It’s the time of year when I am normally making copious amounts of elderflower cordial but as I am avoiding sugar, it is no longer an option. I have instead turned to flavoured waters. It may not sound very exciting but I urge you to try it – it is simple and simply much better for you than sugary drinks, whether they come from the hedgerow or the supermarket.
All you do is add water to fruit! Get a good sized jug, put your chosen fruit (mashing it up a bit normally helps releases the flavours) fill up with water and chill in the fridge. Fruits which work best include strawberries, raspberries, lemons, oranges, limes, watermelon and pineapple; adding herbs like mint and even basil add additional flavour; grated ginger adds a‘zing’ and even cucumber will add a refreshing twist.
I use a lot of Melissa or bee balm too, just because it fills the beds and borders at the cottage. It is also great with hot water as a tea. I am also lucky to have copious amounts of wild strawberries – normally considered a bit of a pain as they are so invasive, I have let them go this year and am reaping the benefits of the heavenly scented little fruits. Not surprisingly, they are a great flavouring for water.
They were also a huge hit with Derek the Weatherman at BBC Wales last week, who ate the lot!
And try creating different ‘blends’ – strawberry and basil work well together as does orange, pineapple and ginger or just lemon, lime and mint. Slightly more exotic blends I have tried and which work include Jalapeno pepper and watermelon, apple and cinnamon and peach and mint. They are all made a bit more of a treat when made with sparkling water too.
According to the National Resources Defense Council, 90 percent of what you pay for a bottle of water goes toward packaging, shipping, and advertising and as I have mentioned, if you’re going to buy flavoured waters, they will include added colours, sugars, and other unhealthy agents.
Water rip off!
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