We’ve all had those days. You know, the ones where plain water tastes like—well—absolutely nothing. That’s when I reach for something a bit brighter. This citrus infused water hits that sweet spot between refreshing and satisfying, without trying too hard. It’s light, a little zesty, and wakes up your taste buds just enough to make sipping feel like a treat. With just a few slices of orange, lemon, and lime, you can transform a pitcher of water into something that actually makes you want to drink more. And if you’ve ever stood in front of your fridge trying to convince yourself to grab water instead of a soda—this is your answer. Hydration suddenly feels doable. I like to call it my kitchen’s low-effort secret weapon. Whether I’m winding down after a long walk or prepping for a weekend brunch, this is always sitting in the fridge, cold and cheerful. Plus, it’s a no-fuss win if you’re trying to swap out sugary drinks. When you’ve got recipes and drinks that are this easy, why not make hydration a little more delicious? It fits right in with my smoothie recipes, recipes smoothie dreams, and all my Easy Smoothie Recipes pinboards. Even your pickiest friend will admit it’s a keeper.

1) Key Takeaways
2) Easy Citrus Infused Water Recipe
3) Ingredients for Citrus Infused Water
4) How to Make Citrus Infused Water
5) Tips for Making Citrus Infused Water
6) Making Citrus Infused Water Ahead of Time
7) Storing Leftover Citrus Infused Water
8) Try these Drinks next!
9) Citrus Infused Water
10) Nutrition

1) Key Takeaways

This recipe brings life to your plain water using lemons, limes, and oranges.
You don’t need any fancy tools. Just fruit, water, a pitcher, and a fridge.
Perfect for warm days, parties, or just a little reset between meals.
It’s customizable and easy to prep ahead, and it looks beautiful too.

2) Easy Citrus Infused Water Recipe

Water. We know we should drink more of it. But let’s be real—sometimes it’s just kind of boring, right? I used to find myself reaching for sugary stuff mid-day, just to wake up my taste buds. Then I stumbled into citrus infused water. And wow, it changed everything.

What’s cool about this recipe is how simple it is. You slice a lemon, a lime, and an orange. Toss it into a pitcher with some cold water and let it hang out for a bit. That’s it. It’s my kind of lazy hydration, with a little flair.

It doesn’t just look like something out of a spa brochure. It actually makes me want to drink water. And that’s a win. This drink isn’t just good for you, it fits into your routine without a fuss. On the Healthy Living Mindset blog, I’ve started sharing more Drinks and Smoothie Recipes like this because I really believe little changes—like this—make a big difference.

3) Ingredients for Citrus Infused Water

1 lemon, sliced: Adds a tangy kick and sharpness that wakes your palate. Make sure you scrub it before slicing. You’ll thank me.

1 lime, sliced: Brings a bit of bitterness and brightness. I love the bite it adds to balance out the sweet orange.

1 orange, sliced: This adds the natural sweetness and citrus oils. If it’s a juicy orange, that’s even better. It sweetens without sugar.

8 cups cold water: The base. Filtered if you can, though I won’t judge if it’s straight from the tap.

Ice cubes, optional: If you’re serving this right away, ice keeps things cool and crisp. But skip it for long-term fridge storage.

Fresh mint leaves, optional: Totally optional, but mint gives it a clean aroma that plays well with citrus. Sometimes I throw in basil for a twist.

4) How to Make Citrus Infused Water

Step 1. Rinse the citrus fruit thoroughly. You don’t want waxy peel or store grime swimming in your fancy water.

Step 2. Slice the lemon, lime, and orange into thin rounds. The thinner the better—they infuse faster and look prettier.

Step 3. Drop the slices into a large pitcher. I like to layer them like a citrus rainbow, but you do you.

Step 4. Pour in the cold water. Use filtered if you have it. Stir gently to spread the citrus love.

Step 5. Cover and place the pitcher in the fridge. Give it at least 2 hours. Longer if you like bold flavors. I usually forget it overnight, which works great too.

Step 6. Right before serving, toss in some ice cubes and mint leaves if you’re feeling fancy. Pour. Sip. Smile. Repeat.

5) Tips for Making Citrus Infused Water

Use ripe fruit. The fresher and juicier your citrus, the better your water will taste. Old, dull fruit just makes dull water. Trust me on this one.

Don’t skip the wait time. That two-hour chill in the fridge isn’t just for looks. It gives the flavors time to mingle. You’ll notice the difference, especially with Drinks and Smoothie Recipes like this.

Get creative with extras. Want to switch it up? Add cucumber slices, a splash of cranberry juice, or even a stick of cinnamon. One of my readers once added jalapeño slices. Brave soul. Said it was amazing. I’ll take their word for it.

6) Making Citrus Infused Water Ahead of Time

This is one of those Easy Smoothie Recipes that asks very little but gives a lot. You can make it the night before and it only gets better by morning. The citrus continues to infuse and you end up with a stronger, fuller flavor.

If you prep it in advance, skip the ice until you serve it. Ice melts and waters things down. You want bold, not blah. I usually make a batch after dinner so I have something fresh the next day.

I keep it in a glass pitcher in the fridge. That way, I get to feel like a fancy spa guest while I’m stumbling to the kitchen half-asleep.

7) Storing Leftover Citrus Infused Water

Leftovers? Yep, it’s water, but it does hold up. Store it in the fridge and drink it within two days for the best taste. After that, the fruit gets a little tired and the flavor turns bitter.

Remove the fruit after the first day if you want a milder flavor or plan to keep it longer. The oils from the rinds keep working and might overpower the water if you leave them in too long.

I like to strain the water into a clean jar and refill the pitcher with new slices every other day. That way, I always have something fresh and light on hand—something that fits the Drinks and Smoothie Recipes groove we’ve got going at Healthy Living Mindset.

8) Try these Drinks next!

9) Citrus Infused Water