Kiwi Apricot Basil Water: Recipe & How to Make It

Kiwi apricot basil water is a fruit-and-herb-infused drink that takes 2 hours 10 minutes to prepare, including chilling, and yields about 950 mL (4 cups).

What is kiwi apricot basil water?

Kiwi apricot basil water is plain water chilled with sliced kiwi, apricot and fresh basil. The ingredients lend it a light fruit flavor and herbal aroma without requiring sweetener.

It is one of many tropical fruit infused water recipes you can make in a pitcher. The flavor comes from steeping rather than blending, so the finished drink remains mostly clear.

What ingredients and ratio do you need?

For approximately 4 servings, use:

Water: 950 mL (4 cups), preferably cold drinking water
Kiwi: approximately 75 g (about 1/2 cup), peeled and sliced
Apricot: approximately 75 g (about 1/2 cup), pitted and sliced
Fresh basil: approximately 5 g (about 1/4 cup loosely packed, or 8–12 leaves)

The fruit amounts are approximate: fruit size and how tightly slices fit into a cup will vary. Together, the kiwi and apricot make about 150 g (1 cup) of fruit for just under 1 liter of water, with enough basil to add aroma without dominating the fruit.

Choose ripe fruit for the fullest flavor, but avoid pieces that are bruised or spoiled. A ripe apricot should have a pleasant aroma and yield slightly when gently pressed; kiwi should also yield slightly rather than feel hard.

How do you make kiwi apricot basil water?

Wash the kiwi, apricot and basil under running water, and use a clean pitcher and utensils.
Peel the kiwi if desired, then slice it. Cut the apricot in half, remove the pit and slice the flesh.
Place the kiwi and apricot in the pitcher. Gently press the basil leaves between your fingers and add them without tearing them into small pieces.
Pour in 950 mL (4 cups) of cold drinking water and cover the pitcher.
Refrigerate for 2 hours; steep for up to 4 hours if you prefer a more pronounced flavor.
Serve chilled, with the fruit and basil in the pitcher or strained out. Divide into approximately 4 glasses.

To adjust the fruit and herb mix for another pitcher, try the ai infused water generator.

Why do kiwi, apricot and basil pair well?

Kiwi brings a bright, tart note, while ripe apricot adds a softer, sweet-fruit aroma. If you like the sharper side of this combination, kiwi water puts that flavor first; apricot infused water has a gentler fruit profile.

Basil adds a fresh herbal scent that balances both fruits. Gently pressing the leaves helps release their aroma; crushing them thoroughly can leave small pieces in the drink. For a simpler herbal infusion, see basil water.

The main benefit of this drink is hydration. Kiwi and apricot contain nutrients when eaten, but the amount that transfers into the water is uncertain; most of their fiber stays in the fruit. There is no specific evidence that this combination has a special detox effect. The liver and kidneys do most of the body's detoxification, while the lungs and gut help eliminate waste.

How should you store it?

Keep kiwi apricot basil water covered and refrigerated. Drink it within 24 hours for the best flavor, and discard it after 2 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. If the basil flavor is strong enough after steeping, strain out the leaves before returning the water to the refrigerator.

How can you vary kiwi apricot basil water?

Make it more fruit-forward

Use the same total amount of fruit but increase the apricot and reduce the kiwi for a softer flavor. Reverse the proportions if you prefer a brighter, tarter drink.

Use less basil

Start with a few basil leaves if you want only a faint herbal note. You can taste the water after chilling and add more washed basil if needed, then refrigerate it again to infuse.

Change the texture

Strain the finished water for a clear drink, or leave the sliced fruit in the pitcher for a more colorful presentation. Avoid blending the fruit if you want a light infusion rather than a thicker drink.