Hydrogen-Infused Water With Fresh Fruit Extract

Hydrogen-infused water with fruit extract pairs chilled water made with a hydrogen-water generator or a sealed hydrogen-water product with a small amount of fresh fruit juice. It is a lightly flavored drink, best prepared just before serving; fruit adds aroma and taste, while the hydrogen content can diminish after opening or blending, so this recipe makes no health claims.

Ingredients

2 cups (475 ml) freshly prepared hydrogen-infused water, chilled, or 2 cups (475 ml) sealed hydrogen water opened just before use
¼ cup (60 ml) fresh orange juice, strained
1 tablespoon (15 ml) fresh lemon juice
4 thin cucumber slices, about 1 ounce (28 g)
4 fresh mint leaves, lightly bruised
1 teaspoon (5 ml) honey, optional
½ cup (70 g) ice, optional

Instructions

Wash the orange, lemon, cucumber and mint under clean running water. Cut the citrus and cucumber with a clean knife on a clean cutting board. Squeeze the orange and lemon, then strain the juice to remove seeds and most of the pulp.
If using a hydrogen-water generator, make the water according to its manufacturer’s directions and use it promptly. If using a sealed product, keep it chilled until you are ready to open it. Do not try to make hydrogen-infused water by adding baking soda, hydrogen peroxide or other household chemicals.
In a small glass, stir the orange juice, lemon juice and optional honey until the honey dissolves. Add a tablespoon of the prepared water if needed to loosen the honey. Keep stirring gentle; vigorous whisking or blending can release dissolved gas.
Divide the cucumber slices and mint between two clean glasses. Press the mint once or twice with the back of a spoon to release its fragrance, but do not crush it into a paste. Add ice if you want a colder drink.
Pour half the citrus mixture into each glass. Slowly top each with 1 cup (240 ml) hydrogen-infused water, pouring close to the side of the glass to limit fizzing and gas loss. Give each glass just one slow stir and serve immediately.

Tips

Keep the water plain until serving. Mix the fruit juice in a separate glass first, then add the hydrogen water last. Opening, transferring, shaking or vigorously stirring can cause dissolved hydrogen to escape; use the drink soon after preparation rather than expecting it to retain the same amount over time.
Choose a suitable water source. Follow the generator’s instructions and use water it is designed for. If buying sealed hydrogen water, check the package directions and use it before its stated date. Ordinary sparkling water adds carbonation but is not a substitute for hydrogen-infused water.
Adjust the flavor, not the method. For a sweeter drink, add up to another teaspoon (5 ml) of honey per serving. For a sharper taste, add lemon a teaspoon (5 ml) at a time. Avoid adding lots of juice or sweetener at once; a small amount lets the water remain the main ingredient.
Keep fruit clean and equipment clean. Wash produce and rinse reusable generator parts as directed by the manufacturer. Discard fruit or water that has been left at room temperature for more than 2 hours; use a 1-hour limit when the temperature is above 90°F (32°C).

Serving Suggestions

Serve in small, chilled glasses alongside lunch, a snack or a meal with bright citrus flavors. It works well with simple sandwiches, salads, grilled vegetables or mild seafood, but it is also pleasant on its own. For a neat presentation, add a fresh mint leaf and one thin cucumber slice to each glass. If serving a group, prepare the juice and garnishes ahead, then open or make the hydrogen water only when guests are ready to drink.

This recipe is deliberately lightly sweetened. Taste the citrus mixture before pouring, since oranges vary in sweetness and lemons vary in acidity. Offer honey separately if different guests prefer different levels of sweetness. If using ice, serve promptly: melting ice will dilute the fruit flavor, and stirring repeatedly can make the drink lose its light, freshly prepared character.

Variations

Berry and lime: Replace orange juice with ¼ cup (60 ml) mashed, strained strawberries or raspberries and replace lemon juice with 1 tablespoon (15 ml) lime juice. Straining removes seeds and pulp for a smoother drink.
Ginger citrus: Stir ½ teaspoon (2 g) finely grated fresh ginger into the citrus juice, then strain if you prefer a smooth texture. Ginger makes the flavor warmer and more pungent; start small and add more only after tasting.
Herb-free cucumber: Omit the mint and use 6 cucumber slices (about 1½ ounces/42 g). The result is milder and less aromatic. You can also replace cucumber with two thin slices of peeled pear.
Unsweetened: Leave out the honey. If the citrus tastes too sharp, reduce the lemon juice to 2 teaspoons (10 ml) rather than adding a large amount of sweetener.

Storage and Reheating

This is a drink to make and serve fresh, not a batch beverage for long storage. For the best flavor and to limit loss of dissolved hydrogen, combine the juice and hydrogen water immediately before drinking. Do not store the finished drink in a sealed bottle or assume it will retain its original properties. If you have leftovers, cover and refrigerate them within 2 hours, then use within 24 hours for flavor and quality; remove the fruit first if practical. Discard any drink left at room temperature beyond 2 hours, or beyond 1 hour in temperatures above 90°F (32°C). Do not reheat.

You may prepare the citrus juice up to 24 hours ahead and keep it covered in the refrigerator at 40°F (4°C) or below. Keep cut fruit and herbs refrigerated as well, and add them to clean glasses only when serving. Follow the shorter package directions if your water product specifies a different handling time. This recipe is not intended for canning or room-temperature storage.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I make this with ordinary water?
Yes. The orange, lemon, cucumber and mint make a refreshing fruit-flavored water with ordinary chilled drinking water. It will not be hydrogen-infused, but the preparation and proportions are otherwise the same.

Can I use bottled fruit juice?
Yes. Use ¼ cup (60 ml) unsweetened orange juice and 1 tablespoon (15 ml) lemon juice, checking the label for added sugar. Fresh juice usually tastes brighter, while bottled juice can be more consistent and convenient.

Does fruit juice preserve hydrogen in the water?
This recipe does not rely on fruit to preserve hydrogen. Dissolved hydrogen can escape after the water is made or its container is opened, so prepare the drink gently and serve promptly. Avoid claims that the fruit or drink provides a medical benefit.

Can I prepare a pitcher in advance?
You can mix the citrus juice and refrigerate it separately, but wait to make or open the hydrogen water until serving. A pitcher of finished drink will be exposed to more air and is less likely to keep its freshly prepared character.

What if I do not have a hydrogen-water generator?
Use a sealed, commercially prepared hydrogen-water product if you specifically want that ingredient, following its label directions. Otherwise, make the recipe with regular still water; do not attempt to create hydrogen water by mixing chemicals or using an improvised reaction.

Can I use sparkling water instead?
Yes, if you want a fizzy fruit drink, but sparkling water is carbonated water and is not the same thing as hydrogen-infused water. Add it slowly just before serving because it may foam when combined with citrus juice.

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