Cherry Apricot Basil Water: Recipe and Tips

Cherry apricot basil water is a fruit-and-herb infusion that takes 2 hours 10 minutes, including refrigerated steeping, and makes about 4 cups (960 ml).

What is cherry apricot basil water?

Cherry apricot basil water is plain water steeped with sliced cherries, apricots and fresh basil. The fruit lends a gentle sweetness and tartness, while the basil adds a fragrant herbal note.

The ingredients are steeped rather than blended, so the result is more subtle than juice. For more fruit combinations, explore these berry infused water recipes.

What ingredients and ratio do you need?

For this recipe, use about 1 cup (150 g) of prepared fruit and a small handful of basil for every 1 liter of water. The equal amounts of cherry and apricot give each fruit room to contribute without overwhelming the basil.

Ingredients

1 liter (about 4¼ cups) cold drinking water
75 g (about ½ cup) pitted, halved cherries
75 g (about ½ cup) pitted, sliced apricots
5 g (about ¼ cup loosely packed, or 8–12 leaves) fresh basil

Choose ripe fruit for the best flavor. Sweet or sour cherries both work: sweet cherries produce a softer fruit flavor, while sour cherries add more tartness.

A covered pitcher or jar large enough to hold the water and fruit is all you need. Measurements for the fruit and basil are approximate; their size and how tightly they fit in a cup can vary.

How do you make cherry apricot basil water?

Allow 10 minutes for preparation and at least 2 hours for the infusion to steep in the refrigerator.

Wash your hands and clean the pitcher or jar. Rinse the cherries, apricots and basil under running water.
Prepare the fruit by removing the cherry and apricot pits, halving the cherries and slicing the apricots.
Add the fruit and basil to the pitcher. Gently tear the basil leaves to release their aroma.
Pour in the cold water and cover the pitcher.
Refrigerate for 2–4 hours. Taste after 2 hours and leave it longer if you prefer a stronger flavor.
Strain the infusion if you prefer, then pour into glasses and serve cold.

For another combination based on the same method, try the AI infused water generator.

Why do cherry, apricot and basil pair well?

Cherries bring a sweet or tart fruit flavor, depending on the variety. They also add color to the pitcher; see cherry infused water for a simpler version of the idea.

Apricots provide a mellow, slightly tangy stone-fruit flavor that rounds out the cherries. In apricot infused water, that flavor takes the lead instead.

Basil adds a fresh, aromatic contrast to both fruits. If you enjoy that herbal note, basil water is another way to use the leaves.

The main benefit of cherry apricot basil water is hydration, particularly if the flavor helps you enjoy drinking water. Whole fruit contains nutrients, but the amount transferred into a steeped drink is unknown. The liver and kidneys do most of the body's detoxification; this drink supports them by providing water, not by flushing out toxins.

How should you store cherry apricot basil water?

Keep the pitcher covered and refrigerated. Drink the infusion within 24 hours for the best flavor, and discard any remaining infusion by 48 hours or sooner if it becomes cloudy, slimy or sour-smelling.

Straining after the initial steep can make the flavor more consistent during storage. Return the pitcher to the refrigerator after serving rather than leaving it on the counter for an extended period.

How can you vary cherry apricot basil water?

Make the cherry flavor stronger

Use more cherries and fewer apricots while keeping the total prepared fruit close to 1 cup (150 g). This is a useful adjustment if your apricots are especially ripe and flavorful.

Make the apricot flavor stronger

Reverse the balance with more apricots and fewer cherries. Slice the apricots thinly so their flavor has more contact with the water during steeping.

Adjust the basil

Use fewer basil leaves for a milder herbal flavor, or leave the leaves whole instead of tearing them. For a more noticeable basil aroma, gently tear the leaves as directed and taste the infusion after 2 hours.