How to Make Your Own Mineral Water at Home: A DIY Guide

Over 60% of people consume bottled water regularly, but you can create a healthier and more sustainable version yourself. This guide explains how to make your own mineral water at home, giving you complete control over the mineral content and quality of your drinking water.

Quick Summary

This guide provides instructions and recipes for creating mineral-rich water at home. Explore the benefits of adding essential electrolytes like magnesium and calcium to purified water. Step-by-step methods ensure a safe, cost-effective, and delicious alternative to commercial bottled water.

Key Points

• Base Water: Always start with a neutral, purified water source like distilled or reverse osmosis water to ensure purity and control over mineral content.

• Food-Grade Minerals: Use only food-grade salts such as Epsom salt, calcium chloride, and baking soda from reputable suppliers for safe consumption.

• Precision is Key: Measure ingredients accurately, especially for concentrated solutions, to ensure a balanced and palatable flavor.

• Customize Your Blend: Adjust the ratios of calcium, magnesium, and sodium to create a taste and mineral profile that suits your preferences.

• Carbonation Option: Use a seltzer bottle to add fizz for a sparkling mineral water experience.

• Eco-Friendly Choice: Reduce plastic waste by making your own mineral water instead of buying bottled versions.

• Daily Hydration: Enjoy your homemade mineral water as a healthy, mineral-enriched alternative to plain water, but rely on a balanced diet for your main mineral intake.

Why Create Your Own Mineral Water?

Commercial mineral waters are often sourced from natural springs and can be expensive. They contain dissolved minerals such as calcium, magnesium, and potassium, which are important for bodily functions. However, creating your own allows you to control the exact mineral profile and avoid potential contaminants sometimes found in certain bottled waters. DIY mineral water is also more environmentally friendly, as it reduces your reliance on single-use plastic bottles.

Essential Ingredients and Equipment

Before you start, you need a clean, mineral-free base water. Options include purified, distilled, or reverse osmosis water, which act as a blank canvas. You will then reintroduce beneficial minerals using food-grade salts. For precise measurements, especially if creating a bulk concentrate, a digital scale accurate to 0.001g is highly recommended.

Required Ingredients

• Calcium Chloride (CaCl₂): Often sold for homebrewing or food preservation. Calcium is vital for bone health and muscle function.
• Magnesium Sulfate (MgSO₄): Also known as food-grade Epsom salt. Magnesium is essential for nerve function and blood sugar regulation.
• Sodium Bicarbonate (NaHCO₃): Common baking soda. Adds a slight alkalinity and provides sodium, a key electrolyte.
• Potassium Bicarbonate (KHCO₃): A potassium source that can improve heart and nerve function.

Required Equipment

• Measuring spoons: For small-scale, daily recipes.
• Digital kitchen scale: For more accurate bulk concentrate recipes.
• Glass container with a lid: For mixing and storage.
• Seltzer bottle (optional): For adding carbonation.

Basic DIY Mineral Water Recipe

This simple recipe is perfect for beginners and yields approximately 1 liter of mineral water.

Ingredients:

• 1 liter of filtered, distilled, or purified water
• ⅛ tsp food-grade Epsom salt (magnesium sulfate)
• ⅛ tsp food-grade calcium chloride
• ⅛ tsp baking soda (sodium bicarbonate)

Instructions:

1. Start with the base water: Pour 1 liter of your purified water into a clean, glass jar or bottle.
2. Add minerals one by one: Add the Epsom salt, calcium chloride, and baking soda to the water.
3. Mix thoroughly: Seal the container and shake well until all the powders have completely dissolved. The water should be clear. If you find any undissolved particles, let it sit for a few minutes and shake again.
4. Optional carbonation: For a sparkling version, transfer the finished mineral water to a seltzer bottle and carbonate according to the manufacturer's instructions.

Advanced Recipe: Concentrated Electrolyte Solution

For more precision and to save time, you can create a mineral concentrate and add a small amount to your purified water each time you want to drink it. The following recipe from Serious Eats is a great starting point for a concentrated solution.

Concentrate Ingredients:

• 1 liter distilled or purified water
• 1.5 g magnesium chloride
• 1 g sodium bicarbonate (baking soda)
• 1 g calcium chloride

Directions:

1. Combine minerals and water: In a large jug, combine 1 liter of purified water with the magnesium chloride, baking soda, and calcium chloride.
2. Dissolve thoroughly: Stir the solution until all minerals have completely dissolved.
3. Store the concentrate: Seal the jug and store the concentrate for later use. This solution is too strong to drink straight.
4. Dilute for drinking: When ready, add 10 grams (or 2 teaspoons) of the concentrate to 1 liter of pure water and stir to dilute.

