Citrus Cucumber Infused Water

Don’t you get so excited when you are greeted with an unexpected gift of food or drink?

Don’t you immediately perk up with pure glee when a coworker hands you a jar of homemade strawberry jam?

Or when a friend drops off a huge casserole at your front door when you are quarantined with Covid?

Or when your server at a restaurant offers you a free dessert or drink, because you’re celebrating a special occasion?

What a heartwarming realization, knowing that someone somewhere is thinking about you – and that they dedicated extra time out of a busy schedule or busy service to transform their compassion and consideration into something you can actually taste!

Spread the love and keep the hospitable energy flowing by providing your own homemade infused water when you know you have guests arriving.

This citrus and cucumber version is a classic – with just a few ingredients and some easy prep, you can transport your guests from humble home to soothing spa.

Sliced orange, lemon, and lime offers an invigorating blend of bright flavors, effortlessly balanced by the slightly vegetal, grassy notes provided by the cucumber.

Poured into glasses filled with ice and served with a smile – and maybe a cute garnish – your friends and family will definitely feel how loved and appreciated they are by you!

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Cooking by the Numbers…

Step 1 – Prep

Set out a pitcher, one that is large enough to hold two quarts of liquid. Set out the lid for the pitcher, or a roll of plastic wrap if the pitcher does not have a lid.

Before slicing, thoroughly wash all of the produce, shaking off any excess water.

Using a sharp knife and a sturdy cutting board, thinly slice the orange, lemon, lime, and cucumber.

You should avoid using the end pieces, as they will release too much bitterness into the drink. Remove any seeds from each slice of citrus.

Trying to reduce food waste in your kitchen? You can save the ends and seeds for composting purposes.

Measure out your water. Use your favorite filtered water at home, obtained from a separate filter pitcher, faucet, or refrigerator dispenser. You can also choose your preferred brand of bottled water.

Step 2 – Add All Ingredients to Pitcher

Gently place all of the slices in the bottom of the pitcher – there’s no particular order of placement required here.

Pour the water into the pitcher over the slices.

Step 3 – Infuse and Chill

Cover the pitcher with the lid, or tightly wrap the top with plastic wrap. Transfer the pitcher to your refrigerator.

Infuse for a minimum of 2 hours, or for up to 8 hours. The longer the mixture remains in the refrigerator, the stronger the flavors will be.

If you prefer more subtle flavors provided by the fresh produce, infuse for less time. If you prefer more pronounced flavors, infuse up to the 8 total hours.

However, you should not infuse the water for any longer than this time, as these ingredients will start to impart an unpleasantly bitter and acidic taste.

Here’s another important tip: make sure you infuse your beverage in the refrigerator, not at room temperature.

According to food safety experts at the CDC and the FDA freshly cut fruits and vegetables are considered highly perishable produce. They need to be refrigerated within 2 hours of being prepped at room temperature to prevent foodborne illnesses due to improper storage.

Step 4 – Serve and Store

For the most refreshing serving suggestion, fill individual drinking glasses with plenty of ice before pouring the infused water into them.

You can choose to strain out everything before serving, or you can evenly distribute some of the pieces among the glasses for a pop of bright colors.

Drink your beverage immediately, while it’s cold. Again, perishable sliced fruits should not sit at room temperature for any longer than 2 hours.

To store any extra infused water, remove all of the pieces of fruits and veggies after the initial infusion in Step 3 before pouring the flavored water into an airtight container.

The beverage is already flavored to your preferred strength – you don’t want to continue infusing, or else the fresh produce will continue breaking down and the liquid will become too bitter.

Garnish for a Final Touch

When we’re in a hurry and trying to save some time, we tend to live in the fast, no-frills lane of a “pour-and-go” approach when getting ourselves something to drink.

But there’s still an opportunity to serve others a beautifully adorned beverage!

And this particular variety of produce in this recipe offers us bountiful garnishing ideas for an impressive presentation.

For a playful idea, slice a cucumber or lime coin halfway through with a small paring knife, and slide it down on the rim of each glass.