Lemon Infused Water
A classic summertime staple, lemon water is the easiest and most refreshing infused water to make in a large beverage dispenser. The lemons stay intact and do not become clogged in the dispenser’s spigot, plus they release their flavor almost immediately. Add ice and you’ve created “nature’s lemonade.”
Recipe for a 2.5 gallon beverage dispenser: 1-2 organic lemons, sliced + purified water + 2-4 cups of ice.
If serving outside in hot weather, add fresh ice every 1-2 hours. The infusion will lose flavor every time you add more water and ice, so be sure to replace your lemon slices every other time you fill the dispenser.
Are you making this in a 32 Ball jar? If you appreciate a lot of tangy flavor, use a half of lemon. Otherwise, just use a couple of slices. If you find that the flavor is too bitter, cut the lemon rinds off before infusing.
Did you know that lemons are both a weight loss aid and liver cleanser? Lemons (and limes) also contain the least amount of sugar of any fruit, so add them without guilt to your water recipes.
Rebecca May 16, 2014 at 11:08 am
How much lemon would you recommend using for a 32 oz. jar?
Amy Pogue May 19, 2014 at 2:17 pm
Great question. It really depends on how much you like the taste of lemon. Personally, it is my favorite fruit, so I cut the rind off an entire lemon, slice it, and put infuse it in a 32 oz jar. If you don’t want to bother cutting the rind off, use half a lemon and only infuse for a couple of hours. And please check out my blog post on cutting off lemon rinds to avoid bitterness.
Karen Staub June 2, 2014 at 12:35 pm
I’m not understanding if i use ice or try to refrigerate? Do you let it sit out all day? If you use ice, do you add more during the day?
Amy Pogue July 1, 2014 at 1:41 pm
You can do either method. If you are serving a large container of lemon infused water, like the one pictured, then you can add ice throughout the day. If you are making lemon infused water for yourself at home, it’s fine to put the infused water in the fridge. Be sure to cut the rind off to avoid bitterness if you are infusing for a long time. Hope that helps!
Nur Fadhilah November 8, 2014 at 6:02 am
Can we prepare the lemon infused water a night before?
millie ann November 20, 2015 at 6:47 pm
yes.. it is much better if you fridge the lemon and water overnight. that’s what i do everyday..prepare it today and drink it yesterday. i have two 1 liter bottles of lemon and water. to be drink everyday
Michael November 15, 2014 at 4:34 am
is it bad if i put too much lemon? i used 2 lemons and put it in a 1.5 liters of water.
linus November 24, 2014 at 6:06 am
Hi, Amy is it ok let the sliced lemons infused for 2 weeks, given that you’re drinking and replenishing within that period?
Amy Pogue January 31, 2015 at 7:24 pm
So sorry for the late reply to your question. No, I would not use lemon slices for that long. My max would be 2-3 days. Most of us are accustomed to drinking fruit juices that last a long time, but infused waters are not like commercial fruit juices that are loaded with preservatives to extend their shelf life.
A good rule of thumb is to ask yourself: would I eat this slice of fruit if it was left in my fridge for 3 days, for 1 week, or for 2 weeks? Most often the answer will be no. Fruit disintegrates quickly, even when suspended in water. Lemon is naturally astringent and has a lot of staying power, but not more than 3 days before it starts to become susceptible to bacteria.
millie ann November 20, 2015 at 6:50 pm
letting your lemon stand for that long will taste bitter and will give you diarrhea just like what happened to me.. i let the infused water stand for 5 days and it gives me diarrhea learn from it.
Nathan Harris Sr. September 7, 2016 at 10:59 pm
How many lemons to make 1 gallon?
nicole January 23, 2015 at 12:47 pm
Hello. Thanks for this very informative article of yours. I just started using infused lemon last week and I just want to know the best ratio for lemon and water. Thanks!
Amy Pogue January 31, 2015 at 6:42 pm
It really depends on how tangy you like your water to be, but I tend to use a half to a whole lemon in a 32 ounce Ball jar. I also cut the rind off before infusing to reduce bitterness. If you are in a hurry, you can start with 2 lemon slices with the rinds on and see if you like the flavor.
Rolando February 2, 2015 at 5:25 pm
Recepi for a gallons worth?
Geri May 8, 2015 at 11:51 am
Do you have to infuse it. What do you use if you don’t have an infuser? Wanting to make very large quantity. Serving 15 people for Mothers Day.
Cathrine Casella May 1, 2015 at 6:27 pm
Is it okay if I put in warm / hot water ?
Mansi June 15, 2015 at 9:55 pm
Can i use normal or warm water
Geri May 8, 2015 at 11:53 am
Do you need to have a infuser. What can you use in place. Making large quantity for 15 people for Mothers Day. Receipe?
aris June 25, 2015 at 5:58 am
can you still eat the sliced lemons after it was used/infused for 3 days?
WANDA June 25, 2015 at 8:34 pm
I MADE A GALLON FOR MY OWN USE AND I PUT 4 LEMONS SLICED, WAS THAT TOO MANY LEMONS? IS THERE SUCH THING AS TOO MANY LEMONS? WHAT WOULD BE THE BEST WATER TO LEMON RATIO?
Ciara August 21, 2015 at 1:07 pm
I tried this recently and as a woman who finds it hard to take a full glass of any beverage a day I could not believe how much I wanted and enjoyed this!. I have to say I felt low in my mood also and after a day of drinking this I felt amazing I couldn’t recommend it enough for a pick me up and for once I’m not getting headaches daily for not drinking enough #win
Ginger October 18, 2015 at 4:24 pm
How many lemons/Limes for 2 liter container
Briana Browne December 30, 2015 at 7:50 pm
Planning to make this using an infuser bottle. How many hours do I have to let the lemon seep in the water before drinking it?
Jheize June 26, 2016 at 8:28 am
Good day, uhm kinda confused because you said in the FAQ section of your site, you can infuse the fruit in the water overnight but in the next paragraph you said to remove the fruit after four hours, is it possible to infuse the water without the fruit? Hmm
Husaini July 28, 2016 at 3:35 am
How about 1.5litre tumbler? How many lemons should i use?
Mayui February 8, 2018 at 8:41 pm
How long can I use the bottle of water with lemons without freezing
Randy Neville January 16, 2019 at 7:22 am
i was never good at these tests
Janryss March 26, 2021 at 7:37 am
How many 🍋 🍋 should i put in 1 gallon of water?
Will it still be okey to drink them for two days?
Thanks in advance