Cranberry Peach Basil Water: Easy Pitcher Recipe

Cranberry peach basil water is a fruit-and-herb-infused drink that takes 2 hours 10 minutes, including chilling, and makes about 4 cups (950 mL).

For another combination, try the ai infused water generator.

What is cranberry peach basil water?

Cranberry peach basil water is plain water steeped with cranberries, sliced peach and fresh basil. The result is lightly flavored rather than as sweet or concentrated as juice.

It is one of many berry infused water recipes you can make in a pitcher. This version needs no blender or added sweetener: the fruit and herbs flavor the water as they chill.

What ingredients and ratio do you need?

For approximately four 1-cup servings, use:

Water: 950 mL (4 cups)
Cranberries: about 50 g (1/2 cup), fresh or plain frozen
Peach: about 75 g (1/2 cup), sliced with the pit removed
Fresh basil: about 5 g (1/4 cup loosely packed, or roughly 8–12 leaves)

The fruit measures are approximate; the size of the pieces affects how they fit in a cup. Use ripe peach for a more noticeable aroma, and choose plain frozen cranberries without added sugar if fresh ones are unavailable.

This ratio gives the water a gentle flavor. You can adjust the fruit or basil in a later pitcher without changing the amount of water.

How do you make cranberry peach basil water?

Prep time: 10 minutes
Refrigerated steep: 2 hours, or up to 4 hours for fuller flavor
Yield: About 4 cups (950 mL)

Wash the fresh cranberries, peach and basil under running water, and use a clean pitcher.
Slice the peach and discard its pit. Halve or lightly press the cranberries to expose some of their flesh.
Add the cranberries, peach and basil to the pitcher. Press the basil leaves gently between your fingers first to release their aroma.
Pour in the water and stir gently without squeezing the fruit.
Refrigerate for 2–4 hours, then taste and strain if you like. Serve cold, with or without the fruit and basil in the glass.

Start tasting after 2 hours. If you prefer a stronger infusion, leave the pitcher in the refrigerator for the longer end of the steeping range. The drink will remain lighter in flavor than a blended fruit drink.

Why do cranberry, peach and basil work together?

Cranberries add a tart edge, while peach contributes a softer, fruity aroma. The peach can make the combination seem sweeter, although simply steeping it does not make the drink as sweet as peach juice. For a sharper fruit flavor, explore cranberry infused water; for a softer one, see peach infused water.

Basil brings a fresh herbal note that balances the fruit. Gently pressing the leaves helps release their aroma without shredding them into the drink; learn more about basil water.

The main benefit of cranberry peach basil water is hydration. Its fruit and herbs add flavor, but the amount of nutrients that transfers into the water is uncertain. Eating the fruit adds its nutrients and calories; those amounts should not be counted as part of the strained water.

How should you store cranberry peach basil water?

Keep cranberry peach basil water refrigerated and drink it within 24 hours for the best flavor. You can strain out the fruit and basil once the flavor suits you, then return the water to the refrigerator.

Discard the drink after 2–3 days, or sooner if it becomes cloudy, slimy or sour-smelling. Keep it cold when serving rather than leaving the pitcher out on the counter.

How can you vary cranberry peach basil water?

Make it more fruit-forward

Add a little more sliced peach or a few more cranberries to the same amount of water. More peach emphasizes the soft fruit aroma; more cranberry makes the flavor tarter. Taste the chilled water before adding more, since the infusion develops over time.

Adjust the basil

Use fewer leaves for a subtler herbal flavor, or add a few more if you want basil to stand out. Keep the leaves whole or gently pressed so they are easy to strain.

Use frozen fruit

Plain frozen cranberries work when fresh cranberries are out of season. Add them directly to the pitcher and follow the same refrigerated steeping and storage instructions.