What to drink this summer, to keep your tastebuds happy and your body hydrated…

Bear with us… Healthy Hedonist, but doesn’t the sun make you feel good?! Wherever in the world, but especially in sun-starved Blighty, as soon as the sun is out life just seems that little bit brighter- no? Yes, we said it, we humans are basically big old houseplants with slightly more complex emotions… and you know what plants need besides sunshine? HYDRATION.

Yes, this is all a bit light-hearted and silly; but scientifically it is undisputed that SIXTY percent of our genetic makeup is water. It also doesn’t take much to get us dehydrated… lose just 1.5% of the water in your body and you’ve reached the tipping point of dehydration. Whilst we all know it’s a good thing to drink more fluids, let’s remind ourselves of some of the positive effects of staying hydrated!

Tired- who?

Why-oh-why do we drink coffee when we’re sleepy?? Yes, caffeine can have an anti-soporific effect; but when drowsiness is a major side effect of dehydration, the logic behind reaching for a cup of tea or coffee (which might actually be dehydrating) blows our minds a bit… Do yourself a favour & reach for a glass of water when you’re feeling dozy and a tea or coffee when you want to enjoy the flavour!

Kick the Sugar Habit

Who knew that dehydration could mask itself as hunger, or more specifically, sugar cravings? This is particularly common if you physically exert yourself while thirsty, since your body reverts to stored glycogen, and we say it can’t hurt to have a glass of water when that “sweet tooth” strikes. Wait for five minutes… and if you still fancy that sugary something? Treat yourself!

Clear Head

Our hard-working brain requires full hydration to function properly. Simples.

Mood Booster

Don’t go blaming all your grumps on poor old H2O, but the neurological effects of dehydration can increase irritability. So next time you’re feeling cranky, drink a glass of water… At the very least you’ll be well hydrated and grouchy!

Your skin will thank you!

Rather than spending a fortune on fancy creams, drink more water- it’s free. Whilst this is definitely not going to be the latest multibillion cosmetic campaign, it is true! Dehydrated skin will appear tight and dull with more exaggerated wrinkles or darker-than-usual under eye circles. Pinch your cheek: if it doesn’t hold its shape, then you probably need more water.

“Ok, so you’ve made your point La Maison Wellness… we need to drink more water. But didn’t you already admit that most full-grown adults know the facts and still don’t drink enough?”

Why yes, we did. But La Maison Wellness has your back because with these game-changing ingredients, hydrating will no longer feel like a boring part of your daily to-do list. Drinking is a social activity: we go out for cocktails, drink tea or coffee on a terrace… All delicious, but not always the most hydrating and we can’t help asking- why not switch them out for something using one of the following ingredients? It really is as easy as that. Get creative, or check out the delicious Mindful Cocktails linked!

Sparkling Water

There is sometimes confusion over whether sparkling water is as hydrating as still- it is- and let’s face it, you can’t beat good old H2O. Available in still and sparkling varieties; as the UK’s number one wellness water, healthy hydration is one of Harrogate Spring Water’s key priorities! Characterised by an exceptionally clean and well-rounded taste, it is rich in good minerals with a subtly sweet flavour and hydrating mouth-feel. We rate it so much at La Maison Wellness, that our founder Camille Vidal has recently become a Harrogate Spring Water Mindful Drinking Ambassador!

Why not try the Royal Rose: Ascot’s official Mindful cocktail of 2021 and the most decadent way to stay hydrated this summer!

Coconut Water

Tasty… refreshing… good for you. Sign US up. Coconut water is the juice from a young, green coconut (fun fact: as the coconut ripens, some of this liquid will harden into that recognisable soft white coconut meat.) With 94% water and very little fat, coconut water is a delicious option for when the sun’s out and you’re feeling tropical (although we have been known to sip on a Coco Fizz in the pouring rain and felt great about it.) Coconut water is also high in antioxidants: win-win indeed!

Love coconut water? Heaps of our Mindful Cocktails give it a shake-up. For spritz style, we recommend the Dolce Verde, whilst the aforementioned Coco Fizz makes for a great low ABV and more hydrating take on the classic Daiquiri!

Delicious, delicious plants

While not all fruits and veg are created equal (see watermelon, strawberry and cucumber!) ultimately, most do have a high water-content so they’re tasty AND hydrating. Below is the rough percentage of some of our favourites, and don’t forget our savoury friends like celery and tomato juice!

Over 80%: apricots, apples, blueberries, carrots, cherries, cranberries, grapes, oranges, peaches, pears, pineapples, plums, raspberries…

Over 90%: cantaloupe, celery, cucumber, grapefruit, strawberries, tomato, watermelon…

Where to start? With all the beautiful colours, flavours and goodness of nature, sooo many of our Mindful Cocktails are fabulous and fruity! Try the Sober Club, because everything- including hydrating- is better when it sparkles and Strawberry Fields to make the most of this delicious berry’s 92% water content. For a long drink with tropical vibes, we suggest Tropical Green or Vivace Vivace.

Mindful Cocktail:Sober Club — *Mindful Cocktail: Sober Club*

Watermelon

With a mega 92%, watermelon is one of the highest fruits for water content and also the lowest in calories. Like coconut water, watermelon gives us instant tropical vibes and boasts those all-important anti-oxidants, as well as vitamins A and C.

Try it in our Summer Wander, a juicy and slightly bitter summer sipper; or Summer in Torino for a juicy spritz.

Cucumber

Actually, a fruit… cucumber is a whopping 95% water. It’s high in vitamins and minerals, low in calories (as you may be getting, anything with an extremely high water-content tends to be!) To get the most of that beautiful colour and those nutrients, juice and consume unpeeled.

If you’re even slightly sceptical about cucumber in cocktails… we bet we have a recipe that will change your mind!

If you want the focus to be on this gorgeous fruit, we suggest Cool as a Cucumber, or play it more subtle with the Green Heart or Healthy Hedonist Spritz.

Hydrate Like a Houseplant