Introduction

Oh, honey, let me tell you about those hot summer afternoons when you just need something cool, crisp, and utterly refreshing. Plain water is great, don’t get me wrong, but sometimes you crave just a little more, you know? Something that feels like a treat but is actually doing good things for your body. That’s where this Cucumber Citrus Detox Water comes in! It’s not just pretty to look at; it’s incredibly easy to whip up and tastes like sunshine in a glass. It’s become my absolute go-to when I need a hydration boost that feels a little extra special.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Seriously, what’s not to love? This drink is:

Fast: Takes less than 5 minutes of active time!
Easy: Anyone can make this – no fancy skills required.
Giftable: Make a beautiful pitcher for a party or a friend.
Crowd-Pleasing: Even picky drinkers usually love this refreshing mix.
Hydrating: A delicious way to get your water intake.

Ingredients

Gathering the ingredients is a breeze. Here’s what you’ll need to create this little pitcher of heaven:

1 small cucumber: Look for one that’s firm and fresh. Thinly slicing it is key! Cucumber adds such a cooling, mild flavor.
1 lemon: Bright, zesty, and classic. A good wash is important since you’re using the peel.
½ orange: Adds a lovely touch of sweetness and a different kind of citrus note that balances the lemon beautifully.
6-8 mint leaves: Fresh mint is everything in this recipe. A gentle bruise (a little clap between your hands) helps release its oils.
6 cups cold water: The base of our delicious drink! Filtered water works best if you have it.
Ice cubes: For serving, and you can add some to the pitcher too if you’re impatient!

How to Make It

Okay, ready? This is so simple, it barely needs instructions, but I’ll walk you through it step-by-step like we’re making it together in my kitchen.

First things first, make sure all your fruits are well-washed, especially since we’re using the peels.

Grab a nice, large pitcher or jug. You’ll want something big enough to hold about 6-8 cups of liquid comfortably.
Carefully add your thinly sliced cucumber, lemon slices, orange slices, and those lovely mint leaves into the pitcher. Don’t just drop them in; arrange them nicely if you want it to look extra pretty!
Pour in the cold water. Fill the pitcher up, making sure all the fruit is submerged if possible.
If you want to serve it right away and don’t mind slightly less intense flavor initially, add some ice cubes directly to the pitcher now. Otherwise, save the ice for the glasses when serving. Give everything a gentle stir with a long spoon.
Now for the important part: the infusion! Pop the pitcher into the refrigerator. You’ll want to let those beautiful flavors meld together for at least 1 to 2 hours. I find 2 hours is just perfect, but if you can wait longer, even better! The longer it chills, the more intense the flavors will be.
When you’re ready to enjoy, pour the chilled water into glasses filled with ice. Ahh, pure refreshment!

Substitutions & Additions

This recipe is super forgiving and totally open to experimentation! Feel free to play around based on what you have or what you love:

Citrus Swap: No orange? Use grapefruit! No lemon? Try lime! Or a mix of all three.
Herb It Up: Instead of or in addition to mint, try a few sprigs of fresh basil or even a hint of rosemary (use sparingly, it’s strong!).
Berry Burst: Add some sliced strawberries, raspberries, or blueberries for extra flavor and a gorgeous pop of color.
Spice It: A few thin slices of fresh ginger can add a lovely warmth and zestiness.
Sweetness: If your fruit isn’t very sweet and you want a tiny bit more, you could add a very small drizzle of honey or maple syrup before chilling, but I find the orange is usually enough.

Tips for Success

Making infused water is simple, but a few little tips can make it even better:

Wash Your Fruit! Seriously, wash it really well, especially since the peels are in the water. Organic is great if you can find it.
Slice Thinly: Thinner slices expose more surface area, meaning quicker flavor infusion.
Don’t Over-Infuse: While chilling is key, leaving the fruit (especially citrus peel) in the water for too long (like, more than 24 hours) can sometimes make the water taste bitter.
Gentle is Key: Don’t muddle or mash the fruit too much in the pitcher, especially the citrus peels, as this can also release bitter oils. A gentle stir is enough.
Refill It: You can often refill the pitcher with fresh water once or twice before the fruit loses all its flavor. Just let it infuse again for an hour or two.

How to Store It

Keep this lovely detox water in a covered pitcher in the refrigerator. It’s best enjoyed within 24-48 hours. After that, the fruit can start to break down and may make the water taste slightly bitter or just lose its vibrant flavor. For the freshest taste, I recommend making a batch you can finish within a day or two.

FAQs

Is this really a “detox” water? Think of it more as “infused” or “hydration” water! While these ingredients are healthy and hydration supports your body’s natural detox processes, this drink isn’t a miracle cure. It’s simply a delicious, healthy alternative to sugary drinks that encourages you to drink more water!
Can I eat the fruit after it’s been in the water? You can, but the flavor might be a bit watery and not as appealing as fresh fruit. The goodness has mostly gone into the water.
How long should I infuse the water? For best flavor, at least 1-2 hours. You can go up to 4-6 hours for a stronger taste, but I’d suggest removing the fruit after 24 hours max to avoid bitterness.

Refreshing Cucumber Citrus Detox Water

A simple and delicious infused water recipe combining cucumber, lemon, orange, and mint for a hydrating and refreshing drink, perfect for hot summer days.

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Prep Time 5

Equipment

pitcher or jug large, holds 6-8 cups
long spoon for stirring

Ingredients

Main Ingredients

1 small cucumber thinly sliced
1 lemon sliced, well-washed
0.5 orange sliced
6 mint leaves fresh, bruised
6 cups cold water filtered best
ice cubes for serving and infusing

Instructions

First things first, make sure all your fruits are well-washed, especially since we're using the peels.
Grab a nice, large pitcher or jug. You'll want something big enough to hold about 6-8 cups of liquid comfortably.
Carefully add your thinly sliced cucumber, lemon slices, orange slices, and those lovely mint leaves into the pitcher. Don't just drop them in; arrange them nicely if you want it to look extra pretty!
Pour in the cold water. Fill the pitcher up, making sure all the fruit is submerged if possible.
If you want to serve it right away and don't mind slightly less intense flavor initially, add some ice cubes directly to the pitcher now. Otherwise, save the ice for the glasses when serving. Give everything a gentle stir with a long spoon.
Now for the important part: the infusion! Pop the pitcher into the refrigerator. You'll want to let those beautiful flavors meld together for at least 1 to 2 hours. I find 2 hours is just perfect, but if you can wait longer, even better! The longer it chills, the more intense the flavors will be.
When you're ready to enjoy, pour the chilled water into glasses filled with ice. Ahh, pure refreshment!

Notes

Keep covered in refrigerator for up to 24-48 hours. For best flavor, infuse at least 1-2 hours, or up to 4-6 hours for stronger taste, but remove fruit after maximum 24 hours to avoid bitterness. Wash fruit thoroughly, especially peels. Slice fruit thinly for quicker infusion. Don't muddle fruit, especially citrus peels, as this can release bitter oils. Can often refill pitcher with fresh water 1-2 times and re-infuse. This is best considered infused/hydration water rather than a miraculous 'detox' drink; it encourages water intake.