Cranberry Lime Water: Recipe and How to Make It

Cranberry lime water is water infused with cranberries and lime; it takes 2 hours 10 minutes to prepare and yields about 1 litre (4¼ cups), or four servings. For another combination, try the ai infused water generator.

What is cranberry lime water?

Cranberry lime water is a chilled fruit infusion with a tart, citrusy flavor. Unlike a juice drink, it gets its flavor from fruit steeped in water rather than blended or sweetened fruit.

This recipe builds on cranberry infused water by adding sliced lime. The finished drink is generally lightly flavored and may have only a faint pink tint.

What ingredients and ratio do you need?

For about 1 litre (4¼ cups), use:

Water: 1 litre (4¼ cups), cold
Fresh cranberries: 150 g (about 1 cup)
Lime: 1 lime, about 100 g (about ½ cup sliced)

This ratio uses roughly one cup of berries and one sliced citrus fruit per litre of water. A clear pitcher makes it easy to see the fruit, but any clean, covered container large enough to hold the water and fruit will work.

The lime peel adds aroma, while the white pith can make the water bitter if left in too long. For a milder infusion, remove the peel and pith before adding the lime slices.

How do you make cranberry lime water?

Prep time: 10 minutes
Chilling time: 2 hours
Total time: 2 hours 10 minutes
Yield: About 1 litre (4¼ cups), or four 250-mL servings

Wash your hands, the lime and the cranberries under running water. Use a clean pitcher, knife and cutting board.
Slice the lime into thin rounds. If you prefer less bitterness, remove the peel and white pith first.
Add the cranberries and lime slices to the pitcher, then pour in the cold water.
Cover the pitcher and refrigerate for 2 hours. For a stronger infusion, leave it refrigerated for up to 4 hours.
Remove the lime slices by 4 hours, or strain out all the fruit. Serve the cranberry lime water chilled.

The water will taste tart but not sweet. Taste it after the initial steep; if you want more flavor, give it additional time in the refrigerator before removing the fruit.

Why do cranberries and lime pair well?

Cranberries bring a sharp, fruity tartness, and lime adds a fresh citrus aroma. Together, they give water more flavor without requiring juice or sweetener. If you enjoy the citrus note on its own, see this lime water recipe.

The main benefit of cranberry lime water is hydration. Steeped water is very low in calories, but its precise nutrient content is uncertain: it does not contain all the fiber or nutrients listed for the whole fruit. Squeezing or eating the fruit adds more of its calories.

Drinking water supports normal body functions, including the work of the liver and kidneys, which do most of the body's detoxification. The lungs and gut also help eliminate waste; cranberry lime water does not flush toxins from the body.

How should you store cranberry lime water?

Keep cranberry lime water covered and refrigerated. For the best flavor, drink it within 24 hours; discard it after 2–3 days, or sooner if it becomes cloudy, slimy or sour-smelling.

Remove the lime slices after no more than 4 hours of steeping to limit bitterness from the pith. Do not leave the drink at room temperature for more than a few hours, and use a clean glass each time you pour.

How can you vary cranberry lime water?

Make it milder

Remove the lime peel and pith before steeping, or use fewer lime slices. Start with the 2-hour chilled steep and taste before deciding whether to leave the fruit in longer.

Make it more tart

Lightly press a few washed cranberries before adding the water, or let the covered pitcher steep in the refrigerator for up to 4 hours. Strain out the fruit before serving if you prefer a clearer drink.

Adjust the citrus

Add fewer cranberries if you want the lime flavor to stand out. Keep the total water at 1 litre (4¼ cups) and refrigerate the infusion as directed above.