Cherry Pineapple Basil Water: Easy Recipe

Cherry pineapple basil water is a fruit-and-herb infused water that takes 2 hours 10 minutes to prepare and yields about 1 liter, or 4 servings. For another combination, try the ai infused water generator.

What is cherry pineapple basil water?

Cherry pineapple basil water is cold water steeped with pitted cherries, pineapple pieces and fresh basil. The cherries bring a gently tart or sweet fruit flavor, the pineapple adds a tropical note, and the basil gives the drink a fresh, herbal finish.

It is a simple variation on berry infused water recipes, with no blending required. The finished water has a lighter flavor than juice because the fruit is steeped rather than puréed.

What ingredients and ratio do you need?

For about 4 servings, use:

Water: 1 liter (about 4¼ US cups), cold
Cherries: 75 g (about ½ cup), pitted and halved
Pineapple: 75 g (about ½ cup), peeled and cut into small pieces
Fresh basil: 5 g (about ¼ cup loosely packed, or 8–12 leaves)

The starting ratio is about 1 cup of chopped fruit and 8–12 basil leaves per liter of water. The cup measurements are approximate: fruit pieces and basil leaves vary in size, so use the weights if you have a kitchen scale.

Fresh sweet or sour cherries both work. Sweet cherries give a softer fruit flavor, while sour cherries make the water a little more tart. Choose ripe pineapple for a fragrant infusion; it does not need to be especially soft.

How do you make cherry pineapple basil water?

Active prep: 10 minutes
Chilling time: 2–4 hours
Yield: About 1 liter, or 4 servings

Wash the cherries, pineapple exterior and basil under running water. Use a clean knife, cutting board and pitcher.
Prepare the fruit by removing the cherry stems and pits, then halving the cherries. Peel and core the pineapple, and cut the flesh into small pieces.
Bruise the basil gently between your fingers to release its aroma without tearing it into tiny pieces.
Combine the cherries, pineapple and basil in the pitcher. Pour in the cold water and stir gently.
Refrigerate for 2–4 hours. Taste after 2 hours and leave it longer if you prefer a stronger flavor.
Strain the ingredients when the flavor suits you, or leave them in the pitcher while serving. Pour into glasses and enjoy cold.

For a clear drink, avoid crushing the fruit. If you prefer more fruit flavor, gently press a few pieces against the side of the pitcher; squeezing or eating the fruit adds more of its calories than simply steeping it.

Why do cherries, pineapple and basil work together?

Cherries give the water its main fruit flavor and may lend it a subtle pink tint. If you enjoy that note, cherry infused water focuses on the same ingredient in a simpler combination.

Pineapple brings sweetness and acidity that balance the cherries, while basil adds an aromatic contrast. Explore pineapple infused water or basil water for more ways to use each ingredient.

The main benefit of this recipe is that it makes water more flavorful, which may make it easier to drink. Whole fruit contains nutrients and fiber, but the amount that transfers into steeped water is uncertain; eat the fruit if you want its fiber. The liver and kidneys do most of the body's detoxification, while the lungs and gut also help eliminate waste.

How should you store cherry pineapple basil water?

Keep the pitcher refrigerated and drink the water within 24 hours for the best flavor. Discard it after 2–3 days, or sooner if it becomes cloudy or slimy or develops an unusually sour smell.

Refrigerate the pitcher promptly rather than leaving it at room temperature. Use a clean utensil to remove fruit or basil, and avoid repeatedly topping up an old batch: make a fresh pitcher instead.

How can you vary cherry pineapple basil water?

Make the cherry flavor stronger

Use a little more cherry and a little less pineapple, keeping the total fruit close to 1 cup per liter. Halving the cherries exposes their cut surfaces without turning the drink into a purée.

Let the pineapple stand out

Reverse the fruit proportions, using more pineapple and fewer cherries. Keep the basil modest so its aroma does not overpower the fruit, and taste the water after 2 hours.

Adjust the basil

For a milder herbal flavor, start with fewer basil leaves. For a more noticeable basil aroma, use the full 8–12 leaves and gently bruise them before adding the water.