a week.

Speaking of hydration, find out if the temperature of your water can affect your digestion. And a water sommelier—yep, you read that right—shares her inside knowledge.

Article originally published on December 14, 2018 with additional reporting by Betty Gold.

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Food Nutrition

Published Feb 21, 2025

Why Are People Suddenly Eating Handfuls of Spinach Straight From the Fridge?

TL;DR: You don’t have to eat raw spinach out of the container like a raccoon to get the nutritional benefits.

Why Are People Suddenly Eating Handfuls of Spinach Straight From the Fridge?

TL;DR: You don’t have to eat raw spinach out of the container like a raccoon to get the nutritional benefits.

Published Feb 21, 2025

Written by

Emily Ziemski

Photo: Getty

Published Feb 21, 2025

Written by

Emily Ziemski

TikTok is full of microtrends, especially when it comes to food. Eating a whole cucumber, making protein Diet Coke; remember the baked feta pasta? The list is endless and frankly, can be a bit silly. The latest: Creators shoving a whole handful of spinach into their mouths, citing a “max nutritional benefit boost” by doing so.

Searching for videos about eating a handful of spinach yields hundreds of people looking vaguely uncomfortable while trying to chew and swallow, well, a whole handful of raw, unseasoned spinach. Of course, I have questions. Is this the cinnamon challenge but with vegetables? Do you hate joy? And, the most important, is this *actually* the best way to get nutritional benefits from spinach?

What is this trend, exactly?

Cropping up in feeds in early February, the TikTok videos hinge on two key factors: The spinach has to be raw, and you have to eat it first thing in the morning. One handful seems to do the trick for most, and it appears that nothing else is consumed alongside the spinach. Just a whole bunch of raw spinach. That’s it. That’s the tweet.

Surely, it would be easier to incorporate it into the smoothie you’re already planning to have, or the omelet you just made, but here we are.

Why are people doing this?

According to these videos, besides kicking off your day with multiple vitamins, iron, and potassium, some claim it can also “curb carb and sugar cravings” while others assert that doing this every morning helps “train your tastebuds for the day.”

For me, this feels like it’s veering into the 90s and early aughts culture of “no pain no gain,” a mindset that had us doing things like scrubbing our faces with apricot shells every night, and only eating cabbage soup for every meal.

Not to say those things aren’t great in moderation (gentle exfoliation is wonderful for the skin, and cabbage is a great, nutritionally dense vegetable), but banking your health on one, singular thing isn’t a great road to success. “I think that spinach is obviously a very nutritious food, but it doesn’t contain the full spectrum of vitamins and minerals that one needs daily,” says Christina Manian, RDN, a sustainable food systems professional. “In terms of claims that doing this first thing in the morning hacks your body’s cravings for the rest of the day, I’m not sure whether that’s true.”

So, what’s the actual science behind this trend?

Realistically, there’s just not a lot of science that backs up these claims of tastebud training and curbed hunger. Research done by the University of Buffalo on bitter foods showed that when feeding bitter foods (like leafy greens) to rats, a protein-based salivary compound that was activated when eating something bitter could be trained to increase over time.

Basically, the press release stated that when that protein was activated, “the bitter tastes like water.” So, the rats could eat more of the bitter foods without minding the taste. It is important to note that studies done in mice and rats don’t translate well to human consequences, as our physiological differences, like hormonal makeup and immune systems, vary too much from these lab mice/rat studies to be able to draw any definite conclusions. In fact, human-based studies show that denying food cravings can actually lead to increased appetites, and even bingeing behaviors.

However, it’s not all bad news. There is a lot of info that shows food sequencing—starting each meal by eating vegetables, then protein, then everything else—*does* indeed help with hunger cues, satiety, and better blood sugar control. “I often enjoy spinach in the morning (usually cooked with tofu or eggs and whole grain toast) but don’t feel called to eat it raw as the very first thing I put into my body,” says Manian.

Should you do this trend?

There’s truly no harm (except maybe a minor choking hazard?) in trying this trend. “Considering how most Americans aren't eating enough veggies, I'll count this as a win,” says Lauren Manaker, RDN, a women’s nutrition expert and consultant. “They are still getting fiber and plant compounds when they eat it by the handful.”

If you’re like me, and seeing a new internet trend makes you feel like the oldest, crankiest person on planet earth, take solace in knowing that dietitians believe adding spinach to any part of your daily meal plan is a total win. “Overall, eating raw spinach is an excellent practice, as is eating cooked spinach,” says Manian. “I think if [people] are doing this any time of the day, that’s fantastic, and if they feel inclined to eat spinach in the morning, then that's also wonderful.”

