Cherry Cranberry Basil Water: Easy Infused Water Recipe

Cherry cranberry basil water is a fruit-and-herb-infused drink that takes 2 hours 10 minutes to prepare and yields about 4 cups (950 mL). For a different combination, try the ai infused water generator.

What is cherry cranberry basil water?

Cherry cranberry basil water is plain water steeped with cherries, cranberries and fresh basil. The cherries add a fruity note, the cranberries bring tartness, and the basil gives the drink a fresh herbal aroma.

Unlike a smoothie, the fruit is not blended into the water. It is one of many berry infused water recipes that add flavor without requiring juice or sweetener.

What ingredients and ratio do you need?

This recipe uses about 1 cup of fruit and a small handful of basil for approximately 1 liter of water. Measure the cherries after removing their pits.

Cherries: 100 g (about 2/3 cup) pitted cherries, fresh or frozen
Cranberries: 50 g (about 1/2 cup) cranberries, fresh or frozen
Fresh basil: 5 g (about 1/4 cup loosely packed, or roughly 8–12 leaves)
Water: 950 mL (4 cups)

Use sweet or sour cherries according to what you have. Unsweetened frozen fruit works, too; check its package and follow any preparation instructions. Because fruit and herb sizes vary, the cup measurements are approximate.

Choose a clean pitcher or jar large enough to hold the water and fruit without overflowing. A lid helps protect the drink from other flavors in the refrigerator.

How do you make cherry cranberry basil water?

Active prep: 10 minutes
Refrigerated steep: 2 hours
Total time: 2 hours 10 minutes
Yield: About 4 cups (950 mL)

Rinse fresh cherries, cranberries and basil under running water.
Pit the cherries if needed, then halve them. Halve or lightly crush the cranberries to expose their flesh.
Bruise the basil leaves gently between your fingers, then add them to the pitcher with the fruit.
Pour in the water and stir gently. Cover the pitcher and refrigerate for 2 hours; steep for up to 4 hours if you prefer a stronger flavor.
Strain out the fruit and basil if desired, then serve the water chilled.

Taste the water after the initial steep. If the basil is strong enough but you want more fruit flavor, remove the leaves and leave the fruit in a little longer. Straining also makes the drink easier to pour, though leaving the fruit in the pitcher is fine while it remains refrigerated.

Why do cherry, cranberry and basil pair well?

Cherries provide the rounded fruit flavor in this recipe. Sour cherries make the drink tangier, while sweet cherries give it a softer taste; either can be used in cherry infused water.

Cranberries contribute a sharper, tart note that keeps the cherry flavor from tasting too soft. Cutting or crushing them exposes more of the fruit to the water, as it does when making cranberry infused water.

Basil adds an aromatic contrast to both fruits. Bruising the leaves releases their aroma without chopping them into small pieces; for a simpler herbal infusion, see basil water.

The main benefit of cherry cranberry basil water is hydration. The fruit and basil contain plant compounds, but the amounts transferred into the water are unknown, and this particular drink has not been shown to prevent or treat disease. If you eat the fruit, you also consume its fiber; strained water does not provide the same fiber as whole fruit.

How should you store cherry cranberry basil water?

Keep cherry cranberry basil water covered and refrigerated, and drink it within 24 hours for the best flavor. Discard it after 2 days, or sooner if it becomes cloudy, slimy or sour-smelling.

Return the pitcher to the refrigerator promptly after serving. Do not leave it at room temperature for more than a few hours. If you prefer a milder flavor during storage, strain out the fruit and herbs after steeping.

How can you vary cherry cranberry basil water?

Make it fruitier

Add a little more cherry and reduce the cranberry by the same amount. Keeping the total fruit close to 150 g makes the ratio similar to the original recipe.

Make it tarter

Use sour cherries or shift the fruit balance toward cranberries. Taste after 2 hours before deciding whether to steep it longer.

Make the basil milder

Use fewer basil leaves, or remove them after the water reaches a flavor you like. You can leave the fruit in for the remainder of the refrigerated steep.