Have you ever tried Orange Water? It may sound simple (because it is!), but adding sliced oranges and a hint of vanilla to a big pitcher of water makes staying hydrated even easier. It’s perfect for a summer party!
We have my sister-in-law to thank for this recipe, because she served this at my baby shower, and I haven’t been able to stop thinking about it.
It’s the perfect non-alcoholic drink for entertaining, with no added sugar. Everyone loves it!
Benefits of Oranges
Is orange water good for you? Here’s what you’ll love about adding oranges to your water.
- Even without the fiber, orange juice may help to lower blood pressure.
- Oranges are a source of citric acid, and as a result, orange juice may help to prevent the formation of kidney stones.
- Vitamin C and citric acid (both found in oranges) have been shown to improve iron absorption.
- Orange peel contains a compound called limonene, which may have a protective effect on the skin.
How to Make It
- Start with water. Add fresh filtered water to a pitcher that can hold 2 liters (or 8 cups).
- Slice the fruit. Slice the oranges into pieces that will fit into the mouth of your pitcher, about 1/4-inch thick, and then slice them in half to make them fit in my serving pitcher. You can slice them even smaller, into quarters, if your pitcher has a more narrow spout. You don’t want to make it difficult on yourself to remove the orange slices later, and I like it when a few slices pour into the glass!
- Let it rest. Once you’ve added the orange slices and vanilla to the water, let it sit for 2 to 4 hours in the fridge.
- Enjoy! Serve it over ice and with extra orange slices, if you want it to look extra-pretty. I sometimes like to add a fresh basil leaf, too.
Make-Ahead & Storage Tips
You can make orange-infused water up to 2 days in advance, and store in an airtight container in the fridge. I don’t recommend storing it for more than 36 hours, as the water may become too bitter from the orange peels.
More Healthy Drinks to Try
- Fresh Basil Lemonade
- Watermelon Juice
- Cinnamon Tea
- Ginger Tea
- Beet Juice
- Elderberry Tea
- Rosemary Tea (try it iced!)
Orange Infused Water
Ingredients
- 8 cups filtered water (2 liters)
- 1 orange , sliced
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract (optional)
Instructions
- Fill a pitcher with 8 cups of water and slice the orange into pieces roughly a 1/4-inch thick. Cut them in half, or in quarters, depending on how large the mouth of your pitcher is. (You want them to be easily removed later for cleaning!)
- Add the vanilla and orange slices to the water, stir well, and let the flavors meld together for 2 to 4 hours in the fridge before serving. Serve chilled, and store any leftovers in the fridge for up to 3 days.
I LOVE these flavored waters. I drink way more water now. I take off the rind of the fruit so it doesn’t taste bitter then put it in over night then strain out all the fruit and put it back into my frig. I find that if I leave the fruit in for a long period of time it just gets too bitter for me.
Thanks for the tip:)
would this be good if you blended it all up then ran it through a strainer and let it infuse?
Oh i need to try this! I just did a whole post on ways to drink more water. When i was pregnant i had crazy dizzy spells but hated drinking water, once i started adding fruit to my water i drank a ton and felt much better. So go figure- drinking water really is good for you! And can taste good!
I was in Hawaii a couple weeks ago and at the entrance of our hotel, they had a big pitcher of infused water each day and the benefits of the infusion ingredients. I fell in love!
They had one infusion of sliced lemon, lime, and orange (unbelievably refreshing) and another infusion of pineapple and vanilla bean. I was surprised at how good that combo was!
So no squeezing the fruit. Just slice and through in the water. Will this be sweet enough or would a small bit of honey be ok.
