Blueberry Pineapple Basil Water: Easy Recipe

Blueberry pineapple basil water is a fruit-and-herb infusion that takes 2 hours 10 minutes, including steeping, and yields about 4 cups (950 mL). For another combination, try the ai infused water generator. This recipe is also one of many berry infused water recipes you can make in a pitcher.

What is blueberry pineapple basil water?

Blueberry pineapple basil water is chilled water infused with fresh blueberries, pineapple and basil. The fruit lends a gently sweet, tart flavor, while the basil adds a fresh herbal aroma.

Unlike a smoothie or juice, the ingredients are steeped rather than blended. You can strain them out before serving or leave them in the pitcher while it stays refrigerated.

What ingredients and ratio do you need?

For about 4 servings, use:

Water: 950 mL (4 US cups), chilled
Blueberries: about 75 g (1/2 cup)
Pineapple: about 75 g (1/2 cup), peeled and chopped
Fresh basil: about 5 g (1/4 cup loosely packed, or 8–12 leaves)

The combined fruit comes to roughly 1 cup per 950 mL of water. That gives the infusion flavor without making it as strong or sweet as juice. You will also need a covered pitcher or jar, a spoon and, if you prefer a clear drink, a strainer.

How do you make blueberry pineapple basil water?

Allow 10 minutes for preparation and at least 2 hours for refrigerated steeping.

Wash the blueberries, pineapple and basil under running water. Pat the basil dry and remove any damaged leaves.
Peel and core the pineapple, then chop enough flesh to measure about 1/2 cup (75 g).
Press the blueberries gently with the back of a spoon, just enough to break some skins. Tear or lightly bruise the basil leaves to release their aroma.
Add the blueberries, pineapple and basil to a pitcher, then pour in 950 mL (4 cups) of chilled water. Stir gently and cover.
Refrigerate for 2–4 hours. Taste after 2 hours; leave it longer if you prefer a stronger infusion.
Strain if desired, then serve chilled. Keep any remaining water refrigerated.

Gently pressing the berries helps expose their flesh, but there is no need to mash them into a purée. If you want a clearer drink, keep the fruit pieces intact and strain before serving.

Why do blueberry, pineapple and basil pair well?

Blueberries contribute a mellow berry flavor and color. Lightly breaking their skins helps that flavor reach the water; for a simpler version, see blueberry infused water.

Pineapple brings a brighter, tart-sweet note that balances the berries. Smaller pieces expose more surface to the water, while larger chunks are easier to strain. Find more ideas in pineapple infused water.

Basil adds a savory, aromatic contrast to the fruit. Bruising the leaves gently is enough to release their scent without shredding them; basil water offers another way to use the herb.

The main benefit of this drink is hydration, especially if the flavor helps you enjoy drinking water. The liver and kidneys do most of the body's detoxification, while the lungs and gut also help eliminate waste. Infusing fruit does not make water a detox treatment.

The whole fruit contains nutrients and fiber, but the amount that transfers into the water is not established. Steeped water is very low in calories; squeezing or eating the fruit adds more of its calories.

How should you store it?

Keep blueberry pineapple basil water covered and refrigerated. Drink it within 24 hours for the best flavor, and discard it after 2 days or sooner if it becomes cloudy, slimy or sour-smelling.

You can strain out the fruit and basil after steeping, particularly if you like a milder flavor. Refrigerate the strained water too, and avoid leaving the pitcher at room temperature for more than a few hours.

How can you vary the recipe?

Make the berry flavor stronger

Use a little more blueberry and a little less pineapple, keeping the total chopped fruit close to 1 cup. Press a few more berries before steeping, then strain if you do not want fruit pieces in the glass.

Emphasize the pineapple

Shift the fruit ratio toward pineapple while keeping some blueberries for their color and mellow flavor. Cut the pineapple into small pieces and taste the water after 2 hours before deciding whether to steep it longer.

Adjust the basil

For a subtler herbal note, use fewer basil leaves and leave them whole. For a more noticeable aroma, use the full amount and tear the leaves just before adding them. Keep the blueberry and pineapple amounts the same so the drink remains balanced.