How to make lemon water that is refreshing and hydrating in 2 minutes using a fresh lemon or bottled lemon juice. Drink this zero-sugar drink warm or cold in the morning to boost immunity and energy.
Learning how to make lemon water is easy, and worthwhile given the benefits it can bring to your system. Some of the sweeping claims are exaggerated, but there are several important benefits that do have scientific backing.
The best time to drink lemon water is in the morning on an empty stomach so there is faster intestinal absorption of the water and benefits. Like my celery juice recipe, and cucumber lemon juice, drinking lemon water in the morning gives me a burst of energy.
Jump to:
Why You'll Love This
General Health benefits. Lemon water, hot or cold, adds vitamin C and antioxidants which boost your immune system and digestion. In addition, the drink has zero calories and zero sugar.
Drink warm lemon water. Drinking warm lemon water is absorbed more quickly and thoroughly into your cells so you reap faster and more benefits.
Drink cold lemon water. Drinking cold lemon water is a good way to wake up. The cold temperature and high levels of vitamin C combine to serve as a stimulant to the brain.
Ingredients
Lemon juice. Freshly squeezed juice is recommended for optimum nutritional benefit. If you buy bottled juice, look for organic and one that has only lemon in the ingredient list.
Water. Filtered or bottled is best to keep this drink optimum quality.
Salt. A pinch of salt is essential here to contribute electrolytes in this healthy drink.
See the recipe card at the bottom for full information on ingredients and quantities.
How to Make Lemon Water
Here are general steps to make hot or cold lemon water. For detailed measurements see recipe card below.
Step 1. Juice a lemon. First roll it on the counter under your hand to crush peel, microwave the lemon for 15 seconds, and juice lemon to gather juice. Or measure juice from a bottle of lemon juice.
Step 2. Add the juice to either warm or cold water.
Step 3. Drink or adjust the temperature.
👉Want to Save This Recipe?
Enter your email below and we'll send the recipe straight to your inbox.
Recipe Tips
Boost the vitamin C. Add some lemon peel to boost vitamin C.
Grate some peel and add to your water. Adding the peel is supports weight loss as the soluble pectin fiber in lemon helps you feel full longer.
9 Benefits of Lemon Water
- Boosts hydration [source]
- Improves skin [source]
- Triggers weight loss [source]
- Fights germs that cause cavities [source]
- Aids digestion and prevents kidney stones [source]
- Balances acidity upon morning wake up [source]
- Restores electrolytes as a great recovery drink after exercise [source]
- The drink also flushes the liver, and reduces pain in joints [source]
- Lemon water boosts the immune system. [source]
Warm Lemon Water is Best
While cold lemon water is energizing and refreshing, science says the bioavailability of lemon water's nutritional benefits is higher when the lemon water is warm. [source]
Variations
Add lemon water to other drinks. Use fresh lemon water to make wellness shots and ginger shots. Both types boost immunity, provide a burst of energy, have anti-aging effects and more.
Add fruit to your lemon water. Flavor your lemon water with fruit. Similar to my homemade pear lemonade, add blended pear to sweeten lemon water or use lemon water instead of plain water in my detox water recipes.
Flavor your lemon water. Also feel free to experiment with your lemon water, and add in some mint leaves making a lemon mint water, or sweeten with honey or maple syrup. You can even add in cucumbers to turn it into cucumber water or cucumber lemon water.
FAQS
Yes, lemon water can erode teeth enamel, cause heart burn, trigger ulcers and even migraines for those prone to them
Experts suggest drinking only 1 glass a day to not imbalance your stomach acid.
Basically, lemon water, cold or warm, creates an alkaline pH in your body that makes it hard for virus and bacteria to thrive.
Other Detox & Lemon Drinks
If you tried this recipe or any other recipe on my website, please leave a 🌟 star rating and let me know how it went in the 📝 comments below. Thanks for visiting!
📖 Recipe
How to Make Lemon Water (cold or warm)
Ingredients
Cold lemon water
- 1 cup (8 ounces) cold water
- 2 tablespoon lemon juice*
Warm lemon water
- 1 cup (8 ounces) warm water
- 2 tablespoon lemon juice*
Optional
- 1 teaspoon lemon peel, grated
👉Want to Save This Recipe?
Enter your email below and we'll send the recipe straight to your inbox.
Instructions
Cold lemon water
- Add chilled water to a glass.1 cup (8 ounces) cold water
- Add 2 tablespoon of lemon juice either from a bottle of juice or a juiced fresh lemon.2 tablespoon lemon juice*
Warm or hot lemon water
- Add warm water to a glass. Either warm water by zapping it in the microwave for 60 seconds, or use water warmed in a pot on the stove.1 cup (8 ounces) warm water
- Add 2 tablespoon of lemon juice either from a bottle of juice or a juiced fresh lemon.2 tablespoon lemon juice*
Optional
- To either drink, consider adding ½ teaspoon of fresh lemon peel, grated or chopped. Blend briefly and drink as is for added benefits.1 teaspoon lemon peel, grated
Henry K. says
I like how drinking lemon juice can help you keep your electrolytes up.
Dee Dine says
Yes, agreed!
Kate says
Is it okay for the lemon to stay in my tumbler for 24 hrs.? , Also when to change the lemon in the water, or is there a specific hours should the lemon stay in the water.
Dee Dine says
Hi Kate. In both my cold lemon water and hot lemon water recipes, I call for fresh lemon juice to be added to water, not the whole lemon slice. However, if you want to make infused lemon water, and float your lemon slices in your water, then the lemon slice should be replaced every 24 hours. It can last longer if the water is constantly refrigerated, but if it is in your tumbler and at room temperature, def replace the slice every day.
Mary says
I want to start drinking lemon water, I’m a big coffee drinker ( decaf) at least 2 to 3 cups in morning! Should I drink Lemon Water on an empty stomach before coffee or is it ok to drink after coffee? Thank you. Mary
Dee Dine says
Hi Mary, definitely drink your lemon water first, as soon as you wake up. Your body is most acidic at that point from sleep, and the lemon water will bring you down to basic. Coffee is acidic so def drink that after your lemon water detox! Hope that helps.