Upgrade your H2O with fruit-infused water

PHOTO: JAMES NG

“Rather than snacking on bread and cookies which will take time for your body to break down, the simple sugars in fruits go straight to your blood and give you an energy boost.”
Ms Johannah Soo Li Mei,
Lecturer at NIE’s Natural Sciences & Science Education

The quest for radiant skin can be a tedious affair — other than applying tons of skincare and sunblock, we all know we need to drink at least eight glasses of water everyday to keep our skin dewy, soft and supple.

But drinking cup after cup of plain old H20 can be a humdrum affair for most of us.

To jazz it up, immerse a combination of vegetables, herbs and fruits in flavoured or plain water and have your sweet treat chilled or at room temperature. These Instagram-worthy fruit-infused water will give you a sweet incentive to hit your daily water intake.

We came up with four recipes to aid you in your quest to staying hydrated. Adjust the amount of water to suit your preference of sweetness.

All ingredients can be found at Giant (beside Canteen Two) and Prime Supermarket (at North Spine Plaza). Prices are accurate as of press time.

SINLESS SWEETS

PHOTO: JAMES NG

Ingredients:
• 3-4 strawberries, whole or sliced, $4.95/box
• 1⁄2 lime, thinly sliced, $1.10/ packet
• 250ml pure coconut water, $1.20
• Water

If you’re in the mood for something saccharine, try out this strawberry-and-lime infused coconut water. Use Korean strawberries (they are known to be the sweetest) to balance the tartness of the lime. The coconut water adds a hint of nuttiness to the ambrosial concoction.

HYDRATE 101

PHOTO: JAMES NG

Ingredients:
• 250ml pure coconut water, $1.20
• 1⁄4 cucumber, thinly sliced, $0.90 • 1⁄2 lemon, thinly sliced, $0.55
• Water

Speed up your journey to soft and supple skin with the added minerals from the cucumber of this citrusy beverage. The sweetness of the coconut water balances the tartness of the lemon slices, while the subtle taste of cucumbers makes it a light and refreshing drink.

MINTY MEDLEY

PHOTO: JAMES NG

Ingredients:
• Mint leaves, $0.90/packet
• 1⁄4 Grapefruit, sliced and skin removed, $1.30
• 1⁄2 Lemon, sliced, $0.55
• Water

Those who love the cool aftertaste of peppermint leaves are in for a treat. The mint leaves leave your breath date-ready, while the grapefruit adds a hint of bitterness, perfect for those who dislike sweet beverages. Chill it in the fridge for an ice-cold zero-calorie dessert.

SKINNY APPLE PIE

PHOTO: JAMES NG

Ingredients:
• A pinch of cinnamon powder, $1.95
• 1 large Fuji apple, cubed, $0.55 • Water

Bye Bye Miss American Pie… except we are talking about apple pies here. Although this skinny substitute can never make up for the deliciousness that is a warm, gooey-apple pie, the sweet crunchy apple bits and dash of cinnamon will at least stave off the cravings.

A version of this article appeared in the print edition of The Nanyang Chronicle on March 7, 2016, with the headline ‘Upgrade your H2O’. Print Edition