Cherry Cranberry Lavender Water Recipe

Cherry cranberry lavender water is a chilled fruit-and-flower infusion that takes 2 hours 10 minutes in total and yields about 4 cups (960 mL).

For another combination, try the ai infused water generator.

What is cherry cranberry lavender water?

Cherry cranberry lavender water is water steeped with cut cherries, cranberries and a small amount of culinary lavender. It has a light fruit flavor, a tart edge and a floral aroma; it is not as concentrated as juice.

It is one of many berry infused water recipes you can make without a blender. The fruit and lavender steep in the refrigerator, then are strained out before serving.

What ingredients and ratio do you need?

Use roughly twice as much cherry as cranberry by weight. The combined fruit is about 150 g for nearly 1 liter of water, while a small pinch of lavender keeps the floral note from dominating.

Water: 960 mL (about 4 cups)
Pitted cherries: about 100 g (about 2/3 cup), fresh
Cranberries: about 50 g (about 1/2 cup), fresh
Dried culinary lavender buds: about 0.2 g (1/4 teaspoon)

Choose lavender sold for culinary use, not decorative flowers or lavender essential oil. Sweet or sour cherries both work: sweet cherries make a rounder-tasting infusion, while sour cherries add more tang.

How do you make cherry cranberry lavender water?

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

Rinse the cherries and cranberries under running water. Remove the cherry stems and pits, then halve the cherries.
Cut the cranberries in half so their interiors are exposed to the water.
Place the fruit and culinary lavender in a clean pitcher. Pour in the water and stir gently.
Cover the pitcher and refrigerate for 2 hours. For a stronger flavor, taste it and refrigerate for up to 4 hours in total; this will extend the total preparation time.
Strain out the fruit and lavender, then serve the water chilled.

A fine-mesh strainer helps catch the small lavender buds. If you prefer, place the lavender in a food-safe tea infuser before steeping so it is easier to remove.

Why do cherry, cranberry and lavender pair well?

Cherry gives the water a mellow fruit flavor, while cranberry brings a sharper, tart contrast. Lavender adds an aromatic finish, so a little goes a long way. If you enjoy the cherry note most, explore cherry infused water; for more tartness, see cranberry infused water. The floral ingredient is also used in lavender water.

The main practical benefit of cherry cranberry lavender water is hydration. Cherries and cranberries contain nutrients as whole fruit, but the amount that transfers into steeped water is uncertain; do not count the whole fruit's nutrients as those of the strained drink.

The liver and kidneys do most of the body's detoxification, while the lungs and gut also help eliminate waste. Water supports hydration; this infusion does not cleanse the body or replace medical care.

How should you store cherry cranberry lavender water?

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

Refrigerate the pitcher promptly rather than leaving it on the counter to steep. Straining after the infusion has reached the flavor you like makes serving easier, but it does not extend the recommended storage period.

How can you vary cherry cranberry lavender water?

Adjust the fruit balance

Use a little more cherry for a softer fruit flavor or more cranberry for a tarter one. Keep the total amount of fruit close to the recipe amount so the water remains lightly infused.

Make the floral note subtler

Start with less culinary lavender if you are unsure of its flavor. You can also taste the water during the refrigerated steep and remove the lavender once its aroma is noticeable, leaving the fruit to continue infusing.

Serve it over ice

Pour the strained infusion over ice for a colder drink. The melting ice will gradually dilute the flavor, so taste the water before adding it.