How to Drink Hot Water

Co-authored by Georgia Grey and Danielle Blinka, MA, MPA

Last Updated: March 7, 2023 References

Whether you enjoy the taste of hot water or hope to reap health benefits, you likely want to prepare the perfect cup. Start by heating your water, then pour it in a mug. If you want to add flavor to your water, you have several delicious options. To get the health benefits of water, drink your hot water at the perfect time of day.

Part 1

Part 1 of 4:

Heating the Water

1
Measure out about 8 fluid ounces (240 mL) of water. It's best to heat a cup full at time, as any excess water will cool before you have a chance to use it. You can use your measuring cup or your mug to measure out your desired amount of water.
- If you boil too much water, it's best to pour out the excess water instead of reheating it. If you want more hot water, use fresh water for your next cup.
2
Avoid boiling the water. You'll have a long wait ahead of you if you boil your water, as drinking it will scald your mouth. Also, your water may not taste as good, since heating can alter the taste of the water.^{[1]
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- Watch your water to make sure it doesn't boil. Don't leave it unattended!
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3
Warm your water in a pot for a convenient option. As you watch your water, wait until it starts to bubble. First, small bubbles will form along the pan and release. Wait until you see steam coming off the water, as well as larger bubbles traveling up from the bottom of the pot. This signals your water is the proper temperature.^{[2]
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- Be careful when handling the pot. Make sure you only touch it by the handle or use a potholder or tea towel.
4
Use a tea kettle for the perfect temperature. Tea kettles are designed for heating water for drinking. You may not be making tea, but you can still use a kettle to warm your water! Simply put the kettle on the stove and wait for it to whistle, which tells you the water is ready.^{[3]
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- You can even purchase a tea kettle with a built in thermometer to help you know when to turn off your burner. Since you aren't brewing tea, you can turn it off as soon as the water reaches your preferred temperature, if you have one. On average, most people prefer drinking hot beverages at about 136 °F (58 °C).^{[4]
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5
Keep your skin away from the steam. If it touches your skin, steam can cause a thermal burn. It's best to avoid direct contact with the steam, either when the water is heating up or when you're pouring it into a mug. Always pour away from your body. Use a potholder or towel to protect your hand as you pour.^{[5]
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- Don't hold your hand over the steam to see if your water is warm. Similarly, don't put your face directly over the pot to check for steam and bubbles.
6
Pour your hot water into a mug or teacup. Gently pour the water, letting it slowly flow into the mug to prevent splashing. Use a towel or potholder to support the pot or kettle, if necessary.
- Don't overfill your mug. Keep in mind that the water could splash up over the sides of the cup and burn you.

Part 2

Part 2 of 4:

Sipping Your Hot Water

1
Let the hot water cool before you drink it. As with other hot drinks, you can't drink it right away. It will take a few minutes for the water to be cool enough to drink. Since personal preference varies, wait until the water reaches your desired temperature.^{[6]
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- To speed up the cooling, you might blow on the water. However, this will cool just the top of the water, so sip slowly.
2
Don't rely on your fingers to tell you if it's cool enough to drink. Although you shouldn't touch hot fluids, you may be tempted to put your finger against the surface of the water to test the temperature. However, your finger can withstand higher temperatures than your mouth, so what feels warm to your hand might scald your mouth and throat.^{[7]
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3
Take a small sip to test the water before gulping. Wait until there isn't much steam coming off the water. Gently bring the water to your lips and take a small sip to see if it's ready to drink.^{[8]
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- Treat your hot water the same way you would tea or coffee.
- If the water feels too warm as you bring it toward your lips, don't take a sip.
4
Continue sipping your hot water until you're finished. It's better to take small sips than big gulps. Enjoy the warming sensation of your convenient, calorie-free beverage!
- If you'd like to spruce up your water, you might add a flavoring.

