Amla Water: Recipe, Ratio and Steeping Time

Amla water is water infused with fresh amla, or Indian gooseberries; it takes about 2 hours 10 minutes to prepare and yields about 1 liter (4¼ US cups). Try the ai infused water generator for another combination.

What is amla water?

Amla water is a type of fruit infused water made by steeping cut amla in drinking water. The fruit gives the water a tart, slightly astringent flavor without needing to be blended or squeezed.

This recipe uses fresh fruit rather than amla powder or extract. Those products are different preparations, so their amounts and effects should not be assumed to be the same as those of amla water.

What ingredients and ratio do you need for amla water?

For a small pitcher, use approximately 1 cup of chopped amla per 1 liter of water. The amount can be adjusted to taste; a shorter steep gives a milder drink.

Recipe details

• Hands-on time: About 10 minutes
• Steeping time: 2 hours
• Total time: About 2 hours 10 minutes
• Yield: About 1 liter (4¼ US cups)

Ingredients

• 150 g fresh amla, about 1 US cup chopped
• 1,000 ml drinking water, about 4¼ US cups

You will also need a clean covered pitcher, a knife, a cutting board and an optional strainer. Measure the amla after removing its hard centers.

How do you make amla water?

1. Wash the amla thoroughly under running water and clean the pitcher.
2. Cut the amla into small pieces, removing and discarding the hard centers.
3. Add the chopped amla and drinking water to the pitcher.
4. Cover the pitcher and refrigerate it for 2 hours.
5. Strain out the amla if you prefer, then serve the water chilled. Keep any remaining amla water refrigerated.

The recipe makes a lightly infused drink. The yield is approximate because some water may remain with the fruit when you strain it.

How long should amla water steep?

Steep amla water in the refrigerator for 2–4 hours for a fuller flavor. Start tasting at 2 hours and strain it when the tartness suits you.

The size of the fruit pieces and their flavor can affect the result. Cutting the amla into small pieces exposes more surface to the water; you do not need to squeeze it for this recipe.

How should you store amla water?

Keep amla water covered and refrigerated from the time you mix it. Drink it within 24 hours for the best flavor and discard any remainder by 2 days. Discard it sooner if it becomes cloudy, slimy or unusually sour-smelling.

Do not leave it at room temperature for more than a few hours. Spoilage is not always visible or detectable by smell, so use the storage time as well as checking for obvious changes.

What are some amla water variations?

For a ginger variation, add about 10 g of fresh ginger, approximately a 1-inch piece, sliced before steeping. For a mint variation, add 8–12 washed mint leaves, approximately 5 g, to the pitcher.

Keep the same water and amla ratio, and refrigerate both variations while they steep. Start with the smaller amount of mint if you want the amla flavor to remain prominent.

What are the benefits of amla water?

Amla water can make drinking water more appealing, which may help you stay hydrated. Its nutrient content will depend on how much transfers from the fruit into the water; the nutrients in a whole amla should not be counted as though they are all present in the infusion.

The liver and kidneys do most of the body's detoxification, while the lungs and gut also help eliminate waste. Amla water supports hydration, but there is no need to rely on it to cleanse the body. Read more about amla water benefits.

For a separate look at weight-related claims, see amla water for weight loss.

Who should be careful with amla water?

Avoid amla water if you have an allergy to amla, and discard any fruit or prepared drink that shows signs of spoilage. Keep the hard centers away from young children, and serve only the strained water if fruit pieces could be a choking risk.

If you have kidney disease or a prescribed fluid restriction, ask your clinician how the drink fits your plan. If you take diabetes or blood-thinning medication, or are pregnant or breastfeeding, check with a clinician before using concentrated amla products regularly; those products are not equivalent to this infusion. See amla water side effects for more information.

Seek medical help for symptoms of an allergic reaction, such as swelling or trouble breathing; trouble breathing requires urgent care.

Amla water FAQs

Find answers below about serving amla water and using the fruit after steeping.

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