Comparison: Homemade vs. Store-Bought Mineral Water

Feature	Homemade Mineral Water	Store-Bought Mineral Water
Cost	Much lower, as you only purchase bulk minerals and base water.	Varies greatly, often more expensive per liter.
Control	Complete control over the specific mineral profile and taste.	Fixed mineral profile determined by the source.
Sourcing	Uses food-grade mineral salts and purified water from a known source.	Sourced from natural underground reservoirs; mineral composition varies by brand.
Environmental Impact	Significantly lower, reduces reliance on plastic bottles.	Higher, contributes to plastic waste and transportation emissions.
Consistency	Can be tailored to your preference, but requires accurate measuring for consistent results.	Consistent results guaranteed by the manufacturer.
Purity	Begins with purified water, ensuring a clean slate before adding controlled minerals.	Purity depends on the source and processing; may contain other substances.

Important Considerations for Safety

While making mineral water at home is generally safe, a few precautions must be followed to ensure a high-quality product.

Use Food-Grade Ingredients

Always purchase food-grade minerals from reputable suppliers. Do not use industrial or non-specified chemical salts. Food-grade products, like those available from homebrewing or specialty health food stores, are guaranteed safe for human consumption.

Use Purified Base Water

Starting with purified, distilled, or reverse osmosis water is crucial. These processes remove contaminants and existing minerals, giving you full control over the final composition. Adding minerals to untreated tap water, which already contains a variety of chemicals, can result in an imbalanced and potentially unsafe product.

Measure Accurately

While simple recipes provide estimates, using a scale for advanced recipes ensures precision. Adding too many minerals can result in an unpalatable taste or an overly high concentration of electrolytes. For most people, a balanced and subtle flavor is the goal, not a highly concentrated supplement.

Don't Over-Consume

Remember that mineral water enhances your hydration, but is not a substitute for a balanced diet. As noted by Banner Health, a single bottle of mineral water provides only a small fraction of your daily mineral needs, and a balanced diet is the primary source of these nutrients. Consuming too many minerals, particularly sodium, can be detrimental to health, so moderation is key.

Conclusion

Making your own mineral water at home is a simple, cost-effective, and environmentally friendly way to upgrade your hydration. By using purified water and food-grade mineral salts, you can create a customized, great-tasting beverage tailored to your preferences. The ability to control your mineral intake and reduce plastic waste makes this a rewarding DIY project. Whether you choose a simple recipe for daily use or a bulk concentrate for convenience, you can enjoy all the benefits of mineral-enriched water without the high price tag or environmental impact.

For more in-depth information on the health benefits of mineral water, you can consult articles from WebMD, like this one on the Health Benefits of Mineral Water.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between mineral water and tap water?

Mineral water typically comes from a protected underground source, while tap water comes from various sources and is chemically treated. Mineral water contains a consistent profile of dissolved minerals, which can vary significantly from tap water’s mineral content.

Is it safe to make my own mineral water?

Yes, it is safe, provided you use high-quality, food-grade mineral salts and start with purified water. Using non-food-grade chemicals or inaccurate measurements can be risky.

What kind of water should I use as a base?

For the best results and control, use distilled, reverse osmosis, or otherwise purified water. These waters have had their existing mineral content removed, allowing you to build your own precise mineral profile.

Can I use Himalayan pink salt instead of separate mineral salts?

Yes, you can use a pinch of Himalayan pink salt. It contains trace minerals like potassium and magnesium in addition to sodium. However, using specific food-grade salts gives you more control over the precise mineral ratios.

How should I store my homemade mineral water?

Store your homemade mineral water in an airtight glass container in the refrigerator. For a concentrated solution, store it in a sealed jug. Consume within a few days for the freshest taste.

Why would I add minerals to my water if I get them from food?

While a balanced diet is the best source of minerals, adding them to water can provide additional hydration benefits and replenish electrolytes, especially after exercise. The minerals in water are also often more bioavailable than those in food.

What's the best way to get sparkling mineral water at home?

After mixing your minerals into purified water, transfer the solution to a soda siphon or a home carbonation machine. Follow the manufacturer's instructions to add carbon dioxide for a refreshing, fizzy drink.