Star Spangled Fruit Infused Water ~ don’t save this patriotic thirst quencher for Memorial Day or the 4th of July ~ stay healthy and hydrated all summer long with this colorful fruit infused red white and blueberry water.
The problem with so many red white and blue themed foods is that they’re often filled with sugar, artificial colors, and processed ingredients — but it doesn’t have to be that way, my healthy no-sugar fruit infused water is naturally ‘patriotic’, and can stand in for sodas and punches throughout the summer months and beyond. The fruit gradually flavors the water and the longer it sits, the more flavor you’ll get. Luckily the iconic fruit of the season just happens to be perfectly suited to a ‘red white and blueberry’ theme!
I chose watermelon, strawberries, and blueberries for my water. You’ll need a seedless watermelon and a small star cookie cutter for the watermelon stars. I like to slice the end off the melon so it will be stable on my cutting surface, and then slice the whole thing in thin slices. If you’d like step by step instructions I show you how in this SUMMER MELON SALAD post. It’s just like cutting cookies, only it’s melon! Be sure to cut more than you think you’ll need because there will be lots of watermelon star snacking going on, trust me.
The fruit from the melon and the berries will infuse into the water almost immediately, and will get stronger the longer it sits.
TIP: Don’t plan on assembling your Star Spangled Fruit Infused Water too far in advance or the fruit won’t look its best. An hour or two ahead is plenty.
I serve my water out of pretty large glass beverage dispensers. I use them all summer long because they’re so convenient for serving beverages to a crowd. They come in lots of shapes and sizes, and some even have metal stands to set them up higher. When you add colorful fruit to your water, lemonade, iced tea, or even a spiked punch, the dispenser becomes the centerpiece of your party. I use mine for serving my SUMMER PEACH AND BASIL SANGRIA, too.
TIP: Large glass dispensers make entertaining so much easier because all you do is fill them and forget them…and let your guests serve themselves.
The cool thing is, you can keep refilling the container with fresh water all day long, the fruit will continue to flavor it for hours! And you don’t have to stick to the fruit I’ve chosen, almost any type of fruit will work for this ~
- citrus fruits like orange and grapefruit
- apples
- peaches, plums
- raspberries
- pineapple
- kiwi
- honeydew or cantaloupe melon
- papaya and mango
Check out my HOW TO MAKE HEALTHY INFUSED WATER for lots of creative inspiration!
Star Spangled Fruit Infused Water
Ingredients
- 1 small seedless watermelon
- 1 pint blueberries
- 1 pint strawberries
Instructions
- Cut the ends off the watermelon and stand on a cutting surface. Slice it into thin slices.
- Use a small star cookie cutter to cut out stars.
- Slice the strawberries in half.
- Fill a large water dispenser or container with filtered water. Add the fruit and let sit for at least an hour before serving.
- Serve over ice with more fresh fruit in each glass.
Don’t forget to pin my Star Spangled Fruit Infused Water!
*This post first appeared on Super Healthy Kids, where I am an occasional contributor.
Super for having fun at a a BBQ!
Requesting more healthy& easy ideas for the BBQ for family get-togethers please. Have a LOT of company this summer and if I can’t BBQ it, it is NOT making it on the menu plan.
LOVE your blog!
Happy almost summer 🙂
That’s interesting Rose, I don’t do a lot of BBQ specific recipes. I do tons of pasta and potato salad type things for sides, but I need to up my grill game. So glad you love the blog, that means so much to me, thanks!!
What a creative idea and makes such a beautiful addition to a holiday table. Love it!
Such a great idea! I have a maple leaf cutter, so I’m thinking I could do an awesome Canadian version for Canada’s 150th July 1 🙂
Great idea!
A fantastic fruity water for the hot summer days!
Do you dream of food, Sue? lol. From the moment I stepped into your blogging world so many years ago, you surprised me with you creativity and out of the box ideas. And you still do!
This is such a fun treat for summer and I can taste the yummy flavors now!
So darn pretty! And a friend just bought me a little star cutter! I know just what todo with it!
Perfect timing!
Your patriotic fruit infused water is fabulous!!! Perfect way to cool down at those holiday gatherings. Now I wish we were having our annual 4th of July party this year—such a pretty presentation!
Coolest idea ever! Not just for kids either. I bet many adults would like the see these in their cocktails. I am one:)
I should do a spiked version, for sure 🙂
The kids would love to do this ~ I’m going to try next weekend, thanks Sue!
Oh Susan I love the idea of cutting the watermelon into stars – brilliant! I’ll have to remember that July 4th. Great idea! I love infused water, and even though I’m a huge fan of drinking it plain it certainly takes water to an entirely new level. Fun recipe!!!
Thanks Vicki! Watermelon is perfect for cutting into shapes because you’ve got such a lot of flat surface area to work with 🙂