Blackberry Apricot Basil Water: Easy Recipe

Blackberry apricot basil water is a fruit-and-herb-infused drink that takes 2 hours 10 minutes to prepare, including steeping, and yields about 1 liter (4 1/4 cups).

What is blackberry apricot basil water?

Blackberry apricot basil water is chilled water flavored with fresh blackberries, sliced apricot and basil leaves. The fruit gives it a gently sweet, tart taste, while the basil adds a fresh herbal note.

It’s an unsweetened option among berry infused water recipes. The water takes on flavor as it rests in the refrigerator; it won’t taste as concentrated as juice.

What ingredients and proportions do you need?

For approximately 1 liter (4 1/4 cups), use:

1 liter (about 4 1/4 cups) cold drinking water
75 g (about 1/2 cup) fresh blackberries
75 g (about 1/2 cup) sliced fresh apricot, pit removed
5 g (about 1/4 cup loosely packed, or 8–12 leaves) fresh basil

This uses about 1 cup of fruit and a small handful of herbs per liter of water. A ripe apricot gives the water a rounder fruit flavor; choose one that smells fragrant and yields slightly to gentle pressure. The cup measurements are approximate because fruit size and how tightly it is packed vary.

Prep time: 10 minutes
Refrigerator steep: 2–4 hours
Total time: 2 hours 10 minutes for the shorter steep
Yield: About 1 liter (4 1/4 cups)

How do you make blackberry apricot basil water?

Rinse the blackberries, apricot and basil under running water.
Slice the apricot and discard the pit. Leave the peel on for color and convenience.
Place the blackberries and apricot slices in a clean pitcher. Gently tear the basil leaves and add them to the pitcher.
Pour in the cold water and stir gently. Avoid crushing the fruit if you prefer clearer water.
Cover the pitcher and refrigerate for 2–4 hours. Taste after 2 hours; leave it for longer within that range if you want a stronger flavor.
Strain the water if you prefer, or pour it with some of the fruit and basil in each glass. Serve cold.

For another combination based on ingredients you have, try the ai infused water generator.

Why do blackberry, apricot and basil pair well?

Blackberries bring tartness and a subtle berry aroma. Apricot softens that tart edge with a mellow stone-fruit flavor, while basil keeps the combination tasting fresh rather than heavy.

The proportions are flexible: add a little more fruit for a stronger fruit character, or use fewer basil leaves for a gentler herbal taste. For a simpler berry flavor, see blackberry infused water; for a softer stone-fruit profile, see apricot infused water. You can also explore the herb on its own in basil water.

The main benefit of blackberry apricot basil water is hydration. Whole blackberries and apricots contain nutrients and fiber, but the amount transferred into steeped water is uncertain; eating the fruit provides more of its fiber than drinking the infusion alone. The liver and kidneys do most of the body’s detoxification, while the lungs and gut also help eliminate waste.

How should you store blackberry apricot basil water?

Keep the pitcher covered and refrigerated throughout the steep and after serving. Drink the water within 24 hours for the best flavor, and discard it after 2 days. You can strain out the fruit and basil after steeping if you prefer a cleaner-looking drink, but keep the strained water refrigerated too.

Discard it sooner if it becomes cloudy or slimy or develops a sour smell. Put the pitcher back in the refrigerator promptly after pouring rather than leaving it at room temperature for an extended period.

How can you vary the recipe?

Make it fruitier

Use a little more blackberry or apricot while keeping the water amount the same. Gently pressing a few berries releases more flavor and color, though it can also make the drink less clear and add some fruit solids.

Adjust the basil

Use fewer leaves for a light herbal note, or gently tear the full amount for a more noticeable one. Add the basil along with the fruit so it has time to infuse in the refrigerator.

Serve it with fruit

Leave a few blackberry pieces and apricot slices in each glass instead of straining everything out. The fruit can be eaten, but its nutrients and calories are additional to those in the steeped water.