Mango Apple Basil Water: Recipe and How to Make It

Mango apple basil water is a fruit-and-herb infusion that takes 2 hours 10 minutes in total and makes about 4 cups (960 mL).

What is mango apple basil water?

Mango apple basil water is chilled drinking water flavored with sliced mango, apple and fresh basil. The fruit and herbs steep in the water rather than being blended into it, so the finished drink is light and refreshing rather than thick like a smoothie.

It is one of many tropical fruit infused water recipes you can make in a pitcher. The mango brings a tropical note, while the apple and basil keep the flavor crisp and herbal.

What ingredients and ratio do you need?

For about four 1-cup servings, use approximately equal amounts of mango and apple, plus a small handful of basil. The measurements below are approximate: the size and shape of the fruit pieces will affect how much fits in a cup.

960 mL (4 cups) drinking water
75 g (about 1/2 cup) peeled, sliced or cubed ripe mango
75 g (about 1/2 cup) thinly sliced apple, cored
5 g (about 1/4 cup loosely packed, or 8–12 leaves) fresh basil

Choose a ripe mango that smells fragrant and gives slightly when pressed. A crisp apple holds its shape well; leave the skin on for color after washing it. Use fresh, unwilted basil for the clearest herbal flavor.

This ratio uses about 1 cup of fruit for nearly 1 liter of water. You can adjust the fruit to taste, but start with the amount listed so that no single ingredient overwhelms the others.

How do you make mango apple basil water?

Allow 10 minutes for preparation and at least 2 hours for refrigerated steeping.

Wash the mango, apple and basil under running water. Wash your hands and use a clean knife, cutting board and pitcher.
Peel the mango, cut the flesh away from the pit and slice or cube it. Core and thinly slice the apple.
Bruise the basil leaves gently between your fingers to release their aroma without tearing them into tiny pieces.
Add the mango, apple and basil to the pitcher, then pour in the water and cover it.
Refrigerate for 2–4 hours. Taste after 2 hours and steep longer in the refrigerator if you want a stronger flavor.
Strain the water if desired, or pour it with the fruit and basil still in the pitcher. Serve chilled.

For another combination using ingredients you have on hand, try the ai infused water generator.

Why do mango, apple and basil pair well?

Mango adds soft, tropical sweetness, while apple contributes a fresh, crisp flavor. In mango infused water, the fruit is the main flavor; here, apple makes it a little lighter.

Thin slices help the apple share its flavor with the water. You can explore a simpler version with apple infused water. Basil adds a fragrant herbal finish; bruising the leaves lightly gives the water access to their aroma. For a more herb-forward drink, see basil water.

The main benefit of mango apple basil water is hydration, especially if its flavor helps you enjoy drinking water. Your liver and kidneys do most of your body’s detoxification; the lungs and gut also help eliminate waste. Steeping does not transfer all the nutrients from the fruit into the water, and most of the fruit’s fiber remains in the pieces.

How should you store mango apple basil water?

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

If the flavor is already strong enough, strain out the fruit and basil before returning the water to the refrigerator. Straining can change the flavor as it sits, but it does not reset the storage time.

How can you vary mango apple basil water?

Make it more mango-forward

Use a little more mango and a little less apple, keeping the total fruit close to 1 cup. Ripe mango gives the infusion a softer, more tropical flavor without needing a sweetener.

Make the apple flavor crisper

Use a little more apple and less mango. Slice the apple thinly and keep the basil at the original amount so its aroma does not dominate the fruit.

Adjust the basil

For a subtler herbal note, start with fewer leaves. For a stronger note, gently bruise the full amount and taste the water after 2 hours before deciding whether to steep it longer.