Infused water is the genius wellness hack we all need in our lives

I made a resolution earlier this year to try and drink more water. There are days when I think I am doing OK; usually on the weekends, when sheer proximity to the sink and fridge makes it harder to forget. But then on weekdays, when life is a whirlwind of work and school-runs and dinner and the gym and bedtime stories, I am less inclined to get my eight glasses a day, and often notice towards the end of the day how headeache-y and dehydrated I feel. Which is why I have now tried to take some measures to make sure drinking water becomes an actual habit as opposed to just something I do whenever I remember to. Enter: Infused water. The most delicious, calorie-free and mega-healthy thing you have ever been introduced to. And the best bit? It is so easy to make, you will wonder why you have been drinking your water plain all this time! Oh, and it is the perfect way to use up some of that fruit you keep buying and never really get around to eat before it goes off. Win-win. When it comes to flavour combinations, the possibilities are pretty much endless, but some are obviously more refreshing than others. Here is a handy guide to get you started: What to use: You can infuse water with any number of herbs, spices, fruit and even vegetables! Here are some ideas:

• Herbs: Rosemary, thyme, mint, basil, coriander and parsley
• Spices: Cinnamon sticks, cardamom pods, fresh ginger, cloves, vanilla bean
• Fruit: Berries (fresh or frozen), melon, tropical fruits, citrus, apples, pears
• Vegetables: Cucumber, celery, fennel, carrots
• Water: Filtered water is great, but if you don’t have a filtration system, tap water is fine too.

How to: Large glass bottles or jars with lids are perfect, just make sure they are clean and rinsed well before you start. You can leave the fruits or veggies peeled or unpeeled, that’s up to you. Try to use organic if you can, and avoid any fruit that’s bruised or overly ripe, or herbs that don’t look fresh. Then add the fruit, herbs, spices or whatever you want to use into a bottle of cool water. Or you could add it to the bottle and then fill it up with water. Use thin slices or small cubes because the flavor will infuse more quickly. Let the water sit for a few hours to allow the flavors to infuse. The longer it sits, the more flavorful the water will be. Some fruits or herbs will infuse more quickly than others. Citrus is pretty instant. Herbs take a little longer. Berries take a few hours and will also release color into the water. Keep your infused water in the fridge, and remember that you can refill the water a few times and let it infuse again after you drink the first bottle, but the flavors won’t be as pronounced. Great flavour combinations to try 1. Kiwi and Blackberry 2. Blueberry, Lemon and Mint 3. Orange and Coriander 4. Apple and Cinnamon 5. Strawberry and Basil 6. Fennel and Pear 7. Mango Pineapple and Mint Have YOU got any other flavoured water combinations we ought to try? Let us know in the comments!