Cherry Plum Thyme Water: Easy Infused Water Recipe

Cherry plum thyme water is water infused with cherries, plum, and fresh thyme; it takes 2 hours 10 minutes in total and yields about 4 cups, or four servings.

What is cherry plum thyme water?

Cherry plum thyme water is a chilled fruit-and-herb infusion with a gently tart, floral flavor. The fruit and thyme steep in water rather than being blended, so the finished drink is lighter than juice.

This combination is a useful starting point if you enjoy berry infused water recipes but want a little herbal flavor. Most of the preparation time is hands-off: allow 10 minutes to prepare the ingredients and at least 2 hours for them to steep in the refrigerator.

The water takes on a subtle fruit flavor rather than the sweetness of a fruit juice. The flavor will vary with the ripeness and tartness of the fruit and how long you steep it.

What ingredients and ratio do you need?

For about four 240 ml (1 cup) servings, you’ll need:

960 ml (4 cups) cold drinking water
75 g (about 1/2 cup) pitted cherries, halved
75 g (about 1/2 cup) pitted plum, thinly sliced
5 g (about 2 tablespoons or 1/8 cup, loosely packed, or 2 large sprigs) fresh thyme

The fruit adds up to approximately 150 g (1 cup) for nearly 1 liter of water. Use ripe fruit for the fullest flavor; sweet or sour cherries both work, depending on how tart you like the drink.

Measure the fruit after removing the pits. A clean pitcher or covered jar large enough to hold the water and fruit makes it easy to refrigerate and serve the infusion.

How do you make cherry plum thyme water?

Rinse the cherries, plum, and thyme under cool running water.
Pit the cherries and plum, then halve the cherries and thinly slice the plum. Discard the pits.
Place the fruit and thyme in a clean pitcher or covered jar. Press the thyme gently to release its aroma without tearing it into small pieces.
Pour in the water and stir gently. Cover the container.
Refrigerate for 2–4 hours. Taste after 2 hours and leave it longer if you prefer a stronger infusion.
Strain if desired, then pour into glasses. Keep any remaining water refrigerated.

For another combination using the same method, try the ai infused water generator.

The yield is approximate because the fruit can retain a little water. You can serve the fruit in the glasses or remove it after steeping; leaving it in makes the flavor more pronounced over time.

Cutting the plum into thin slices exposes more of its flesh to the water. If you prefer a clearer drink, strain out the fruit and thyme before serving rather than pressing or blending them.

Why do cherry, plum, and thyme pair well?

Cherry brings a sweet-tart note, while plum adds a softer, rounded fruit flavor. Thyme contributes an aromatic, slightly savory edge that balances the fruit.

For a simpler fruit flavor, explore cherry infused water or plum infused water; for the herb on its own, see thyme water.

The main benefit of cherry plum thyme water is hydration. There is no established evidence that this particular infusion provides a special health or detox benefit. The liver and kidneys do most of the body’s detoxification, while the lungs and gut also help eliminate waste.

Steeped water is very low in calories, usually under 10 kcal per glass. It does not contain all the nutrients in the whole fruit; eating the fruit or squeezing it into the water adds more of its calories and nutrients.

How should you store cherry plum thyme water?

Keep cherry plum thyme water covered and refrigerated, and drink it within 24 hours for the best flavor. Discard any remainder by 48 hours, or sooner if it becomes cloudy, slimy, or sour-smelling.

Return the pitcher to the refrigerator after serving rather than leaving it out for more than a few hours. Use a clean utensil when removing fruit, and discard the infusion if you’re unsure how long it has been left out.

Straining the fruit does not extend the recommended storage time. If you make the infusion ahead, note when you prepared it so you can use it while it is fresh.

How can you vary cherry plum thyme water?

Make it fruitier

Use a little more cherry and a little less plum while keeping the total fruit close to 150 g (1 cup). This emphasizes the cherry flavor without changing the water-to-fruit ratio much.

Make thyme more subtle

Start with one thyme sprig instead of two, then taste after 2 hours. You can remove the sprig before serving if the herb flavor is already strong enough.

Add a little more texture

Serve the infused water with some of the sliced fruit instead of straining it. Eat the fruit with a spoon if you like, remembering that its calories and nutrients are separate from those of the steeped water.