One thing that I have recently started doing is infusing my ice cubes and water with different natural flavors. I try to stay hydrated throughout the day, but lets be honest, the taste of plain water can get a little boring at times. Adding fresh fruits and herbs to my water has made it significantly more exciting to get those "8 Glasses" in each day. I have also started expanding to flavor infusing my ice cubes using this fantastic silicone ice cube tray, which has been great not only for water consumption and adding an extra delicious splash of flavor to my cocktails, but its also a great way to use up that extra produce before it spoils. Below is a "How To" for lemon-basil ice cubes, but I also have a list of different fruits, veggies and herbs that would work great for ice cubes, water or both!
Lemon Basil Ice Cubes
- Zest of 1 Lemon divided into 4 piles
- 8-10+ Fresh Basil Leaves Julienned
- Filtered Water
Directions:
- Zest 1 lemon using a microplane (or equivalent zesting tool) and divide into 4 piles
- Thinly slice or julienne 8-10+ fresh basil leaves and divide into 4 piles
- Add a pile of lemon zest and a pile of julienned basil leaves to each cube well
- Once zest and basil have been added to each well, fill the wells with filtered water and place tray in the freezer.
Flavored Ice Cube Inspiration:
- Fresh Currants, Blueberries, Raspberries, Blackberries, Strawberries
- Sliced Meyer Lemons, Clementines, Key Limes, Limes
- Grapefruit Zest and Juice
- Herbs- Rosemary, Sage, Basil, Mint (be sure to cut herb before placing in cube tray so that the natural oils from the herb can be released)
- Lemons and Thyme
- Pomegranate Seeds
Flavored Water Inspiration:
- Pomegranate Seeds and Sliced Clementines (Pictured Above)
- Sliced Cucumbers
- Lemons, Oranges, Grapefruit, Limes, Key Limes
- Sliced Pineapple
- Watermelon
- Currants
- Raspberries, Blackberries, Blueberries, Strawberries (combine all, some or just one)