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Food

Published Feb 20, 2025

The Making of an Internet-Famous Fruit: How Sumo Citrus Has Captured Hearts, Tastebuds, and a Devoted Following

Published Feb 20, 2025

In Partnership With

Sumo Citrus

Written by

Maeve McCormick

Photo: Sumo Citrus® & W+G Creative

Published Feb 20, 2025

In Partnership With

Sumo Citrus

Written by

Maeve McCormick

Confession time: I love citrus—zesty limes squeezed on my tacos, fresh-squeezed orange juice on slow Sunday mornings, and the invigorating scent of grapefruit candles when I need to unwind. But when it comes to eating whole citrus fruits? Historically, not my thing. The mess of peeling, the sticky fingers, the rogue juice dribbling down my wrists—for me, most citrus has never been worth the (literal) squeeze.

Then, one day, my roommate came home from the store with an oversized citrus I didn’t recognize. She told me I had to try a piece, while effortlessly peeling it in one smooth motion—no mess, no struggle. I skeptically accepted a slice, wondering what the big deal was.

To my surprise, the experience was completely sticky-fingers-free. And the taste? Unlike any citrus I’d had before—enormously sweet, impossibly juicy, and balanced with just a hint of tang. That was my first bite of Sumo Citrus^®—and now, I understand why The Office actress Jenna Fischer planted a Sumo Citrus tree in her yard, John Mayer peeled it on TikTok, and it has its very own merch (kind of eyeing that beanie, TBH).

So, what’s earned Sumo Citrus this devoted following? Sumo is taking the sweetness on the road for you to experience it yourself with the Tastemonial Tour—and it’s making a special stop at House of Good during our Ultimate Citrus Experience pop-up from February 21 to 23. Stop by for the hype if you're in Los Angeles, and read on to find out how this one-of-a-kind fruit became a seasonal fruit fixation.

Find Sumo Citrus Near You

Sumo Citrus wasn’t just plucked from a tree one day and marketed as the next big thing—it’s the result of decades of careful cultivation, according to Sunnia Gull, AC Food’s vice president of marketing. First developed in Japan in the 1970s, it was naturally bred to combine the best traits of different citrus varieties—including the sweetness of mandarins, the juiciness of navel oranges, and the easy-to-peel skin of a satsuma.

Despite its popularity, growing Sumo Citrus is no easy feat. It takes years of expertise to perfect, and California’s Central Valley is the only place in the United States where it’s grown. Even then, farmers face unpredictable weather challenges, which means every piece of fruit that makes it to the store is a result of careful tending and patience.

The first thing you notice about Sumo Citrus is its size—it’s the largest variety of mandarins. The second? Its signature Top Knot^®, a bump on top of the fruit that serves as an easier way to peel it. The skin practically lifts off, revealing plump, seedless segments that don’t leave your hands coated in juice and stubborn pith.

Every Sumo Citrus is guaranteed to be incredibly sweet, thanks to each being measured on the “brix meter,” to ensure it meets sky-high sweetness standards before hitting shelves, Gull says. For those who prefer their fruit without surprise sour bites, it’s a game-changer.

Beyond its chef’s-kiss flavor and finally-I-don’t-need-a-wet-wipe convenience, Sumo Citrus packs a *serious* nutritional punch. Each fruit contains 163 percent of your daily vitamin C, along with fiber, potassium, and a flavonoid called hesperidin, which has antioxidant benefits. Whether you’re looking for immunity support, a gut-friendly snack, or a natural energy source, it fits the bill. Bonus: It’s the kind of snack I can toss in my bag and eat in two minutes flat—way better than the sad granola bar that’s been in my purse for the past three months.

And while Sumo Citrus is made to eat straight out of the peel, fans have gotten creative with how they use it. The fruit’s sweetness and juiciness make it an ideal addition to everything from bright citrus salads to zesty cocktails and refreshing desserts. Its bold flavor also complements savory dishes—think citrus-glazed salmon or a tangy dressing for roasted vegetables.

All of that creativity may be a result of the fact that Sumo Citrus is here for a good time, but not a long time. Unlike standard grocery store oranges that are available year-round, Sumo Citrus has a limited growing season, running only from January to April. This short window has created an almost cult-like following, with fans stocking up as soon as they see the signature purple sticker in stores.

I get it—now that I’ve experienced Sumo, I fully understand the impulse to grab them while they last. The anticipation is almost part of the appeal: Like cherry blossom season or holiday peppermint mochas, Sumo’s fleeting availability makes it even more special. And when the season ends? People (me) are already counting down the days until its return. Conclusion: Do yourself a favor and grab a few before they disappear for the year. Because once you’ve had a taste of this juicy citrus, there’s no going back.

Psst: Want a taste ASAP? The Sumo Tastemonial Tour is rolling into Belmont Park in San Diego from February 28 to March 1, Boreal Ski Resort in Tahoe from March 7 to 8, Craig Ranch Regional Park in Las Vegas from March 10 to 11, and La Encantada in Tuscon from March 14 to 15—or stop by House of Good in Venice Beach for the Ultimate Citrus Experience from February 21 to 23.

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