Now, usually we tell you to use cold water and chill your infusions before serving, to release all the lovely flavours. But sometimes, a change is as good as a rest, and we’ve been looking at some warm water recipes for you.
Warm water is renowned for being an excellent metabolism kickstart in the morning, which is why a slice of lemon in a cup of warm water is the best thing you can drink when getting out of bed. Here are a few other ideas for you to try throughout the day – just promise us that you’ll use boiled water that’s been allowed to cool to a drinkable temperature. Our bottles are hardy, but they don’t like being scalded!
- Lemon and Ginger
INGREDIENTS: ½ lemon, sliced. Drizzle of honey, to taste. 2cm piece of fresh ginger, chopped.
METHOD: As we said in the intro, one of the best things you can drink on waking up is warm lemon water. It gears up your metabolism for the day, and the lemon has antibacterial, antiviral and immune-boosting properties making it a fabulous winter drink.
Simply allow boiling water to cool slightly, then pour it over slices of lemon. Drizzle some honey over the top and add some finely diced ginger for an extra kick, if you like.
- Peachy Green Tea
INGREDIENTS: 1 green tea bag. 1 small peach, chopped.
METHOD: Green tea is super rich in antioxidants, and adding fruit to it gives a new dimension to the flavour. Otherwise, it’d just be a cup of herbal tea now, wouldn’t it?! Simply add the tea bag to boiling water in a jug, allow to infuse for five minutes, and remove the teabag. Once the water is slightly cooled, add the peach to the chamber of your bottle and pour over the water.
- Apple, Vanilla and Cinnamon Medley
INGREDIENTS: 1/2 a red apple, chopped. 1 cinnamon stick. 1 vanilla pod, scored, or 2 drops vanilla extract.
METHOD: Add the apple to the chamber of your bottle and poke the cinnamon stick and vanilla pod (if using) into the centre. Screw to the lid and pour over the warm water, shaking gently to release the flavours.
This is a great infusion for the winter months, where the subtle spices tickle the tastebuds and the apple delivers a hit of vitamin C. The combination in this drink can help to ward off a host of seasonal germs.
- Mint Madness
INGREDIENTS: 1 mint tea bag. 4 mint leaves, crushed. 10 blueberries, crushed.
METHOD: Make up a jug of mint tea, allowing the bag to sit undisturbed for 5 minutes. Then, remove the bag and pour the water into your bottle. Add the mint leaves and the blueberries to the chamber of your bottle and screw on the lid.
If lemon and ginger water is a great way to start the day, then this one is perfect for drinking in the evening or after your main meal. That’s because mint is a superb digestion aid, and it helps with trapped wind too. The blueberries are rich in vitamin C and antioxidants, and their subtle flavour will seep into the mint even more if you crush them before adding to your chamber.
- Cranberry Cocktail
INGREDIENTS: 250ml cranberry juice combined with 150ml apple juice, heated. ½ orange, sliced. 1 teaspoon mixed spice. Drizzle of honey, to taste.
METHOD: Add boiling water to the fruit juices in a jug and stir in the spice. Lay the slices of orange into the chamber of your bottle, and once slightly cooled, pour in the liquid. Drizzle the honey in and shake the bottle gently to mix the spices into the juice.
Cranberry juice is a brilliant little powerhouse, primarily known for providing relief from urinary tract infections. It also helps to inhibit certain strains of the Haemophilus influenza, which is a common cause of ear and respiratory infections in children. This infusion is therefore fantastic for little ones, with the honey giving a sweeter edge to the spice.
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