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A glass of iced lemonade with lemon slices and mint, next to a mason jar of lemonade and a halved lemon.
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Okra Water

Okra water is a simple, refreshing drink made by soaking fresh okra pods in water overnight. Light, mild, and easy to prepare, it’s a soothing way to use fresh okra and enjoy something a little different. This easy recipe shows how to make okra water at home with just two ingredients.
Prep Time10 minutes
Resting Time8 hours
Total Time8 hours 10 minutes
Course: Drinks
Cuisine: American
Keyword: fresh, from the garden, health benefits, healthy recipes, homemade, make-ahead, refreshing, superfoods
Author: Angela Judd

Equipment

Ingredients

  • Fresh Okra See notes for amount
  • Water Enough to fill the jar or bowl
  • Lemon Juice Optional
  • Mint Leaves Optional
  • Lime Wedges Optional

Instructions

To Make the Okra Concentrate:

  • Wash the okra pods and remove the stems.
    Hands holding a metal colander under a running faucet in a white sink, preparing fresh okra for an okra water recipe.
  • Slice the okra pods in half or coarsely chop them.
    A person slicing fresh okra on a wooden cutting board with a knife, preparing to make okra water and explore its health benefits.
  • Place the okra in a jar or a large bowl and cover it completely with water.
    A hand places chopped okra into a glass jar on a wooden counter, preparing for making okra water—a method enjoyed by many for its potential okra water health benefits. More fresh okra and a bowl sit in the background.
  • Refrigerate and let it sit overnight or for at least 8 hours. The water will turn slimy, slightly thick, and have a neutral or somewhat earthy taste.
    A hand holds a jar filled with sliced okra on a kitchen counter near a cutting board, perfect for making okra water and discovering the potential okra water health benefits.

To Make Okra Water:

  • Once the water has infused with okra and turned into a gel-like substance, strain the liquid through a fine-mesh strainer or cheesecloth
    A hand pours chopped okra from a jar into a strainer over a measuring cup on a wooden counter, demonstrating how to make okra water.
  • I like to use 1 part of okra water to 2 parts of regular water. Add lemon juice, lime wedges, mint leaves, or your favorite sweetener to the water to add flavor
    A hand holds a mason jar of cloudy okra water over a wooden counter with kitchen items in the background, highlighting the process to make okra water and enjoy its health benefits.
  • Store it in the refrigerator for 3-4 days
    A glass of iced lemon drink, a jar of lemonade, and a halved lemon rest on a wooden surface—perfect inspiration if you're making okra water or exploring refreshing homemade beverages.

Video

Notes

Amount of Okra:
The amount of okra you use will affect how thick and concentrated your okra water becomes. More okra creates a thicker, more gelatinous drink, while less okra keeps it lighter and watery. Feel free to experiment to find what you enjoy. If it becomes too thick, simply strain it through cheesecloth and add a little fresh water. Okra water will continue to thicken as it sits in the refrigerator. In my quart-size jars, I use about 5–8 okra pods, which results in a lightly thick consistency after soaking overnight.
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