Smart Water Recipe

Wash and slice

Thoroughly wash the lemon, lime, orange, cucumber, and herbs. Halve the lemon and lime; slice thin half-moons from each half and then cut a few slices in halves if you want smaller pieces. Slice the orange into two thin rounds and then quarter one round. Thinly slice the cucumber into rounds about 2–3 mm thick. Gently clap the mint and basil leaves between your palms once to release their aroma.

In a 1-liter (or about 4-cup) pitcher, pour in the cold filtered water.

Add the prepared citrus slices (lemon, lime, and the quartered orange pieces) to the pitcher, followed by the cucumber slices.

Tear the mint leaves and optional basil leaves lightly and add them to the pitcher so they sit among the fruit and cucumber; do not bruise them vigorously—tearing releases aroma without bitter chlorophyll.

Add 1 teaspoon of honey or agave syrup and a pinch of fine sea salt. Stir gently for about 10–15 seconds to dissolve the sweetener and disperse the salt.

Add ice cubes to the pitcher if serving immediately, or refrigerate without ice to chill and concentrate flavor.

For best flavor, refrigerate the assembled water for at least 30 minutes; for stronger infusion, refrigerate 2–4 hours. If refrigerating, stir once before serving.

To serve, pour into glasses and include some fruit/cucumber slices and a sprig of mint in each glass. Taste and adjust: add more honey (½ tsp increments) if sweeter water is desired, or a few more cucumber slices for a milder flavor.

Keeps covered in the refrigerator for up to 48 hours. After 48 hours, fruit will begin to break down and the flavor may become bitter. Drink chilled. If you prefer no sweetener, omit the honey/agave and add a little more citrus for brightness.