[PolkaDot]

I went crazy and purchased one of those pretty water dispensers from QVC. I've been filling it with ice water and it really does help me to remember to drink during this ridiculously hot weather. Yesterday I added sliced cucumber and really enjoyed the cucumber flavored and scented water all day. Next I want to try watermelon, then orange, lemon, lime, maybe peach, etc. This is such a nice, calorie free beverage! I like water anyway, but this makes it look even better.

Anyone have any other recommendations for a refreshing flavor?

Here's the container.

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[MariJ]

What a great idea, Dot and so pretty, too! How about lemon balm or mint? If I was closer to you - I have a lot growing in my garden.

[PolkaDot]

Oh, I love the idea of mint!!

I am not familiar with lemon balm, but it sounds wonderful....must look into that :-)

[diannecp]

Great idea! Yum. How about lime or someone already said, mint? I have seen recipes for blackberry sage and cucumber mint waters at finecooking.com. (search "water")

[PolkaDot]

diannecp, on 06 July 2012 - 08:28 PM, said:

Great idea! Yum. How about lime or someone already said, mint? I have seen recipes for blackberry sage and cucumber mint waters at finecooking.com. (search "water")

Thanks, Diane! I shall do that!

Isn't it funny that we can search for "water recipes?"

[A-M]

Lemon is good in water.
I like ginger cordial which is very refreshing and ginger is good healthwise. Just looked and here is a recipe for ginger water.

[PolkaDot]

I would not have thought of ginger, Anne Marie. It sounds good, too! Thanks!

[jenrou]

At the Botanical Gardens cafe they have a pretty water container with a spigot and they serve water with cucumber free to visitors. I don't like to drink water, but I do like the cucumber water. I wondered where to find one of those dispensers. Thanks! by the way lemon balm is great! I even use it like Basil in Italian dishes.

[Florida granny]

All of those sound delightful. I don't have anything to add, Dot, but I'm going to follow this thread for suggestions, too. I've had cucumber water at a spa, by the way, and I thought it tasted wonderful.

[PolkaDot]

jenrou, on 06 July 2012 - 09:14 PM, said:

At the Botanical Gardens cafe they have a pretty water container with a spigot and they serve water with cucumber free to visitors. I don't like to drink water, but I do like the cucumber water. I wondered where to find one of those dispensers. Thanks! by the way lemon balm is great! I even use it like Basil in Italian dishes.

Jean, this would be a great idea for you if you normally don't like to drink water. I am hoping to find a flavor which would convince DH to drink water. I don't think I have ever seen him drink it. When we were kids if we complained that we were thirsty Mom would say, "Go get a drink of water." It really developed a great habit. (When we complained that we were hungry she said, "Go eat an apple." If we said we were bored she said, "Go read a book." All advice which worked and stuck!)

As far as this dispenser, I really like it but don't think it is "kid friendly." It is glass, which is what I wanted, but the spigot is pretty fragile. I have been very careful when I dispense the water. I can see it breaking off very, very easily. My sister got a water dispenser at Williams Sonoma which is plastic but has a metal spigot. She doesn't like the look of it much but thinks it's practical. Now to find the best of both worlds. I haven't checked Amazon, but it's a thought.... HTH!

[PolkaDot]

Florida granny, on 06 July 2012 - 09:15 PM, said:

All of those sound delightful. I don't have anything to add, Dot, but I'm going to follow this thread for suggestions, too. I've had cucumber water at a spa, by the way, and I thought it tasted wonderful.

I am not kidding when I say that I couldn't stop drinking it yesterday!

Just back from the grocery store and bought some fresh mint. I am anxious to try that!

[Smiles]

It's beautiful, Dot!
Thanks for the recipe, Anne-Marie! I love ginger tea.

[Belle]

I don't like lemon water, it tastes like soap water to me. I'm going to try some of the other ideas though. Thanks ladies.

[Sara Arell]

What a delightful way to drink water from that pretty dispenser! I love the thought of seeing fresh lemons or limes or even orange slices floating in the ice water. Great idea, Dot - thanks for sharing it. I bet that does look really refreshing and inviting sitting in your kitchen! I think I'd like the mint in it too since I always add mint to our iced tea along with lemons.

[Becster]

What a great idea! Thanks for sharing!

