Blueberry Orange Thyme Water: Recipe & How to Make It

Blueberry orange thyme water is a chilled fruit-and-herb infusion that takes 2 hours and 10 minutes in total and makes about 1 liter (4 servings). For another combination, try the AI infused water generator.

What is blueberry orange thyme water?

Blueberry orange thyme water is drinking water steeped with blueberries, orange slices and fresh thyme. It has a light fruit flavor rather than the stronger, sweeter taste of juice, and the thyme adds a subtle herbal note.

This recipe is one option among berry infused water recipes. It takes about 10 minutes of hands-on preparation, followed by 2 hours in the refrigerator.

What ingredients and ratio do you need?

For a pitcher, use approximately 1 cup of berries and 2 thyme sprigs for every 1 liter of water. One small orange adds citrus flavor without making the drink overly sharp.

• Water: 1,000 ml (1 liter, or about 4¼ US cups)
• Blueberries: 150 g (about 1 cup)
• Orange: about 100 g (1 small orange, or roughly ¾ cup sliced)
• Fresh thyme: about 5 g (approximately 2 sprigs, or 1 tablespoon or 1/16 cup loosely packed leaves)

Use a clean, covered pitcher large enough to hold the water and ingredients. The fruit and herbs will take up additional space, so a pitcher larger than 1 liter is helpful.

How do you make blueberry orange thyme water?

1. Rinse the blueberries, orange and thyme under cool running water. Rinse the orange peel even if you plan to remove it.
2. Slice the orange into thin rounds with a clean knife. Remove the peel if you prefer a milder infusion or want to leave the slices in the water longer.
3. Add the blueberries, orange and thyme to the pitcher. Gently press a few blueberries with a spoon to release flavor without turning the mixture into a purée.
4. Pour in the water and stir gently. Cover the pitcher and refrigerate it for 2 hours.
5. Strain the water or remove the fruit and thyme, then serve chilled. If leaving the unpeeled orange in longer, remove it by 4 hours to limit bitterness from the pith.

The 2-hour steep gives the ingredients time to flavor the water; a longer refrigerated steep of up to 4 hours makes the flavor more pronounced. Straining also makes pouring easier and keeps loose thyme leaves out of the glass.

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Why do blueberry, orange and thyme work together?

Blueberries bring a mild berry flavor, while orange contributes brightness and a little citrus aroma. Thyme balances the fruit with an earthy, savory note. Gently pressing a few berries helps their flavor come through without adding much pulp; this also works well in blueberry infused water.

The orange's peel adds aroma, but its white pith can make the water bitter during a longer steep. Removing the peel or straining the slices by 4 hours helps keep the taste fresh. For a simpler citrus infusion, see orange infused water.

Fresh thyme is potent enough that a little goes a long way. Start with the suggested amount, then adjust it on a later batch if you want a stronger or softer herbal flavor; see thyme water for the herb on its own.

The main benefit of this drink is hydration. Whole fruit contains nutrients, but the amount that transfers into infused water is uncertain and should not be assumed to equal the amount in the fruit. The liver and kidneys do most of the body's detoxification; drinking water supports normal hydration rather than flushing out toxins.

How should you store blueberry orange thyme water?

Keep the pitcher covered and refrigerated, and drink it within 24 hours for the best flavor. Discard it after 2 days, or sooner if it becomes cloudy, slimy or sour-smelling.

Strain the ingredients after the initial steep, especially if the orange is unpeeled. Avoid leaving the pitcher at room temperature; return it to the refrigerator after serving.

How can you vary blueberry orange thyme water?

For a clearer, lighter drink, leave all the blueberries whole. For a fruitier taste, gently press a few more berries before steeping, knowing that the water may become cloudier.

For less bitterness, remove the orange peel before adding the slices. For a softer herb flavor, use fewer thyme leaves or remove the thyme when the 2-hour steep is complete. Keep the same water quantity so you can compare the flavor with the original recipe.