Cherry Plum Ginger Water: Recipe and Storage

Cherry plum ginger water is a chilled infusion of cherries, plum and fresh ginger that takes 2 hours 10 minutes total and yields about 4 cups.

What is cherry plum ginger water?

Cherry plum ginger water is plain water steeped with cut fruit and sliced ginger. The cherries and plum lend a fruity, gently tart flavor, while ginger adds a warm, peppery note.

It is an infusion, not a blended drink: the fruit sits in the water and can be strained out before serving. For more fruit combinations, browse these berry infused water recipes.

What ingredients and ratio do you need?

Use roughly equal amounts of cherries and plum, plus a small amount of fresh ginger, for a balanced pitcher. This recipe uses about 150 g of chopped fruit for just under 1 litre of water, in line with the general infused-water ratio.

Ingredients

950 mL (4 cups) drinking water
75 g (about 1/2 cup) pitted, halved cherries
75 g (about 1/2 cup) pitted, sliced plum
10 g (about 1 tablespoon, or 1/16 cup) thinly sliced fresh ginger

The finished amount is approximately 4 cups, or four 1-cup servings; it may be a little less after straining. Ripe fruit gives the water more flavor without needing added sweetener. Choose drinking water you like the taste of, since it makes up most of the recipe.

How do you make cherry plum ginger water?

Allow about 10 minutes to prepare the ingredients, then at least 2 hours for the water to steep in the refrigerator.

Wash the cherries, plum and ginger under running water, rubbing the ginger gently to remove any dirt.
Remove the cherry pits and halve the cherries. Cut the plum into slices and discard its pit.
Slice the ginger thinly. Leave the peel on if it is clean, or peel it if you prefer.
Place the cherries, plum and ginger in a clean pitcher. Pour in the 950 mL (4 cups) of drinking water and stir gently.
Cover the pitcher and refrigerate for 2–4 hours. Taste after 2 hours and continue steeping if you want a stronger flavor.
Strain if desired, then serve chilled. Return any remaining water to the refrigerator promptly.

For another combination after making this recipe, try the ai infused water generator.

Why do cherries, plum and ginger pair well?

Cherries give the infusion a bright fruit flavor, while plum adds a softer, sweet-tart note. Ginger keeps the combination from tasting too delicate; thin slices distribute its flavor without needing to blend the ingredients.

The ingredients also make it easy to adjust the pitcher to your taste. Use the fruit balance you enjoy in cherry infused water or plum infused water, then add enough ginger for a gentle kick. For a more ginger-forward flavor, see ginger water.

The main benefit of cherry plum ginger water is hydration, and its flavor may make plain water more appealing. Specific health benefits of this combination have not been established. The liver and kidneys do most of the body's detoxification; this drink supports hydration rather than cleansing the body.

Infused water is also different from eating the whole fruit. Most of the fruit's fiber remains in the pieces, and the amount of nutrients that transfer into the water is uncertain. Steeped water is very low in calories; eating or squeezing the fruit adds more.

How should you store cherry plum ginger water?

Keep the pitcher covered and refrigerated. Drink the water within 24 hours for the best flavor, and discard it after 2–3 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. Use a clean utensil when serving, and remove the fruit if you prefer a clearer drink. Discard the cherry and plum pits rather than adding them to the pitcher.

How can you vary cherry plum ginger water?

Make it milder

Start with half the ginger, about 5 g, if you want the fruit flavors to stand out. You can add the rest and continue steeping in the refrigerator if the first taste is too subtle.

Make it fruitier

Use a little more cherry or plum and less of the other, keeping the total fruit close to the recipe amount. Ripe fruit and smaller slices can make the flavor more noticeable without changing the water.

Add bubbles at serving

Steep the ingredients in still water as directed, then add a splash of sparkling water to each glass just before serving. This keeps the bubbles fresh while preserving the same cherry, plum and ginger combination.