Kiwi Lime Basil Water: Recipe & How to Make It

Kiwi lime basil water is a chilled fruit-and-herb infusion that takes 2 hours 10 minutes to make and yields about 1 liter (4¼ cups).

For a customized pitcher, try the ai infused water generator. You can also find more combinations in these tropical fruit infused water recipes.

What is kiwi lime basil water?

Kiwi lime basil water is plain water infused with sliced kiwi, lime and fresh basil. The fruit and herbs sit in cold water in the refrigerator, giving it a light flavor without a blender or added sweetener.

The result is subtler than juice: kiwi adds a mellow fruitiness, lime contributes tartness, and basil lends a fresh herbal aroma. You can serve it with the ingredients in the pitcher or strain them out before pouring.

What ingredients and ratios do you need?

This recipe makes about 1 liter, or roughly 4 servings. The quantities are approximate because fruit and basil leaves vary in size.

Water: 1,000 ml (about 4¼ cups), cold
Kiwi: 150 g (about 1 cup), peeled and sliced
Lime: 1 lime, about 100 g (about ⅔ cup sliced)
Fresh basil: 8–12 leaves, about 5 g (about ¼ cup loosely packed)

Use a pitcher large enough to hold the water and produce. Ripe but firm kiwi is easiest to slice; very soft kiwi can make the water cloudier as it steeps.

How do you make kiwi lime basil water?

Allow about 10 minutes for preparation and 2 hours for the initial refrigerated steep.

Rinse the kiwi, lime and basil under running water. Use clean hands and a clean pitcher, knife and cutting board.
Peel the kiwi and cut it into slices. Slice the lime thinly, leaving the peel on for the initial steep.
Bruise the basil leaves gently between your fingers to release their aroma. Leave the leaves whole rather than chopping them into small pieces.
Add the kiwi, lime and basil to the pitcher. Pour in the cold water and stir gently.
Cover the pitcher and refrigerate for 2 hours. Taste it, then steep for up to 2 more hours if you want a stronger flavor.
Remove the lime slices by 4 hours to limit bitterness from the peel and pith. Strain out the remaining ingredients if you prefer, and serve chilled.

For a less tart drink, start tasting at the 2-hour mark. You can remove the lime while leaving the kiwi and basil in the pitcher for the remainder of the steep.

Why do kiwi, lime and basil work together?

Kiwi brings a soft, fruity flavor, while lime adds a sharper citrus note. Basil balances both with an aromatic finish; bruising the leaves helps their flavor reach the water without leaving lots of small pieces to strain.

The main benefit of kiwi lime basil water is hydration. Raw kiwi provides vitamin C and fiber, but steeped water does not contain all the nutrients in the fruit, particularly its fiber; eating the kiwi is different from drinking the infusion.

This drink does not provide a special detox. The liver and kidneys do most of the body's detoxification, while the lungs and gut also help eliminate waste. For simpler versions of the same flavors, see kiwi water, lime water and basil water.

How should you store kiwi lime basil water?

Keep the pitcher refrigerated and drink the water within 24 hours for the best flavor. Discard it after 2–3 days at the latest, or sooner if it becomes cloudy or slimy or smells sour. Do not leave it at room temperature for more than a few hours.

Remove the lime by 4 hours even if you plan to keep the water longer. Straining the other ingredients can make the drink easier to pour, but it does not replace refrigeration.

How can you vary kiwi lime basil water?

For a gentler citrus flavor, use fewer lime slices or remove them after the first 2 hours. For a more prominent herbal aroma, gently bruise the basil before adding it rather than tearing it finely.

You can also adjust the kiwi to taste: use less for a lighter infusion, or add more sliced kiwi for a fruitier pitcher. Squeezing the fruit into the water changes it from a simple steeped infusion and adds more of the fruit's calories.

Avoid this drink if you are allergic to any of its ingredients. Seek urgent medical help if a reaction involves trouble breathing or swelling of the mouth or throat.