Lasting Impressions - The Art of Spa Beverages

Water - an ever present amenity in spas, so why not make it special?

One of the things I look forward to when spa-going is the quiet time I have while waiting for my treatment. Great spas have a wide assortment of loose and bagged teas, infused waters and juices. It is so fun to try all these varieties before and after treatments and it really helps commence "me time" mode.

From time to time I still stumble accross spas offering little to no beverage assortment for guests. Maybe they will have a pitcher of water (with a lemon wedge thrown in for good measure) and a generic chamomile tea blend. That is almost as bad as being handed a small Dixie cup filled with lukewarm tap water after a great massage! Sometimes it is the small details that leave the lasting impressions.

So why don’t more spas offer their clients something special to drink? Water is an important accent on the spa experience and it can easily be transformed from ordinary to extraordinary. What a great way to remind the guest that every detail of their experience is attended to.

Pure Spa Direct has some ideas on how to enhance your beverage selection to your spa guests. It hardly takes any time to prepare such delightful treats. So here are some simple ways to liven up your drink offerings to clients this Spring & Summer.

Uplifting Citrus Water:

• 1/2 grapefruit, pink or white, sliced
  
• 1 lime, sliced
  
• 1 orange, sliced
  
• 1 lemon, sliced
  
• 1 cup fresh mint leaves

Add all of the ingredients to a clear pitcher and fill with ice water. Best served slightly chilled or at room temperature. Relaxing Herbal Tonic:

• 4 sprigs (2 in. long ea.) fresh mint, slightly crushed
  
• 2 sprigs (2 in. long ea.) fresh rosemary, slightly crushed
  
• 6 cups chilled spring water
  
• 12 thin slices cucumber
  
• 4 thin slices lemon

In a 2- to 2 1/2-quart pitcher, combine water, cucumber, lemon, mint, and rosemary. Serve, or cover and chill at least 2 hours or up to 8 hours. Add ice cubes just before serving. Makes about 1 1/2 quarts; about 4 servings. Summer Citrus Delight:

• 1 Gallon spring water
  
• 1/2 lime, sliced
  
• 1/2 orange, sliced
  
• 1/2 lemon, sliced

Calming Cucumber Water:

• 1 Gallon spring water
  
• 2-3 slices fresh lemon
  
• 2-3 slices cucumbers

Fresh Mint & Lime Cooler

• Place crushed mint leaves in a pitcher.
  
• Fill the pitcher with water and add 1/2 cup of lime juice.
  
• Stir well and garnish with whole slices of lime and a mint stem.

Ginger Soda

• Combine crystallized or candied ginger with club soda and garnish with lemon slices.
  
• Also note: For a stronger taste, let the water sit in your refrigerator for an hour prior to serving.

Try This: 1.5 quart (50oz) with side filter for tea bags, limes, lemons, cucumbers, oranges, etc. to infuse into cold water. Even use this heat-safe pitcher to brew iced tea - fill the jar with loose herbs, tea, or tea bags, pour a cup of hot water over the tea leaves, then fill the pitcher with cold water and leave to brew overnight in the fridge. Pop-up lid keeps ice cubes from splashing out when pouring. Won't stain or absorb odors. Scratch and crack resistant polycarbonate is dishwasher safe. If you have a spa water recipe that you would like us to share with our readers please email it to: info@purespadirect.com