Drinking Lemon Water (and warm lemon water, sparkling lemon water and lemon lime water) is made with  fresh squeezed lemon juice and it makes a healthy alternative to sodas, sports drinks, coffee and sweetened teas. And there are so many benefits of lemon water making it worth adding to your daily wellness plan.Glasses of water with lemon.

This Lemon Water recipe is refreshing, hydrating and so easy to make.

Glass pitcher with water and fruit

How to Make Lemon Water

This refreshing drink is easy to make, whether you making an individual serving or a pitcher to have chilling in your refrigerator to keep you hydrated throughout the day.

To make a single glass:

Juice of 1/2 to 1 whole small lemon per 8-ounce glass of water

  • Cut lemons in half
  • Pour yourself an 8-ounce glass of purified water
  • Squeeze the juice of 1/2 lemon in your glass of water

To make a pitcher:

1 lemon per 8-10 cups of water

  • Rinse outside of lemons well
  • Slice lemons fairly thin
  • Add lemon slices to the bottom of a large pitcher
  • Fill the pitcher with water (I personally use either SmartWater or spring water)
  • Steep for up to 1 hour; 2-3 hours best; overnight for a stronger fruit flavored water

Note:  The fruit tends to get swollen and soggy, so I typically make only one pitcher at a time (8-10 cups to last a day)

glass filled with sliced fruit

Lemon Lime Water

  • Lemon and lime water is also a refreshing and healthy drink that’s rich with antioxidants, anti-inflammatory and  immune-boosting properties.
  • Just squeeze both lemon and lime juice in an 8 ounce glass of water, adding more or less per your desired taste.  For infused water, just add slices of both lemon and lime to a pitcher of water and refrigerate.

glass jars filled with sliced citrus fruit

Cucumber Lemon Water

  • Cucumber and Lemon Water is also a refreshing and hydrating drink to make.
  • Just squeeze  lemon juice in an 8 ounce glass of water, adding more or less per your desired taste, then add a couple of thin slices of cucumber to your glass.  For infused water, just add slices of both lemon and cucumber to a pitcher of water and refrigerate.

glass filled with sliced citrus fruit

Sparkling Lemon Water

  • Sparkling water has all the bubbles of a soda, yet it’s healthy and hydrating.  
  • Just squeeze some lemon juice in a glass of sparkling water, or merely add a slice or two of lemon to the water and enjoy.  It’s tough to make a pitcher of infused sparkling water unless you serve it right away.  The water will go flat on you if it sits in the refrigerator during the day.

glass filled with sliced citrus fruit

Warm Lemon Water

  • Drinking a cup of warm lemon water is a really great way to start your morning!  
  • Warm lemon water is made the same way as lemon water.  Just squeeze the juice of 1/2 to 1 whole small lemon in an 8 ounce mug of water, adding more or less per your desired taste.  You can also stir in a teaspoon or two of honey to add a little sweetness if you like.

glass filled with sliced citrus fruit

Stay Hydrated

If we make drinking plain water a little fun, we’re more likely to drink more water.  Here’s a few ideas to help you stay hydrated:

  • Never leave home without a bottle of water or thermos of water – take water with you wherever you go
  • Toss in fresh herbs and slices of fruit to a glass of water to add a pop of flavor 
  • Sip on infused water out of your favorite wine glasses
  • Keep a variety of flavored ice cubes in your freezer to add to water for a refreshing pop of flavor
  • Whenever you finish drinking a glass of water (or bottle of water), grab a refil

Lemon Recipes

Here are some of my favorite lemon recipes that help me to incorporate more lemon into my daily wellness plan.

Lemon Water
Yield: 1 serving

Lemon Water

Prep Time 5 minutes
Total Time 5 minutes

Lemon water is rich with vitamin C, antioxidants and anti-inflammatory benefits, and helps to improve the overall health of your immune system.

Ingredients

  • Juice of 1/2 lemon to 1 small whole lemon
  • 1 cup (8 ounces) water

Instructions

    1. Slice lemon in half and squeeze juice in 1 cup of water (warm, cold or sparkling).
    2. Add slice of lemon to glass for garnish and additional flavor.

Notes

LEMON AND LIME WATER

Squeeze both lemon and lime juice in an 8 ounce glass of water, adding more or less per your desired taste.  For infused water, just add slices of both lemon and lime to a pitcher of water and refrigerate.

CUCUMBER LEMON WATER

Squeeze  lemon juice in an 8 ounce glass of water, adding more or less per your desired taste, then add a couple of thin slices of cucumber to your glass.  For infused water, just add slices of both lemon and cucumber to a pitcher of water and refrigerate.

SPARKLING LEMON WATER

Squeeze some lemon juice in a glass of sparkling water, or merely add a slice or two of lemon to the water and enjoy.  It's tough to make a pitcher of sparkling lemon water unless you serve it right away.  The water will go flat on you if it sits in the refrigerator during the day.

WARM LEMON WATER

Squeeze the juice of 1/2 to 1 whole small lemon in an 8 ounce mug of water, adding more or less per your desired taste.  You can also stir in a teaspoon or two of honey to add a little sweetness if you like.