Would it be okay to use coconut water. My mom needs the extra electrolytes, but doesn’t like the taste of coconut water. Wondering if doing an infusion with it would be practical. Thanks
i do this all the time … try it with lemon … or mango … or well raspberry
all delicious anyway
WOW LOVE THIS SITE!!!! GETTING SUCH GOOD HEALTHY IDEAS!! PASSING THEM ALONG TOO….. I AM IN FLORIDA FOR THE SUMMER, NEVER BEEN HERE IN THE SUMMER….IT IS VERY HOT,,,, THIS WILL BE FUN TO TRY ALL OF THESE. I AM FROM VERMONT…I COULD USE SOME REFRESHING IDEAS FOR MOM AND I. THANKS A BUNCH:)
It’s very healthy I’ll drink it every week from now on
Hey Megan – random request!
Any chance you could change my blog name in your sidebar from “Almost Vegan” to “Chef Amber Shea”? Since I made the change last year, I’m trying to ‘clean up’ any old mentions of the AV name. 🙂 Thank ya!
P.S. Feel free to delete this comment afterward 🙂
P.P.S. I totally need to try infused waters like this! Yum!
Love the idea of oranges. I usually use mint & lime as it also helps aid digestion, but this looks like a great summer variation!
YUM! Being pregnant too any alternative to just plain water sounds so refreshing! I’ve been doing seltzer water and mango lemonade.
this sounds just wonderful and refreshing will be making it
This sounds so good, I have another to add to my list.
Orange and thyme sprigs are a different variation. I love the sound of this one though:)
Thanks for the tips!! Just bought a several pound bag of orange and was looking for some ideas on how to infuse it. Tried orange and ginger which was ok but not as good as the apple cinnamon one that I had tried before. Just happen to have a thyme plant and a vanilla bean so I will have to give these a shot! Thanks again!
Oh this is gorgeous, can’t wait to try!
I just started to do these flavored (infused) waters and it has been a Godsend cause I usually struggle to get hydrated daily. I normally do organic oranges, lemons or lime juice (I noticed my water turns bitter with lime skins), a sprig of mint or basil. I also like just ginger root, mint and cinnamon sticks.
I love infused water, but didn’t like placing slices from the fruit in my drinks. That is, until I learned how to clean them properly. Combine 1/2 part apple cider vinegar and 1/2 part water in a spray container. Spray your veggies & fruit thoroughly. Wait 5-10 minutes, then rub the skin with your hands to remove any vinegar residue. Rinse w/cold water, rub again, pat dry then eat! The vinegar kills the bacteria that lives in the crevices of veggies and fruits (greens, apples, tomatoes, grapes, lemons, oranges, limes, etc.
This is oh so good! It makes water taste almost creamy….like an orange creamsicle!
Im trying to be more health conscious, will I get any benefits from just using oranges?
We just put up a post that features and links to this recipe. Feel free to share on social!
Here’s the link: http://www.jusbyjulie.com/index.php/blog/fruit-infused-flavored-water-recipes/
hi could you kindly advise what could be done to give infused water a longer shelf life if i do not refrigerate
thank you
Pour the water into a thermos with ice.
For the orange and vanilla infused water: I only tasted the vanilla and water with this. I squirted a bit of lime juice into the water and now I get that citrus taste. Just a tip for anyone having the same setback as me
I really liked this Orange Infused Water a lot. It’s so refreshing and the addition of vanilla extract gave it a real nice flavor. Something I would love to see in your website is a recipe for making a refreshing BLENDER LIMEADE. I love limeade, especially when it’s made in a blender with the whole unpeeled lime; but it’s usually made with sugar, and I haven’t been able to figure out how to make it with a natural sweetener that won’t overpower the taste of the limes. But I’m sure you would be able to find a way to do it. 😉 Thanks, Megan, for all your great recipes! I love your website and own all of your recipe books.
I’ve drinking plenty water but putting orange slices with ice cubes game changer
This combination sounds incredible. I am just not sure how you add the vanilla. Do you use vanilla flavoring? If so about how much? Thank you!
Hi! This recipe calls for a 1/2 teaspoon of vanilla extract, so you can just add that in. Hope you enjoy it!