Published on Saturday, January 17, 2026

By Melissa Pette

Happy New Year 2026!

The holidays came in hot... and left just as fast. One minute you’re reaching for another cookie, the next minute it’s January.

New year, fresh start, better vibes. You know the drill. This is where we gently shake off the holiday chaos, drink some water (finally), and pretend we’ve always been this healthy. Welcome to January reset mode.

So grab a glass, raid your fridge, and let’s make a few easy detox drinks that help you feel refreshed, hydrated, and slightly more put-together than you did last week.

These detox drinks won’t magically turn you into a wellness influencer, but they will help flush out the holiday excess, keep you hydrated, and give your body some much-needed love. Plus, they actually taste good, which is kind of the whole point.

One glass in the morning before a light breakfast is the sweet spot.

If you’ve got chronic conditions or allergies, do the responsible thing and check with your doctor first.

Our friends Jane and William McLean, a fun, health-minded couple in their 50s, shared some of their go-to detox drinks with us. Good news: none of these taste like lawn clippings.

The McLeans packed up their life in Edmonton, Canada, and moved to Heredia, Costa Rica, a few years ago. Why Costa Rica?

“The weather, the culture, and the beauty, it’s everywhere,” Jane says.  “And honestly,” William adds, “everything from food to transportation to healthcare is way cheaper than in Canada. That’s why so many Canadians are making the move.”

Hard to argue with that.

Let’s hit the kitchen.

Orange & Blueberry Water

Think immune-system glow-up meets spa-water energy.

You’ll need:

• 60 g blueberries.

• 2 oranges, sliced.

• Water.

• Ice cubes.

• A blender.

• A carafe or pitcher.

Toss everything into the blender, give it a whirl, pour into a glass, and sip like someone who has their life together. Repeat daily.

Strawberry, Lemon & Basil Water

Refreshing, energizing, and way fancier than it has any right to be.

You’ll need:

• A few strawberries, sliced lengthwise.

• 1 lemon, sliced.

• A few fresh basil leaves.

• Water.

• Ice cubes.

• One very lucky glass.

Blend everything until smooth. Pour, sip, and enjoy a drink that tastes like summer decided to show up early.

Green Apple, Spinach & Celery Juice

Yes, it’s green. Yes, it’s good for you. And yes, it actually tastes great.

You’ll need:

• 2 green apples.

• A small handful of baby spinach.

• 1 small celery stalk.

• 2 tbsp honey.

• 250 ml of fresh water.

Chop everything up, blend until smooth, and let it chill in the fridge for about 30 minutes. This lets the flavors get friendly with each other, and trust me, it’s worth the wait.

These tropical-inspired drinks are packed with hydration, vitamins, and fresh flavor, perfect for easing back into healthy habits without suffering.

Have a Pura Vida weekend!

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Feel free to share your own recipes by emailing a horizontal photo of your dish to food@amcostarica.com. You can find more tasty Costa Rican recipes over on the AM Costa Rica Food Magazine.

The recipe may contain or come into contact with common allergen ingredients. It is the reader's sole responsibility to review all ingredients and make sure they are suitable for their specific dietary needs and potential adverse reactions.

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