[SodScrap]

jenrou, on 06 July 2012 - 09:14 PM, said:

At the Botanical Gardens cafe they have a pretty water container with a spigot and they serve water with cucumber free to visitors. I don't like to drink water, but I do like the cucumber water. I wondered where to find one of those dispensers. Thanks! by the way lemon balm is great! I even use it like Basil in Italian dishes.

Cucumber is on of my favorite flavors to add to water. I also add lime juice!

[jenrou]

The one at the Botanical Gardens is done by the catering group who has a contract there-so a restaurant supplier, maybe? It is a 2 or 3 gallon size but glass and metal, and very sturdy. I like the cucumber water, and tried to drink it several days, but ended up with a digestive distress. Too much acid?
I do tend to stick with decaff. tea so far.

[luckyladybug]

Pretty, pretty, pretty! I love it! Enjoy all those wonderful flavors--I might have to give this a try.

[Smiles]

How difficult is washing it? If you're changing strong flavors, or have anything organic in it during hot weather, you might need to be washing it frequently. I would be tempted to try throwing in some herbal teas - extra antioxidants as well as flavor. But then I'd want to be adding stevia and....

[CRS]

How cute!! I should look into getting one of those for my BFF. She drinks water non-stop and that would be cute for her!

[Sherry Lynn]

Love this thread! How about strawberries OR pineapple?

[PolkaDot]

Sherry Lynn, on 07 July 2012 - 01:58 PM, said:

Love this thread! How about strawberries OR pineapple?

OOOOOOHHHHHHH, yes! I had thought about pineapple and forgotten it, but hadn't thought of strawberry! YUM!!

[PolkaDot]

Smiles, on 07 July 2012 - 12:49 PM, said:

How difficult is washing it? If you're changing strong flavors, or have anything organic in it during hot weather, you might need to be washing it frequently. I would be tempted to try throwing in some herbal teas - extra antioxidants as well as flavor. But then I'd want to be adding stevia and....

It's glass and very easy to clean. The spigot removes easily, too. Plus, on this particular model, there is a rubber attachment which attaches on the back of the spigot, inside the container, to filter out any particles of fruits, etc. You can put it on or leave it off. There's a glass lid on the container, too. As I said, not necessarily kid friendy ;-) I can see this one tipping when using the spigot; I balance it with my other hand. Plus, that spigot would not last long with children.

I've been washing and drying it each night and keep it filled with ice during the day. The icemaker is close by and is getting a good workout!

[PolkaDot]

Belle, on 07 July 2012 - 12:59 AM, said:

I don't like lemon water, it tastes like soap water to me. I'm going to try some of the other ideas though. Thanks ladies.

I agree, Belle. I just made lemon water for my sister today. I don't really like it too much (although I love lemonade!) but my sister really liked it a lot!

[PolkaDot]

Sara Arell, on 07 July 2012 - 01:39 AM, said:

What a delightful way to drink water from that pretty dispenser! I love the thought of seeing fresh lemons or limes or even orange slices floating in the ice water. Great idea, Dot - thanks for sharing it. I bet that does look really refreshing and inviting sitting in your kitchen! I think I'd like the mint in it too since I always add mint to our iced tea along with lemons.

Got the mint and I'll think of you, Sara!

[CindyLuWho]

I vote for strawberries and/or mint. I've done both and loved the taste.

I am on a blueberry tea kick right now - I had some blueberry teabags from somewhere and decided to pair it with fresh mint from my garden. Oh wow, it's wonderfully refreshing!

I must admit, however, that I do add some sugar. I haven't tried it sans sugar, but I probably should. I don't like any of the fake sweeteners, altho I do have some stevia that it isn't too bad. I just don't like the twang that fake sweeteners give.

I enjoyed this thread! Lots of good ideas! Thanks for posting!

Cindy

[LenaLotta]

I like to put rhubarb in the water

[healthyscraps]

A friend once made me pomegranate and mint, it was beautiful.

[PolkaDot]

Ohhh, these sound yummy!

[satippetts]

Oh these ideas sound so great! I'm going to have to try it. My kids need to drink more water and maybe they'd be more apt to if it was flavored a little. I love the dispenser! I know if I could find one that was more sturdy just having it there for my kids to fill up with would definitely having them drink it more. Loved all the ideas you guys are throwing out!