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Learn how to make Lemon Water with this easy lemon water recipe. Drinking lemon infused water (whether it’s warm or sparkling) made with fresh squeezed lemon juice makes a healthy alternative to sodas, sports drinks, coffee and sweetened teas. Two clear drinking glasses filled with lemon water. Slices of lemon and sprigs of mint are in the glasses..This lemon water recipe is so easy to make and it makes a refreshing drink to serve at backyard barbecues, holidays, birthday parties and baby showers. It’s also pretty and promotes a healthy lifestyle!

A glass pitcher filled with water and lemon slices. Lemon slices with a knife sit next to the pitcher.

This simple drink is one of my favorite summer drinks to make, and it’s a popular drink served at health spas across the country. It’s refreshing and hydrating, has zero calories, no refined sugar and it turns plain ol water into something really enjoyable to drink. 

Lemon Water Recipe

You will only need two ingredients for this simple recipe.

  • Lemons. Using organic fruit is best. 
  • Water. I like to use either purified or spring. 

Find printable recipe with the measurements below.

How To Make Lemon Water

This recipe 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

  • Prep Fruit. Rinse lemons well. Pat dry and cut into thin slices.
  • Combine Ingredients. Pour yourself an 8-ounce glass of purified or spring water. Squeeze the juice of 1/2 lemon in your glass of water (about 1 tablespoon)
  • Enjoy. Add ice and garnish with a slice of lemon and a sprig of fresh mint.

To Make A Pitcher 

1 lemon per 8-10 cups of water

  • Prep Fruit. Rinse outside of lemons well. Pat dry and cut into thin slices.
  • Steep. Add lemon slices to the bottom of a large pitcher. Fill the pitcher with water (I like purified or spring best). Steep fruit in the water for up to 1 hour; 2-3 hours best.
  • Discard fruit. Discard the fruit by end of the day. The fruit will become plump and swollen and it’ll make the water have a strong flavor if left overnight.
  • Enjoy. Serve over ice and garnish with slices of lemon and a sprig of fresh mint.

Two clear glasses filled with sliced fruit.

Lemon Lime Water

  • Lemon and lime water is also a refreshing dink.
  • 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.

A glass pitcher 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 glass or a pitcher of water and refrigerate.

A clear drinking glass filled with sparkling water with slices of citrus. A bottle of sparkling water sits next to the glass.

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.  

A clear glass mug filled with water and slices of citrus.

Warm Lemon Water

  • Drinking a cup of warm lemon water is a really great way to start your morning!  
  • 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.

A clear drinking glass filled with lemon water with slices of lemon and a sprig of mint.

Tips For Making Lemon Water

  • If possible, choose fresh organic fruit and spring or purified water, or you can choose carbonated water to make flavored sparkling water.
  • Exact measurements aren’t necessary.
  • The fruit gets swollen and soggy after several hours, so I typically make only a pitcher at a time (8 cups to last a day).
  • Infuse fruit longer for a more intense fruit flavor.
  • Discard fruit before it gets swollen and soggy because it can add a bitter taste to the water.

Simple Tips To Stay Hydrated

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

  • Never leave home without a bottle 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 (or bottle) of water, grab a refill.

Looking For More Refreshing Drink Recipes?

Looking For More 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
Cook Time 1 hour
Total Time 1 hour 5 minutes

Learn how to make Lemon Water with this easy lemon water recipe. Drinking lemon infused water (whether it's warm or sparkling) made with fresh squeezed lemon juice makes a healthy alternative to sodas, sports drinks, coffee and sweetened teas.

Ingredients

  • Juice of 1/2 lemon to 1 small whole lemon
  • 1 cup (8 ounces) water
  • Lemon slices for garnish
  • Fresh mint for garnish

Instructions

For A Single Glass

  1. Rinse whole lemons well. Pat dry and cut into thin slices.
  2. Pour yourself an 8-ounce glass of purified or spring water.
  3. Squeeze the juice of 1/2 lemon in your glass of water (about 1 tablespoon).
  4. Add ice and garnish with a slice of lemon and a sprig of fresh mint.

For A Pitcher

  1. Rinse whole lemons well. Pat dry and cut into thin slices.
  2. Add lemon slices to the bottom of a large pitcher. Fill the pitcher with water (I like purified or spring best). Steep fruit in the water for up to 1 hour; 2-3 hours best.
  3. Discard the fruit by end of the day. The fruit will become plump and swollen and it’ll make the water have a strong flavor if left overnight.
  4. Serve over ice and garnish with slices of lemon and a sprig of fresh mint.

Notes

Lemon 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 warm 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.

Tips For Making Lemon Water

  1. If possible, choose fresh organic fruit and spring or purified water, or you can choose carbonated water to make flavored sparkling water.
  2. Exact measurements aren’t necessary.
  3. The fruit gets swollen and soggy after several hours, so I typically make only a pitcher at a time (8 cups to last a day).
  4. Infuse fruit longer for a more intense fruit flavor.
  5. Discard fruit before it gets swollen and soggy because it can add a bitter taste to the water.

Nutrition Information:

Yield:

1

Serving Size:

1
Amount Per Serving: Calories: 167Total Fat: 0gSaturated Fat: 0gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 0gCholesterol: 0mgSodium: 148mgCarbohydrates: 44gFiber: 4gSugar: 32gProtein: 2g

theharvestkitchen.com attempts to provide accurate information, however, this nutritional information is provided as a courtesy and is an estimate only. The nutritional information provided comes from online sources and calculations. See full disclaimer on About page.

© Deborah @The Harvest Kitchen
Cuisine: Healthy / Category: Drinks