Cherry Apricot Thyme Water: Recipe and Storage

Cherry apricot thyme water is a chilled fruit-and-herb infusion that takes 2 hours 10 minutes to prepare and yields about 4 cups (950 mL).

What is cherry apricot thyme water?

Cherry apricot thyme water is drinking water steeped with sliced cherries, apricots and fresh thyme. The fruit gives it a gently sweet, tart flavor, while thyme adds a subtle herbal note without making the drink taste like tea.

It is a simple way to make plain water more interesting without blending or juicing the fruit. For more fruit combinations, browse these berry infused water recipes.

What ingredients and ratio do you need?

For approximately four 1-cup servings, use:

Cold drinking water: 4 cups (950 mL)
Cherries: 1/2 cup (about 75 g), pitted and halved
Apricots: 1/2 cup (about 75 g), pitted and sliced
Fresh thyme: 2 sprigs (about 5 g)

This ratio uses about 1 cup (150 g) of fruit for roughly 1 liter of water. Choose ripe fruit for the fullest flavor; either sweet or sour cherries will work, though sour cherries give the infusion a tarter taste.

Use a clean pitcher or jar with enough room for the water and fruit. A lid helps keep the infusion covered in the refrigerator.

How do you make cherry apricot thyme water?

Wash the cherries, apricots and thyme under running water.
Remove the fruit pits, then halve the cherries and slice the apricots. Discard the pits.
Add the fruit and thyme to a clean pitcher, then pour in 4 cups (950 mL) of cold drinking water.
Cover and refrigerate for 2 hours. For a stronger infusion, steep for up to 4 hours.
Strain the water if you prefer, or serve it with the fruit and thyme still in the pitcher. Pour into glasses and keep any remaining water refrigerated.

The 2-hour steep is included in the total preparation time; a 4-hour steep takes about 4 hours 10 minutes in total. Try the ai infused water generator for another combination.

Why do cherry, apricot and thyme pair well?

Cherries provide a sweet-tart base, and apricots add a softer, mellow fruit flavor. Thyme brings an earthy, aromatic contrast, so a small amount is enough to make the fruit taste more complex. If you enjoy the cherry flavor most, see the guide to cherry infused water.

The apricot slices contribute both flavor and color; explore apricot infused water for a simpler version. Fresh thyme is less intense here than in a concentrated herbal preparation, as explained in the guide to thyme water.

The main benefit of cherry apricot thyme water is hydration. Whole cherries and apricots contain nutrients and fiber, but the amount transferred into steeped water is not established; most of the fiber remains in the fruit. The liver and kidneys do most of the body's detoxification, while the lungs and gut help eliminate waste. This drink supports hydration, not a special detox process.

How should you store cherry apricot thyme water?

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

Refrigerate it promptly rather than leaving it on the counter to steep. You can strain out the fruit and thyme after the steeping period if you prefer a clearer drink, but continue to refrigerate the water and follow the same storage limit.

How can you vary cherry apricot thyme water?

Adjust the fruit balance

Use more cherries and fewer apricots for a tarter drink, or reverse the ratio for a milder fruit flavor. Keep the combined fruit amount near 1 cup (150 g) for the same volume of water.

Make the thyme flavor lighter

Start with 1 thyme sprig instead of 2 if you want the fruit to lead. Remove the sprig after steeping if the herbal flavor is strong enough.

Serve it with ice

Pour the finished infusion over ice for a colder drink. Ice will dilute the flavor as it melts, so consider the longer refrigerated steep if you prefer a more noticeable fruit taste.