INFUSED WATER: Refreshing summer drink recipes for garden parties or picnics

Estonian tap water is clean, tastes good, and is rich in minerals, making it the healthiest thirst quencher on a hot summer's day. Thanks to the limestone soil, our tap water is rich in calcium and magnesium. Laboratory tests on Tallinn’s tap water show that drinking two litres of tap water every day covers approximately 13% of your daily calcium needs, 5% of your magnesium needs and 1% of your sodium needs. Drinking water also contains potassium, manganese, zinc, and copper, which are essential for the body, albeit in significantly smaller amounts.

Adding seasonal ingredients to tap water is an easy way to make everyday drinking water more festive and flavourful. Food blogger Tuuli Mathisen shares three recipes for making eye-catching summer drinks from tap water, perfect for garden parties or picnics.

Refreshing cooler with watermelon and pomegranate seeds

Leave the ripe centre of the watermelon for eating, and use the part where the light pink pulp meets the light green rind to flavour your tap water. Peel away the dark green skin, use a potato peeler to slice thin strips from the rind, and place them in the jug.

Watermelon adds freshness and juiciness to the drink. Pomegranate seeds are a real eye-catcher in the jug, while a sprig of tarragon or thyme adds a lovely spicy note to the drink.

Pour tap water over the ingredients, then leave the drink to steep in the fridge. Add ice, if you like. Drink the water while it's fresh.

Ingredients:

• tap water
• strips peeled from the light green and pink part of the watermelon using a potato peeler
• a few sprigs of tarragon or thyme
• a few handfuls of pomegranate seeds
• ice, if you like

A midsummer classic with berries and mint

When the strawberries are ripe, the mint is lush and the blueberries in the woods have started to turn blue, it's time to capture these flavours of summer by making berry-infused water to serve at your next garden party. The sweetness of the strawberries, the freshness of the mint and the mild flavour of the blueberries come together to create the perfect midsummer blend.

Put the ingredients in a jug, top up with tap water and leave to steep in the fridge. Add ice, if you like. Drink the water while it's fresh.

Ingredients:

• tap water
• strawberries, sliced in half
• a handful of mint sprigs
• a few handfuls of blueberries
• ice, if you like

Tempting apricot with a pinch of raspberry

Ripe summer apricots are perfect for flavouring tap water. Add some raspberries from your own garden and a few sprigs of oregano or thyme, and you have a refreshing summer drink. You can also use peaches instead of apricots.

Put the ingredients in a jug, then top up with tap water. Allow the drink to steep in the fridge and add ice, if you like. Drink the water while it's fresh.

Ingredients:

• tap water
• apricot, cut into wedges (or peach)
• a few handfuls of raspberries
• a few sprigs of oregano or thyme
• ice, if you like

Drinking enough water is very important for your health and well-being because water:

• is a vital nutrient for cell development and reproduction;
• regulates body temperature through sweating;
• transports oxygen throughout the body;
• helps the body get rid of waste products;
• also benefits muscles and digestion;
• helps combat fatigue and promote well-being;
• ensures an even skin tone, smooth skin, and healthy hair;
• helps prevent premature ageing;
• helps maintain pH levels and prevent skin irritation and sensitivity;
• helps maintain moisture levels in cells;
• the carbohydrates and proteins that the body needs reach the bloodstream with the help of water;
• water also helps to produce saliva, which is an important component of the digestive process.

A survey conducted among Tallinna Vesi's customers showed that residents’ trust in tap water is very high: 89% respondents said that they trust the water that comes from the tap and enjoy drinking it.

Photos by Tuuli Mathisen