Part 3

Part 3 of 4:

Adding Flavor to Your Water

1
Squeeze in the juice from half a lemon. Adding lemon is a delicious, easy way to flavor your water. In fact, lemon is traditionally used in hot water to aid digestion.^{[9]
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Trustworthy Source
Cleveland Clinic
Educational website from one of the world's leading hospitals
Go to source} Lemon also gives you a great boost of vitamin C, is low in sugar and helps keep you hydrated. Use up to half the lemon to flavor your water to your taste.
- As an alternative, pour the water over a slice of lemon.^{[10]
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2
Steep a few sprigs of fresh mint. Place the mint leaves in your mug before you add the water. Use a couple of sprigs for a mild flavor or several sprigs for a stronger infusion. The mint will give your water a crisp flavor that's still milder than tea.^{[11]
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- You can grow your own mint or buy fresh mint from most grocery stores or farmers markets.
3
Add a drop of honey or packet of sweetener. Choose a sweetener you prefer. Use just enough to lightly flavor the water. You don't need much!^{[12]
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- You might add both honey and lemon for a soothing drink, especially if you're not feeling well. This is a great option for people who don't like tea but want the effects of honey and lemon.
4
Mix in lemon and spices for a winter brew. Squeeze the juice from half a lemon into a mug, then add 1/4 teaspoon (1 g) of turmeric, a pinch of cayenne pepper, a pinch of sea salt, and a pinch of raw sugar. Pour 1 cup (240 mL) boiling water over the ingredients and stir until they're combined. This warming blend will beat the winter cold!^{[13]
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- You can adjust the ingredients to your preferences.
- If you'd like, you can substitute a drop of honey or agave for the sugar.

Part 4

Part 4 of 4:

Choosing When to Drink

1
Sip hot water any time of day for a calming, warming beverage. You can drink hot water anytime you'd like! You might enjoy the taste of the water, or you may enjoy the warming effects. It works for any time of day!^{[14]
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- Hot water tastes different from cold water, so it's normal to just enjoy the flavor.
2
Drink hot water when you want to sweat more for detoxification. Hot water can help your body's natural detoxification process by causing you to sweat more. Since it's hot, it increases your body's temperature and makes you sweat, which is one way your body releases waste products.^{[15]
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- You might want to drink the hot water before your morning shower.
3
Sip after dinner to help your digestion. Hot water may help speed up digestion by warming your body and the food you've just eaten. It's especially helpful for keeping dietary fats soft. End your meals with a mug of hot water.^{[16]
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- Lemon is also a great addition to your post-dinner water.
4
Use hot water to fight constipation. If you're feeling backed up, hot water may help. While it's not a magic pill, you can get relief by sipping on a mug of hot water. It's most effective if you drink it regularly.^{[17]
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- If you have persistent constipation, it's best to talk to your doctor. They can help you figure out what's causing your constipation.
5
Drink hot water to warm your body, boosting your metabolism. Many people swear hot water is a great way to lose weight. It can warm your body, which may increase your metabolism. Start your day with a mug of hot water, sip a mug during the afternoon, and enjoy a mug after dinner.^{[18]
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- It's a great idea to flavor your water, especially if you don't like the taste. For weight loss, mint, lemon, or cayenne pepper are often the go-to flavorings.
6
Calm yourself with a steaming cup of hot water. Drinking hot water can relax your muscles, relieving stress. Its relaxing effects can also relieve discomfort from muscle cramps, including premenstrual cramps. Sip hot water whenever you feel stressed!^{[19]
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- Hot water can calm you down better than warm caffeinated beverages, like coffee and tea.

Warnings

Be careful when handling hot water, as you could burn yourself. Use the handle or a potholder when handling a hot pot of water or a tea kettle.

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The hot water can scald your mouth, so wait until it's cooled to drink it. Treat it the same way you would a cup of hot tea or coffee.

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Talk to your doctor before drinking hot water if you're taking medications. Some medications may be less effective if you pair them with hot water.

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Drinking scalding beverages (greater than 65C/149F) has been linked with an increased risk of esophageal cancer. It is not common to drink water or other beverages this temperature in Europe or North America, although it is in other regions of the world (like South America, the Middle East, and East Africa). ^{[21]
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