Cherry Cucumber Rosemary Water: Easy Recipe

Cherry cucumber rosemary water is a chilled fruit, vegetable and herb infusion that takes about 2 hours 10 minutes, including steeping, and yields approximately 4 cups (960 mL).

What is cherry cucumber rosemary water?

Cherry cucumber rosemary water is plain water flavored with halved cherries, sliced cucumber and fresh rosemary. The ingredients steep in the refrigerator rather than being blended, so the result is a lightly flavored drink without added sweetener.

The cherries lend a fruity note, cucumber keeps the flavor fresh, and rosemary adds a savory aroma. For more fruit combinations, browse these berry infused water recipes.

What ingredients and ratio do you need?

For approximately 4 cups (960 mL) of water, use about 1 cup of pitted cherries, 1 1/2 cups of sliced cucumber and 2 rosemary sprigs. The amounts are flexible: use a little less rosemary if you prefer the fruit and cucumber to lead.

Water: 4 cups (960 mL) of drinking water
Cherries: 1 cup (about 150 g), pitted and halved
Cucumber: 1 1/2 cups (about 150 g), thinly sliced
Fresh rosemary: 2 sprigs (about 5 g, or roughly 2 tablespoons of loosely packed leaves)

Measure the cherries after removing their pits. You can leave the cucumber peel on after washing it; thin slices expose more of the cucumber to the water. Keep the rosemary on its sprigs so it is easy to remove before serving.

How do you make cherry cucumber rosemary water?

Wash the cherries, cucumber and rosemary under running water. Use a clean pitcher with a lid.
Pit and halve the cherries, then thinly slice the cucumber. Discard the pits; do not crush them.
Add the cherries and cucumber to the pitcher. Gently press the rosemary sprigs between your fingers to release their aroma, then add them.
Pour in the water and stir gently. Cover the pitcher and refrigerate it for 2 hours; steep for up to 4 hours for a fuller flavor.
Taste the water and remove the rosemary when its flavor suits you. Strain out the remaining ingredients if you like, then serve the water chilled.

To plan another combination after making this recipe, try the AI infused water generator.

The yield is approximate because some water may remain with the ingredients when strained. If the flavor is too subtle after the first taste, leave the covered pitcher in the refrigerator a little longer within the suggested steeping time.

Why do cherry, cucumber and rosemary pair well?

Cherries bring tart or sweet fruit flavor, depending on the variety. If you enjoy that note on its own, cherry infused water is a simpler way to use the fruit.

Cucumber has a mild, fresh taste that makes the cherry and rosemary less intense. Its crisp character is also the focus of cucumber water.

Rosemary contributes a pine-like aroma, so a small amount can make the pitcher taste noticeably herbal. Use a lighter hand if you are unfamiliar with it; rosemary water offers a more herb-forward option.

The main benefit of this drink is hydration. Steeping transfers some flavor into the water, but it does not provide the same amount of fiber or nutrients as eating the whole ingredients. The liver and kidneys do most of the body's detoxification; infused water supports hydration rather than flushing toxins.

How should you store it?

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

Do not leave the pitcher at room temperature for more than a few hours. Removing the ingredients after steeping makes the flavor easier to control, but it does not extend the recommended storage time.

How can you vary the recipe?

Make it milder

Use 1 rosemary sprig instead of 2 and taste after 2 hours. You can remove the herb at that point while leaving the cherries and cucumber in the pitcher for a little longer.

Bring out the cherries

Use a few more pitted, halved cherries and keep the rosemary amount modest. Choose sweet cherries for a softer fruit flavor or sour cherries for a more tart infusion; neither needs added sugar.

Emphasize the cucumber

Add a few extra cucumber slices and use just 1 rosemary sprig. Slice the cucumber thinly, then chill the covered pitcher for 2–4 hours as in the main recipe.