Medically reviewed by Shahzadi Devje, Registered Dietitian (RD) & Certified Diabetes Educator (CDE)
This Blueberry Orange water infusion with hints of rosemary manages to be both richly flavoured and oh-so-refreshing — and it requires minimal effort. Just remember that your blueberries must be at their ripest best, and you can use either blood, cara cara, jaffa or navel oranges to create this Summer water infusion. It the absolute thirst quencher!
I adore water and drink plenty of it, but sometimes, it's nice to spruce it up with seasonal variations.
Have you tried infused water recipes? Well, if you haven't dabbled as yet and want to go beyond simple, humble water, then there's no better time than now to give this easy and healthy recipe a try.
On Summer days, I love to create a giant batch and place it in the fridge for the kids to enjoy and for me to triumph that we are all drinking more water. It contains no added sugar, and of course, like most of my recipes, it relies on nature's candy to bring delicious flavour.
This refreshing orange water hits the spot every single time. And one you may want to consider as a means to elevate your Summer. Besides those regular days, it's also the perfect easy summer drink for barbecues and cookouts. I must say, it's one of the best infused water recipes I've tried.
You Asked: Is Orange Water Good For You?
There are many reasons to enjoy more oranges in your diet. Below, I present only a handful.
First, they are a good source of vitamin C, which protects your cells from free radical damage. This is a hallmark of many chronic diseases, like diabetes, cardiovascular diseases and some types of cancers. In fact, vitamin C is used as a safe treatment regimen for cancer patients - with minimal side effects. Not to mention, our immune system's defence functions at its best with the help of vitamin C, providing support to various cellular immune functions.
Suppose you're looking for more ways to support your immunity. In that case, my article on how to boost your immune system to potentially resist diseases is a great place to start.
And let's not forget the benefits of vitamin C for our skin health; healthy skin holds high concentrations of vitamin C. This stimulates the production of collagen and offers antioxidant protection against UV-induced photodamage. Now, I don't know how you're feeling, but I'm excited about soft, smooth skin.
And here are a few more reasons: it helps support the absorption of iron from foods. Vitamin C has also been shown to reduce the risk of age-related macular degeneration - a leading cause of vision loss.
How To Make It
Here are the ingredients you need to make Blueberry Orange Water:
- Start with the blueberries: Smash them using a muddler and set aside (Images 1-2). If creating a small batch, you could add a couple of tablespoons in a large glass and smash the berries with your muddler.
- Release the flavour of rosemary: This part is important as it will instantly add oodles of rosemary scent to your water infusion. Use the muddler to gently press the sprigs to release its oil (Image 3).
- Build the flavours: I always start with ice as the first layer (Image 4), followed by the blueberries (Images 5-6), rosemary (Image 7) and thinly sliced oranges (Images 8-9). Then finish with cold water (Image 10).
- Rest it! Let it sit in the fridge for one to three hours. This allows the beautiful flavours to meld together even further. To be honest, we can never wait and enjoy it straight away and refill with water. 🙂
- Serve and enjoy! Pour your blueberry orange water into glasses, add more ice and enjoy. It keeps well in the fridge for a few hours. Any longer, and you're likely to taste the bitterness of the orange rind. See recipes for more storage tips.
Top Tips For Making The Best Infused Water
- Make sure your blueberries are nice and ripe but not on the verge of going bad. Otherwise, your water infusion won't taste the same.
- You want the fruits and rosemary to be as fresh as possible to exude all their delicious flavour
- Make sure you wash the fruits and rosemary very well to remove any dirt or debris.
- If you're not planning to enjoy this within 3-4 hours, it's best to remove the orange slices and rosemary sprigs. Then simply store the infused water in an airtight container in the fridge and enjoy it over a few days.
Looking for more easy summer drinks? Make sure to check out:
- Strawberry Lassi Drink
- Green Juice Recipe With Celery
- Pineapple Mango Smoothie
- Green Smoothie Recipe
- Easy And Healthy Carrot Juice Recipe
What are your favourite Summer drinks? Let me know in the comments below!
If you try this easy blueberry orange water recipe, I would love to hear from you! Leave a comment, rate it, or share a photo and hashtag with #desiliciousrd on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter! Can't wait to see your photos.
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Blueberry Orange Water Infusion
Ingredients
- 1 orange medium, washed, thinly sliced
- 1 cup blueberries washed
- 2 rosemary stems, washed
- 3 cups ice
- 5 cups water cold
Instructions
- Smash blueberries using a muddler and set aside. If creating a small batch, you could add a small handful of blueberries to a large glass and use your muddler to smash them
- Use the muddler to gently press the rosemary sprigs to release the oil and scent
- To a large pitcher, add ice, blueberries, rosemary and orange slices. Finish with cold water
- Let the blueberry orange water infusion sit in the fridge for one to three hours. This allows the beautiful flavours to meld together even further. To be honest, we can never wait and enjoy it straight away and refill with water and continue to hydrate through teh day.
- Pour your blueberry orange water into glasses, add more ice and enjoy. It keeps well in the fridge for a few hours. Any longer, and you're likely to taste the bitterness of the orange rind. See recipes for more storage tips
Notes
- Make sure your blueberries are nice and ripe but not on the verge of going bad. Otherwise, your water infusion won't taste the same.
- You want the fruits and rosemary to be as fresh as possible to exude all their delicious flavour
- Make sure you wash the fruits and rosemary very well to remove any dirt or debris.
- If you're not planning to enjoy this within 3-4 hours, it's best to remove the orange slices and rosemary sprigs. Then simply store the infused water in an airtight container in the fridge and enjoy it over a few days.
Please note the nutritional analysis values are estimates and suggestions. This nutrition facts table does not know your life - your body, including your hunger and satiety cues, change daily. It's okay to eat more or less. Say no to food guilt and instead embrace mindful eating.
Shahzadi is an award-winning registered dietitian (RD) regulated by the College of Dietitians of Ontario and certified diabetes educator (CDE), approved by the Canadian Diabetes Educator Certification Board. A YouTuber and notorious foodie, she's dedicated to helping you end your cooking wars, transform your health, and be the best version of yourself! Shahzadi is an on-air nutrition expert for CTV Your Morning and a regular contributor for Global News and other national media outlets.
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