This Orange Infused Water recipe is one of the easiest and tastiest ways to up your daily water intake, turning juicy oranges into a naturally sweet and citrusy drink without too much sugar. Perfect for staying hydrated and refreshed all day long!
This fruit-infused water recipe turns everyday H₂O into a naturally sweet, refreshing, and flavorful experience. With just a few simple ingredients – fresh oranges, water, and ice – you can create a tasty beverage that’s as easy to make as it is to sip.
Orange water is an easy way to make plain old water exciting, so you’ll drink more throughout the day without any sugar crash. It’s one of my go-to healthy drinks anytime I need a naturally sweet and citrusy pick-me-up!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
Here are three reasons to try this flavored water:
- Day-to-day hydration. It’s an enjoyable way to drink more water throughout the day with very few calories.
- Customizable. Beyond orange, you can add herbs, ginger, or even other fruits to create your own signature infused water flavor.
- Great for hosting. It’s a perfect non-alcoholic drink for parties, branches, and chill hangouts. You can make it in batches with zero stress.
Ingredient Notes
Here is everything you’ll need to make this recipe:
Before we start, let’s take a closer look at what it takes to transform regular water into a vibrant, nutrient-packed beverage:
- Orange – You can use any kind of orange. Navel oranges are sweet and widely available, while cara cara and Valencia oranges add a juicier, tangier note. Whatever you choose, make sure it’s firm and fresh without any soft spots.
- Water – As the hydrating base of this orange water drink, quality matters. Using clean, filtered water makes a big difference in taste. If your tap water has strong flavors, your orange water drink will too.
- Ice – Enjoying orange water over ice helps keep it cold longer without watering it down too quickly. If you’d like to skip ice, just be sure to chill the pitcher in the fridge for at least 2 hours before serving.
How to Make Orange Water
This simple step-by-step will show you exactly how to infuse water with fresh orange flavor:
Step 1. Wash and peel.
Rinse your orange thoroughly under cool water. Using a sharp paring knife or vegetable peeler, slice thin strips of orange peel, avoiding the bitter white pith underneath the skin.
Step 2. Muddle.
Place the peel strips in the bottom of a pitcher and gently muddle them with the back of a spoon or a muddler to release the natural oils.
Step 3. Juice and strain.
Cut the orange in half and squeeze out the juice. Strain the juice through a fine-mesh strainer to remove seeds and excess pulp.
Step 4. Combine and chill.
Add the juice to the pitcher. Fill it with cold water and give everything a gentle stir. Refrigerate the pitcher for at least 2 hours before serving.
Step 5. Serve.
Pour the infused water over ice, or enjoy it chilled straight from the fridge. If you’re feeling fancy, garnish with orange slices and enjoy!
Recipe Tips
Here are a few pro tips and tricks to help you get the best-tasting homemade orange water every time:
- Wash your fruit well – Since this recipe uses the peel, it’s essential to wash your orange well to remove dirt, wax, or pesticide residue. A quick scrub under cool running water does the trick, but for added peace of mind, try rinsing with a bit of vinegar water as well.
- Avoid the bitter pith – Take your time peeling thin strips of orange zest, avoiding the bitter white pith underneath. Using just the pure zest and juice keeps the orange water bright and flavorful.
- Don’t rush the infusion – Technically, you can drink it right away, but the flavor is much better if you chill the pitcher in the fridge for at least 2 hours. This is enough time to allow the citrus oils to release and meld with the juice and water, creating a bolder, more refreshing flavor.
Variations
One of the best things about this orange-infused water recipe is how easy it is to customize. Here are some variations to try:
- Switch the citrus – Instead of orange, try clementine, mandarin, tangerine, or even tangelo-infused water. Blood oranges are another option if you’re okay with the gorgeous ruby-red hue and deeper, almost berry-like flavor. You could even combine oranges with lemon, lime, or grapefruit for a more nuanced citrus flavor.
- Make it bubbly – Craving bubbles? Replace half of the water with sparkling water right before serving for a refreshing and fizzy soda-like orange water drink with zero added sugar.
- Add-ins and extras – Feel free to add sprigs of fresh herbs (like mint, basil, or rosemary), pomegranate seeds, cucumber slices, a slice of fresh ginger, or even a few edible flowers to the pitcher for a more spa-like infused water experience.
Storing & Freezing
Storing: Store homemade orange water in a covered container in the refrigerator and enjoy it within 24 hours for the best flavor and freshness. After that, the peel and juice can start to taste bitter.
Freezing: For longer storage, freeze the orange water in ice cube trays. These cubes are perfect for adding instant citrus flavor to any beverage.
More Infused Water Recipes
If you’re craving more infused water flavors beyond orange, check out these refreshing variations:
How to Make Orange Infused Water
Equipment
- Pitcher (or Mason jar)
Ingredients
- 1 orange (more for garnishing, optional)
- 4-5 cups water
- ice (optional)
Instructions
- Wash the orange thoroughly.
- Peel: Use a paring knife or vegetable peeler to slice thin strips of orange peel, avoiding the white pith.
- Muddle: Add the peel strips to a pitcher and gently muddle them with a spoon or muddler to release their oils.
- Juice: Squeeze the orange and strain the juice through a fine mesh strainer to remove seeds and pulp. Pour the juice into the pitcher.
- Add water and stir gently.
- Chill in the fridge for at least 2 hours to let the flavors infuse.
- Serve cold, with or without ice.
Recipe Notes
Tips
- Wash the fruit well: Since you’re using the peel, scrub the orange under cool water or rinse with vinegar water to remove dirt and residue.
- Skip the bitter pith: Peel thin strips of zest, avoiding the white pith to keep the flavor bright, not bitter.
- Let it infuse: Chill for at least 2 hours to allow the flavors to fully develop. It’s worth the wait!
- Garnish: Add a few fresh orange slices before serving for a pretty and flavorful touch.
Storing
- Storage: Keep the orange water in a covered container in the fridge and enjoy it within 24 hours for the best flavor.
- Freezing: Freeze in ice cube trays for longer storage and quick citrus boosts in drinks.
The nutrition facts are an estimate. Variations in ingredient brands, portion sizes, or substitutions can affect the final nutritional values. For the most accurate information, please use a nutrition calculator or consult with a healthcare provider. Always ensure that each of the ingredients is allowed in your diet.
Meet Maria
Maria Ushakova is a holistic nutritionist and food blogger. She focuses on developing easy recipes using real food ingredients. She believes that healthy food is delicious and anyone can learn how to cook it. Maria’s work has appeared on numerous popular websites as well as in print.
