You don't need plain water. Coffee counts. Yes, coffee. The caffeine is a mild diuretic, but the water in your latte more than makes up for it.
Beer counts, too. But please don't replace all your water with beer. That’s a hangover from hell.
Soup, watermelon, cucumbers, and even ice cream all count. You're basically a desert that can drink through its food.
The Golden Rule of Thirst
The Institute of Medicine says men need about 3.7 liters (15.5 cups) daily. Women need about 2.7 liters (11.5 cups). But that's just a number.
B Fit B Hydrated - The Braden Aboud Memorial Foundation
A better rule: drink when you're thirsty, and drink with meals. Your body is a genius water meter. Trust it.
If you sweat a lot, you need more. If you sit in an air-conditioned room all day, you need less. It’s not rocket science. It’s pee-ology.
