Loaded Water

On a hot day, nothing feels better than an ice-cold drink that actually works to quench my thirst and this flavor-packed loaded water is my new fave. It's a delicious, naturally flavored way to stay hydrated with fresh ingredients. I love that I can make this at home, without breaking the bank and it's as beautiful and colorful as it is refreshing. You can even add to it! Try a few slices of cucumber, mint, ginger and lemon to make it taste like a sip straight from the spa.

I love it as a summertime pick-me-up or a quick post-recovery workout drink. It's infused with electrolytes from the coconut water, a pinch of sea salt and juicy produce in ice. It's so good for energy and hydration levels and I feel great after a glass. Think of it as a fun and fresh upgrade to regular plain water. This is also a great drink if you want to include more hydration in your diet, but don't like the flavor of straight-up water.

For more hydrating drink ideas, try my Iced Blueberry Matcha or my Watermelon Slushie with a little lime. While you're here, read more about my Wellness Journey.

What is Loaded Water?

Loaded water is water that's been boosted with fruits, herbs, spices or other nutrient-rich add-ins.

It's designed to make hydration more flavorful while adding vitamins, minerals and antioxidants. Think of it as a healthy, refreshing upgrade to plain water.

Why You'll Love This Recipe

I love how incredibly hydrating loaded water is. It's packed with coconut water, lemon and fresh fruits to replenish fluids.

It has zero artificial additives or flavors. It's just pure, fresh ingredients. It's also perfect for kids as an alternative to store bought drinks and juices.

Fruit ice cubes make every glass look beautiful. Serve this to friends or in a pitcher on the table.

Perfect for post-workout recovery or hot summer days. The sea salt will give you a boost of electrolytes and minerals.

Enjoy a spa-style drink at home without stepping into a spa! I love this for a little at-home self-care moment.

You can easily play around with this loaded water recipe. Mix and match fruits, herbs and spices for fun flavor combos.

It's ice-cold, crisp and flavor-packed. You're going to become addicted to sipping on this homemade drink.

Equipment Needed

I used a glass and a straw. That's it!

Ingredients Needed

Fruit ice cubes: I made my own homemade version for this recipe.

Lemon: I used this juice 1/2 a lemon in this loaded water recipe. You could also use fresh lime juice.

Coconut water: Aside from the delicious flavor, coconut water is super hydrating and thirst-quenching.

Sea salt: Adding sea salt is a great way to naturally add electrolytes to this loaded water.

Honey: I love a little good quality honey in mine. You could also use maple syrup, especially if you want a vegan version.

Apothekary tincture: I like to add it for a little wellness support but it's totally optional. Use my code LAUREN15 to get a discount on your order!

Step By Step Instructions

Step 1: Round up your ingredients.

Step 2: Mix all your ingredients in a glass, stir and enjoy! 

Storage

You can combine all the ingredients except the ice cubes. Pre-mix everything and keep a batch in the refrigerator in a sealed container.

Once you're ready, add the fruit ice cubes to your loaded water and sip away! It's ideal to make it fresh each time, so that all the vitamins and minerals are at their best.

Variations

To make it more of a tropical version, use mango, pineapple and lychee in your fruit ice cubes. Use lime instead of lemon for this version.

You could also load it with more citrus like sliced lemon and grapefruit.

If you love a good spa-like experience, add in some fresh cucumber and mint and use a little chamomile tincture.

For an immunity-focused loaded water, mix in some fresh ginger and echinacea.

How To Serve 

This is pretty much an anytime sip but, here's how I like to enjoy mine:

• In a chilled glass on very hot days.
• Post workout as an easy refresher and pick me up. Or before...that works, too.
• At lunchtime, as a good-for-me beverage with my lunch.
• In place of a cocktail in the evenings.

Recipe FAQ

What to put in a loaded water?

Loaded water usually starts with a base like still, sparkling, or coconut water, then gets add ins like fresh fruit, herbs, citrus juice, natural sweeteners, mineral-rich salts and sometimes wellness tinctures.

What's the healthiest thing to put in water?

That depends on the person's specific needs, but in general, adding vitamin-rich ingredients like berries, lemon or kiwi fruit, along with a few electrolytes, is beneficial.

What are loaded waters?

Loaded waters are drinks designed to hydrate while giving the body extra benefits, like electrolytes, antioxidants and a boost of energy.

What foods are good to infuse in water?

Fresh fruits like berries and citrus for vitamins and antioxidants, coconut water for hydration and salt for electrolytes. Sweeten it up with natural sweeteners like honey and maple syrup.

Related Recipes

Be sure to try these fun drink ideas next:

Blueberry Vanilla Low Histamine Smoothie

Frose Recipe

Nature's Gatorade

Strawberry Cloud Smoothie

Matcha Milkshake

If you make this loaded water and love it, I would really appreciate a 5 star review! I also love seeing your creations so please tag me on Instagram or TikTok.