Cantaloupe Plum Basil Water: Recipe and How to Make It

Cantaloupe plum basil water is a chilled fruit-and-herb infusion that takes 2 hours 10 minutes total and yields about 4 cups (960 mL). For a different combination, try the ai infused water generator.

What is cantaloupe plum basil water?

Cantaloupe plum basil water is plain water steeped with cut cantaloupe, sliced plum and fresh basil. The fruit gives it a subtle sweetness, while the basil adds a fresh herbal aroma.

It is one of many melon infused water recipes you can make without blending or adding sugar. Expect a lightly flavored drink rather than a juice or smoothie.

What ingredients and ratio do you need?

Use a clean pitcher large enough to hold the water and fruit. The recipe combines about 1 cup of fruit with 4 cups of water, plus a small handful of basil.

• Water: 4 cups (960 mL)
• Cantaloupe: about 2/3 cup (100 g), cubed, with rind and seeds removed
• Plum: about 1/3 cup (50 g), sliced, with the pit removed
• Fresh basil: about 1/4 cup loosely packed (5 g), or 8–12 leaves

The fruit measurements do not need to be exact. A ripe cantaloupe and a ripe but firm plum will provide flavor without needing a sweetener. Keep the plum skin on for a little color and tartness.

How do you make cantaloupe plum basil water?

Prep time: 10 minutes
Chill time: 2 hours
Total time: 2 hours 10 minutes
Yield: About 4 cups (960 mL)

1. Wash the cantaloupe under running water, scrubbing the rind before cutting. Rinse the plum and basil under running water.
2. Prepare the fruit: remove the cantaloupe rind and seeds, then cut the flesh into cubes. Remove the plum pit and slice the flesh.
3. Add the cantaloupe, plum and basil to a clean pitcher. Gently press the basil leaves between your fingers as you add them to release their aroma.
4. Pour in 4 cups (960 mL) of water and cover the pitcher.
5. Refrigerate for 2 hours, or up to 4 hours for a fuller flavor. Strain into glasses or serve with the fruit and basil in the pitcher.

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Why do cantaloupe, plum and basil pair well?

Cantaloupe has a mellow, sweet flavor that forms the base of the drink. In cantaloupe infused water, the melon flavor is similarly delicate, so ripe fruit is useful.

Plum adds a sharper, slightly tart note that balances the melon. The skin can also lend color, as it does in plum infused water. Basil brings a fragrant finish; gently pressing the leaves helps release their aroma without shredding them. For a simpler herbal infusion, see basil water.

The main benefit of cantaloupe plum basil water is hydration, especially if its flavor makes plain water more appealing. Whole cantaloupe and plum contain nutrients and fiber, but the amount that passes into steeped water is uncertain; the drink should not be treated as nutritionally equivalent to eating the fruit.

Cantaloupe plum basil water has not been shown to detoxify the body or treat a health condition. The liver and kidneys do most of the body's detoxification, while the lungs and gut also help eliminate waste.

How should you store cantaloupe plum basil water?

Keep the pitcher covered and refrigerated. Drink it within 24 hours for the best flavor, and discard it after 2–3 days or sooner if it becomes cloudy, slimy or sour-smelling.

You can strain out the fruit and basil after steeping if you prefer a clearer drink. Keep the strained water refrigerated too, and do not leave it at room temperature for more than a few hours.

How can you vary cantaloupe plum basil water?

Adjust the fruit

For a more melon-forward pitcher, use a little more cantaloupe and less plum, keeping the total fruit close to 1 cup. Reverse the proportions for a more noticeable plum flavor.

Adjust the basil

Use fewer basil leaves for a subtler herbal note, or gently press all the leaves before adding them for a more fragrant pitcher. Avoid crushing them into small pieces if you want the water to stay easy to strain.

Change the strength

Taste the water after 2 hours. If you want more flavor, return it to the refrigerator and steep it for up to 4 hours in total. If it tastes too strong, dilute your glass with a little cold water.