Cherry Watermelon Basil Water: Easy Infused Water Recipe

Cherry watermelon basil water is a chilled fruit-and-herb infusion that takes 2 hours 10 minutes total and yields about 4 cups (950 mL), or 4 servings. For another combination, use the ai infused water generator.

What is cherry watermelon basil water?

Cherry watermelon basil water is water steeped with pitted cherries, cubed watermelon and fresh basil. The fruit lends a mild sweetness and pink color, while the basil adds a fresh herbal aroma.

Unlike a blended drink, the fruit is left in pieces and can be strained out before serving. It is one option alongside these berry infused water recipes when you want a flavored pitcher without added sweetener.

What ingredients and ratio do you need?

For a balanced pitcher, use roughly equal amounts of cherry and watermelon, plus a small handful of basil. The combined fruit amount is about 1 cup per 4 cups of water, so the finished drink tastes lightly infused rather than like juice.

Recipe details

• Prep time: 10 minutes
• Refrigerated steeping time: 2 hours
• Total time: 2 hours 10 minutes
• Yield: About 4 cups (950 mL), or 4 servings

Ingredients

• 950 mL (4 cups) drinking water
• 75 g (about 1/2 cup) pitted cherries, halved
• 75 g (about 1/2 cup) watermelon, cut into small cubes
• 5 g (about 1/4 cup loosely packed, or 8–12 leaves) fresh basil

Use ripe watermelon for its natural sweetness. Sweet or sour cherries both work; sour cherries will give the water a tarter flavor. Cup measures are approximate because the size of the fruit pieces and basil leaves varies.

How do you make cherry watermelon basil water?

1. Wash your hands and rinse the cherries, watermelon and basil under running water. Use a clean pitcher and utensils.
2. Prepare the fruit: remove and discard the cherry pits, halve the cherries, and cut the watermelon flesh into small cubes.
3. Add the cherries and watermelon to the pitcher. Lightly press the basil leaves between your fingers and add them without tearing them into tiny pieces.
4. Pour the water over the fruit and basil, then stir gently. Cover the pitcher.
5. Refrigerate for 2 hours. For a stronger infusion, leave it in the refrigerator for up to 4 hours before serving.
6. Serve chilled, pouring through a strainer if you prefer a clear drink. Keep any remaining water refrigerated.

Halving the cherries and cubing the watermelon expose more of the fruit to the water. Pressing the basil gently helps release its aroma without filling the pitcher with small leaf fragments.

Why do cherry, watermelon and basil pair well?

The cherries bring a concentrated fruit flavor, while the watermelon softens it with a lighter, mellow sweetness. If you want to emphasize the cherry flavor in another pitcher, try cherry infused water; for a milder fruit base, see watermelon infused water.

Basil adds a fragrant contrast that keeps the combination from tasting solely fruity. You can also explore its flavor on its own in basil water.

The main benefit of cherry watermelon basil water is that it can make drinking water more appealing. Cherries and watermelon contain nutrients, but the amount that transfers into steeped water is not known; eating the fruit is different from drinking the strained infusion. Hydration supports normal body functions, including those of the liver and kidneys, which do most of the body's detoxification.

How should you store cherry watermelon basil water?

Keep the pitcher covered and refrigerated, including while it steeps. For the best flavor, drink the water within 24 hours of combining the ingredients. Discard it after 2–3 days, or sooner if it becomes cloudy, slimy or sour-smelling.

You can strain out the fruit and basil after steeping if you prefer a cleaner taste or want to remove the leaves before serving. Straining does not reset the storage time: count from when you first combined the ingredients. Do not leave the pitcher at room temperature for more than a few hours.

How can you vary cherry watermelon basil water?

Make the fruit flavor stronger

Gently press a few watermelon cubes against the side of the pitcher before adding the water. This releases more juice and pulp, so the result will be less like a clear infusion and may contain more of the fruit's sugars.

Adjust the basil

Use fewer basil leaves for a subtler herbal note, or press the leaves a little more firmly for a more noticeable aroma. Taste after the initial refrigerated steep before deciding whether you want a stronger basil flavor next time.

Serve it clearer

Strain the finished water into glasses and leave the fruit and herbs in the pitcher. If you prefer the pieces in your glass, check that every cherry has been pitted before serving.

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