Cherry Apricot Water: Recipe & How to Make It

Cherry apricot water is water infused with cherries and apricots; it takes 2 hours 10 minutes total and yields about 4 cups (960 mL). Try the ai infused water generator to explore another fruit combination.

What is cherry apricot water?

Cherry apricot water is a chilled infusion made by steeping cut fruit in water, then pouring the flavored water off the fruit. Unlike a blended drink, it contains no puréed fruit and does not need added sugar.

The cherries give the water a tart or sweet note, depending on the variety, while apricots add a mellow stone-fruit flavor. Find more ideas in these berry infused water recipes.

What ingredients and ratio do you need?

For a pitcher, use roughly equal amounts of prepared cherries and apricots. Together, they make about 1 cup (150 g) of chopped fruit for 4 cups (960 mL) of water.

Cherries: about 75 g (1/2 cup), pitted and halved
Apricots: about 75 g (1/2 cup), pitted and sliced
Water: 960 mL (4 cups)

Measure the fruit after removing the pits. The weights and cup measures are approximate because the pieces can pack differently; a little more or less of either fruit will still make an infusion.

Choose ripe, sound fruit without mold or spoilage. Sweet or sour cherries both work, although sour cherries will give the finished water a more tart flavor.

How do you make cherry apricot water?

Prep time: 10 minutes
Refrigerator steep: 2–4 hours
Yield: About 4 cups (960 mL), or approximately 4 servings

Wash the cherries and apricots under running water, and use a clean knife, cutting board and pitcher.
Remove and discard the pits. Halve the cherries and slice the apricots; do not crush the pits or eat the apricot kernels.
Add the prepared fruit and water to the pitcher. Cover and refrigerate for 2–4 hours.
Pour the water into glasses, straining out the fruit if you prefer. Keep any remaining cherry apricot water refrigerated.

The recipe is ready after 2 hours; a longer steep within the recommended window gives the fruit more time to flavor the water. The yield is approximate because some water can remain on or around the fruit when you pour it.

Why do cherries and apricots pair well?

Cherries provide a bright flavor that balances the softer, fragrant taste of apricots. Cutting both fruits exposes their flesh to the water, making the infusion more flavorful than leaving them whole.

For a simpler fruit profile, see cherry infused water or apricot infused water. In this recipe, neither fruit needs to be squeezed: the aim is a light fruit taste rather than juice.

The main benefit of cherry apricot water is hydration, and its flavor may make plain water more appealing. Whole cherries and apricots contain fiber and nutrients, but the amount transferred into steeped water is uncertain; eating the fruit provides more fiber than drinking the strained infusion.

Your liver and kidneys do most of the body's detoxification. Cherry apricot water supports hydration, not a special cleanse.

How should you store cherry apricot water?

Keep the pitcher covered in the refrigerator and drink the infusion within 24 hours for the best flavor. Discard it after 2–3 days, or sooner if it becomes unexpectedly cloudy, slimy or sour-smelling.

Do not leave the pitcher at room temperature for more than a few hours. Straining the fruit can change the flavor and texture, but it does not reset the storage time; count from when the water was first prepared.

How can you vary cherry apricot water?

Make the fruit flavor milder

Use less of either fruit while keeping the water amount the same. This is useful if you prefer a subtle infusion; refrigerate it for the same 2–4 hours.

Change the balance

Use more cherries and fewer apricots for a brighter flavor, or reverse the balance for a softer apricot taste. Keep the combined prepared fruit close to 1 cup (150 g) for the recipe's 4 cups (960 mL) of water.

Add mint

Add 8–12 washed mint leaves, about 5 g, to the pitcher with the fruit. Mint adds a fresh note without requiring sweetener; strain the leaves along with the fruit if you prefer a clear glass.

Finish with bubbles

Replace 240 mL (1 cup) of the still water with the same amount of sparkling water. Add the sparkling water just before serving to retain more of its fizz.