Health

8 Warm Water Drinks to Help You Reach Your Water Goals

JANUARY 21, 2021

Struggling to hit your hydration goals? Don’t worry; we’ve all been there. Getting to the bottom of your water bottle will feel harder on some days than others, especially when you’re trying to reach the 9 cups a day for women or 13 cups a day for men that the National Academy of Medicine recommends.¹ That’s a lot of water—especially in the winter when you may not feel as thirsty.²

Luckily, plain water isn’t the only drink that counts toward your daily water intake.³ There are plenty of ways to mix up your cup while still staying hydrated. That’s why we’ve put together eight warm water drinks that are perfect for the winter months and will help you easily reach your water goals, almost as if by magic.

8 HOT DRINK RECIPES FROM PRIMO WATER

1. HOT WATER WITH LEMON

Adding a twist of lemon to a mug of hot water is a classic and super-easy way to add flavor without adding calories. It’s simple, refreshing and will warm you up on a cold winter day.

Recipe:

Add freshly squeezed lemon or lemon slices to taste to 1 cup of hot water

2. GREEN TEA

Green tea has enough caffeine to give you a boost but not enough to give you the jitters. And, like all teas, it’s almost entirely water, so it’ll bump up your daily cup count.

Recipe:

Steep your favorite green tea, loose or bagged, in 1 cup of hot water for 2-3 minutes
Add your own flavors, like freshly squeezed lemon, honey or dried fruit

3. FRESH MINT TEA

The refreshing flavor and aroma of mint are perfect when you want a stimulating drink to help you stay focused on work. It’s easy to make yourself and completely caffeine-free.

Recipe:

Steep 8-10 fresh mint leaves (peppermint, spearmint or other variety) in 1 cup boiling water for 3-5 minutes
Strain into a mug
Add sugar, honey, lemon or additional mint leaf garnish to taste

4. HOMEMADE GINGER TEA

Although traditionally made as a home remedy for nausea, ginger tea is a warming, spicy drink that can be enjoyed anytime. It’s especially tasty as an after-dinner drink or served with spiced desserts like carrot cake or apple pie.

Recipe:

Peel and slice 2 tbsp (about 2 inches) of fresh ginger root
Boil ginger in 4 cups of water for 10 minutes or longer for stronger flavored tea
Strain, then store and refrigerate any extra tea
Add lime juice and/or honey to taste

5. CHAI TEA LATTE

Achai tea latte is a great, low-calorie substitute for your usual morning mocha or flavored latte. It will still give you a kick of caffeine but with less sugar and a little more spice.

Recipe:

Steep 2 bags of your favorite chai tea (or plain black tea) in a pot with 1 cup of boiling water for 5 minutes
If you use plain black tea, add 1 tsp ground cinnamon, ½ tsp ground ginger and ¼ tsp allspice
Optionally stir in sugar to taste
Remove tea bags
Add 1 cup milk (any kind) and stir over heat until hot but not boiling
Strain through a fine sieve into a mug and top with a sprinkle of ground cinnamon

6. MEDICINE BALL TEA

Medicine Ball tea is the perfect pick-me-up drink. Whether you have a case of the sniffles or are just having a sour day, this warm, citrus-mint tea will soothe your soul.

Recipe:

Steep 1 bag of your favorite mint tea and 1 bag of your favorite herbal tea (we recommend flavors like peach, strawberry or lemon) in 2 cups of boiling water for 3-5 minutes
Add 1 tbsp of lemon juice or more to taste
Add 2 tbsp of honey or more to taste

7. LONDON FOG

A stormy name for a stormy-day drink. This creamy, full-bodied tea latte will make you want to curl up with a good book on a rainy day.

Recipe:

Steep 2 bags of Earl Grey tea and ½ tsp of dried lavender in a pot with 1 cup of boiling water for 3 minutes
Remove tea bags
Stir in ½ cup milk (any kind) and stir over heat until hot but not boiling
Strain into a mug and optionally add sugar to taste

8. DREAMY HONEY MILK TEA

This sweet, sleepy-time drink will help you cozy up and unwind in the evenings after a long, stressful day.

Recipe:

Steep 2 bags of chamomile tea in a pot with 1 cup boiling water for 10 minutes
Remove tea bags
Stir in ½ cup milk (any kind) and stir over heat until hot but not boiling
Stir in 1 tbsp honey or more to taste
Pour into a mug and top with whipped cream and/or ground cinnamon as desired

MORE WAYS TO DO YOU IN ‘22

There are so many ways to fill up your cup, so why limit yourself? Give all of these recipes a try, or make your own variations with great-tasting Primo ^® Water and the help of a convenient Primo ^® Water dispenser. How will you Do You in ‘22?

¹Harvard University. (2021, July 6). Water. The Nutrition Source. Retrieved from https://www.hsph.harvard.edu/nutritionsource/water/

²Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research. (2019, June 29). Winter Fitness: Safety Tips for Exercising Outdoors. Mayo Clinic. Retrieved from https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/fitness/in-depth/fitness/art-20045626

³Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research. (2020, October 14). How Much Water Do You Need to Stay Healthy? Mayo Clinic. Retrieved from https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/nutrition-and-healthy-eating/in-depth/water/art-20044256