Looking for a healthy drink that’s easy to whip up? This lemon water recipe is oh so refreshing, with 0 calories and no sugar.

Lemon water is taking the world by storm, trending due to the purported health benefits. But the primary reason to drink this infused water? It tastes that good. If you’re looking for a healthy drink that’s easy to make, this recipe is where it’s at. We love whipping up a pitcher of lemon water to help us kick our sugary drink addiction (or cucumber water, mint water, or lime mint water…). It’s a fantastic substitute for soda! Keep reading for how to make it.

How to make lemon water

So, why follow a recipe for lemon water? If you’re simply looking to drink a glass of citrus water, of course there’s no need: you can totally wing it! However, this recipe is for a large pitcher, which is perfect for entertaining and provides just the right ratio of citrus to water.

How much lemon should you put in your water? 1 lemon to 8 cups water. This recipe makes for 8 cups of water at a time, perfect for parties or for storing in the refrigerator and sipping on all day long.

Here’s how to make lemon water:

Thinly slice a lemon and place it in the bottom of a large pitcher.
Using a wooden spoon, lightly mash the lemon to release its juices.
Add 8 cups cold water and refrigerate at least 1 hour before serving.

Cheater tip: The flavor is actually pretty lemony immediately. If you’re in a pinch, feel free to drink right away!

Cucumbers in pitcher — Cucumber lemon water is another fun variation: just add slices from ½ cucumber

What are the benefits of drinking lemon water?

Does drinking lemon water make you lose weight? Does it help in digestion, or prevent illness? There are lots of sources that claim health benefits, but some of them can become exaggerated. Here’s a Reader’s Digest article with a summary of the health benefits: 12 Benefits of Drinking Lemon Water.

We’re not health professionals, so Alex and my main rationale for drinking it is simple: drinking water is fantastic for your body! And the hint of citrus makes it taste so, so refreshing.

What are the side effects of drinking lemon water?

Repeated exposure to your teeth of acids like lemon juice and lime juice over time can start to erode the enamel on your teeth. If you drink citrus water occasionally, this should not be a problem. But if you drink it daily, you may want to consider drinking it through a straw so it doesn’t touch your teeth. Or, try decreasing the amount of lemon in this recipe by half.

Does the flavor of lemon water improve over time?

Yes, but to a point! This recipe calls for letting the water sit in the refrigerator for 1 hour, which intensifies the tangy flavor. The flavor also intensifies over the next few hours. We’d suggest drinking it within about 1 day though; because after a few days, the water can become bitter. All the more reason to drink lots of water!

Looking for more fancy water recipes?

If you like this recipe, here are a few other infused water recipes you might enjoy!

This lemon water recipe is…

Vegetarian, vegan, plant-based, dairy-free, gluten-free, naturally sweet, and refined sugar free.