Infused Water Recipes with The Canning Diva

Summer heat got you reaching for a second glass? Let’s make it something worth sipping! Infused water is a flavorful, refreshing, and healthy way to stay hydrated—without added sugars or artificial ingredients. And if you’re like me and hate wasting produce scraps, this is your new favorite way to use every last slice.

Whether you’re gardening, canning, or simply lounging under the sun, these infused water combos will elevate your hydration game and help you cool down naturally. Plus, they’re a fantastic way to repurpose fruit peels, herb stems, or that last bruised berry in the pint.

Why Infused Water?

✔️ Zero added sugar
✔️ Nutrient boost from fresh produce
✔️ Elegant and effortless
✔️ Great way to use leftover scraps from food preservation

Infused water is beautiful to serve at gatherings and a smart way to make hydration feel like self-care. Store it in mason jars, pitchers, or even repurposed canning jars for a rustic and functional presentation.

Best Practices for Flavorful Infusions

• Use cold or room temperature filtered water. Avoid warm or hot water—it breaks down the fruit too quickly and can turn bitter.
• Slice ingredients thinly. More surface area means more flavor.
• Steep for at least 1–2 hours. Refrigerate and let those flavors marry. For stronger flavor, infuse overnight.
• Drink within 2–3 days. You can refill once with fresh water, but after that, compost the solids.

 

My Favorite Infused Water Combos

Here are my go-to infused water blends using homegrown herbs, citrus peels, and leftover fruit from canning and dehydrating sessions:

🍓 Strawberry Basil (or Mint)

• 3–4 fresh strawberries, sliced
• 3–4 basil leaves or 5–6 mint leaves, gently bruised
• Optional: a splash of strawberry shrub or syrup from your canned stash

Pairs well with: porch swings and summer sunsets.

🍋 Lemon Cucumber Detox

• 3–4 cucumber slices
• 2–3 lemon wedges or a spiral of lemon peel
• A few sprigs of fresh parsley or mint

Hydrating and naturally alkaline. Great for post-canning cool downs!

 

🍊 Citrus Sunrise

• Orange slices
• Grapefruit segments
• A few pomegranate arils (optional)
• Sprig of rosemary or thyme

Zingy and energizing—the perfect pick-me-up on hot days.

 

🍍 Pineapple Ginger Mint

• Fresh or canned pineapple chunks
• A few thin slices of fresh ginger
• 2–3 mint leaves

A subtly sweet combo with anti-inflammatory perks.

 

🫐 Blueberry Lavender

• Handful of fresh or frozen blueberries
• 2–3 lavender buds or a tiny pinch of dried petals
• Optional: a dash of honey

A gentle, calming blend—perfect for winding down.

 

🍓 Berries-n-Lime

• Fresh strawberries, sliced
• Handful of blueberries
• 2–3 slices of lime
• A sprig of fresh mint

Mix the berries right into your glass, top with cold water, and garnish with mint. Light, fresh, and bursting with natural sweetness. Perfect for individual servings or last-minute guests on the patio.

 

🍋 Blackberry Italiano

• ½ pint fresh blackberries
• 1 lemon, thinly sliced
• 1 sprig of rosemary

Add ingredients to a drink infuser or pitcher and fill with 2 quarts of cold water. Steep in the refrigerator for 2–4 hours. Serve over ice with a lemon wheel or rosemary sprig for garnish. This one’s got spa-day vibes!

 

🍉 Citrus Watermelon Splash

• 3 slices of fresh grapefruit
• Half a medium watermelon, cubed
• 2 lemons, sliced
• ½ tsp agave sweetener (optional)

Add everything to a 3-gallon beverage dispenser and fill with water. Stir in the agave, then add ice to chill while the fruit infuses. Serve with a citrus slice on each glass. Bonus: dip glass rims in raw sugar for a fun twist!

Pro Tip:

Preserve seasonal flavor year-round by freezing infused water into ice cubes! Add to regular water or cocktails later for an elegant twist. Try frozen slices of citrus, herbs, or edible flowers in each cube. Serve your infused waters in a clear glass pitcher or line up a trio of mason jars on a tray for guests to choose from. Garnish each glass with a sprig of mint, a slice of fruit, or even a frozen fruit skewer. 

Infused water is a celebration of what you’ve grown, preserved, and lovingly harvested. It’s your pantry, your garden, and your creativity—poured over ice.

Let your jars work double-duty this summer and make hydration a part of your preserving lifestyle. Cheers to health, flavor, and living well—one sip at a time.

~ Diane Devereaux, The Canning Diva®