In warmer months, drinking enough water is especially important for protecting both your health and your natural glow. As temperatures rise, you lose more water through sweat and breathing, so it's essential to top up your intake to replace what your body loses. It's easy to reach for sugary, high-calorie drinks to cool down and let water slip — but those drinks don't truly quench your thirst in the short term, and over time they can undermine your health and lead to weight gain. Remember: nothing replaces water. Choosing water is always healthier than reaching for other drinks, though we know that can sometimes feel like a challenge. So here are 5 healthy recipes to make hydration fun by giving your water a flavourful lift. Try them to ease your pull toward other drinks and let these refreshing sips look after your health and your glow.
1. Cucumber Water
Cucumber makes an effective, refreshing drink for your beauty and your body. Easy to enjoy and pleasantly mild, it's also high in vitamins A, C, B6 and folic acid. Simple to prepare, you can sip it any time of day to quench your thirst and support your skin.
Ingredients: 1 large cucumber (thinly sliced), 2 litres of water
Method: Add the cucumber and water to a large jug, let it rest for at least 1 hour, then serve.
2. Agua Fresca (Sweet Water)
Widely enjoyed in Mexico, this drink brings a little joy to your water intake.
Ingredients: 4 cups cold water, 2 cups of your favourite berries (raspberries, blackberries, blueberries), 2 teaspoons freshly squeezed lime juice, lime slices
Method: Blend the water and berries, then strain through a fine sieve into a jug. Add the lime juice and lime slices, and serve.
3. Minty Rooibos Tea
Rooibos tea is high in flavonoids and antioxidants, so this drink helps protect your youthfulness and glow for beautiful skin. It also helps balance blood sugar, making it easier to say no to sweets. With mint leaves and lemon slices, it's the perfect time to meet a refreshing detox drink.
Ingredients: 6 rooibos tea bags, 1 lemon (sliced), fresh mint leaves, 3.5 litres boiling water
Method: Add the rooibos tea bags, lemon slices and fresh mint leaves to boiling water and let it cool, stirring occasionally. Remove the tea bags, pour into a jug and refrigerate. Serve over ice.
4. Basil Lemonade
Lemon is high in vitamin C, helps increase alkalinity in the body, and supports its natural cleansing. Basil adds a refreshing note to this sugar-free drink.
Ingredients: ½ cup freshly squeezed lemon juice, 4 cups cold water, 1 cup fresh basil leaves
Method: Tear the basil leaves and place them in the bottom of a jug. Add the lemon juice and water, stir, and serve over ice.
5. Coriander, Jalapeño and Lime Water
Coriander brings an antioxidant, detoxifying effect, while jalapeño helps give your metabolism a lift. Lime's high vitamin C content helps your skin glow with health.
Ingredients: 4½ cups water, 1 cup coriander (washed and chopped), 2 large jalapeños (seeded and sliced), 1½ cups fresh lime slices, extra lime slices to serve
Method: Place the coriander and jalapeño in a suitable container, pour over the water, and let it rest at room temperature for 30 minutes. Cover and refrigerate for 3–4 hours. Strain into a jug, add the lime, stir, and serve with lime slices.
Little Tips to Keep Your Body Hydrated
Especially in warm weather, drinking enough water is key to flushing toxins from your body. Follow these small tips to stay hydrated and open the door to health and beauty:
- Drinking water 30–60 minutes before meals increases the stomach fluid needed to digest food.
- Choose water over fizzy, sugary, chemical-laden drinks when you want to cool down.
- Make sure to increase your water intake when you're physically active.
- You also need to replace the electrolytes lost along with water — mineral water and coconut water can help here.
- Urine colour is a good indicator of hydration. If it edges toward an amber shade, your intake may have dropped and it's time to drink more.
- Drinks high in alcohol and caffeine cause your body to lose more water, so when you have them, make sure your water intake is enough.