Peach Cherry Thyme Water: Recipe & How to Make It

Peach cherry thyme water is a chilled fruit-and-herb infusion that takes 2 hours 10 minutes total and makes about 4 cups (950 mL).

What is peach cherry thyme water?

Peach cherry thyme water combines sliced peach, pitted cherries and fresh thyme with cold water. The fruit gives the water a gentle stone-fruit flavor, while thyme adds an aromatic, lightly savory note.

Unlike a blended drink, the fruit is left in pieces to steep. The result is subtly flavored water rather than juice. Explore more stone fruit infused water recipes for other combinations.

What ingredients and ratio do you need?

Prep time: 10 minutes
Chilling time: 2 hours
Yield: About 4 cups (950 mL), or 4 servings of approximately 1 cup (240 mL)

4 cups (950 mL) cold drinking water
1/2 cup (75 g) sliced ripe peach, pit removed
1/2 cup (75 g) pitted cherries, halved
2 fresh thyme sprigs, about 5 g or approximately 1 tablespoon loosely packed

The starting ratio is about 1 cup (150 g) of prepared fruit and 2 thyme sprigs per 4 cups (950 mL) of water. Use ripe, fragrant fruit for the most noticeable flavor; sweet or sour cherries both work. If using sour cherries, expect a tarter infusion rather than a sweet drink.

How do you make peach cherry thyme water?

Rinse the peach, cherries and thyme under cool running water.
Slice the peach and remove its pit. Pit and halve the cherries so their cut surfaces can flavor the water.
Add the prepared fruit and thyme to a clean pitcher or jar.
Pour in the cold water and stir gently. Cover the container.
Refrigerate for 2 hours. Taste, then steep for up to 4 hours in total if you prefer a stronger flavor.
Serve chilled, with or without the fruit and thyme. Strain the infusion if you prefer a clear drink.

For another combination or pitcher size, try the ai infused water generator.

A wide-mouthed pitcher makes the fruit easy to add and remove. Pressing the fruit isn't necessary: leaving it intact keeps the drink light and makes it easier to strain. If you do press it, expect more pulp and a stronger fruit flavor.

Why do peach, cherry and thyme work together?

Peach contributes a mellow, floral sweetness, while cherry adds a brighter, sometimes tart flavor. Thyme gives both fruits an herbal contrast without making the drink taste like a sweetened beverage. For a simpler fruit flavor, see peach infused water or cherry infused water; thyme water focuses on the herb.

The main benefit of peach cherry thyme water is that it can make plain water more appealing, helping you stay hydrated. The liver and kidneys do most of the body's detoxification, with the lungs and gut also helping eliminate waste. No special detox effect from this infusion has been established.

Whole peaches and cherries contain nutrients and fiber, but the amounts that transfer into steeped water aren't known. The drink is very low in calories when the fruit is steeped rather than squeezed or blended; eating the fruit adds its calories and fiber.

How should you store peach cherry thyme water?

Keep the covered pitcher refrigerated while it steeps and after serving. For the best flavor, drink peach cherry thyme water within 24 hours. Discard it after 2–3 days, or sooner if it becomes cloudy, slimy or sour-smelling.

Don't leave the pitcher at room temperature for more than a few hours. You can strain out the fruit and thyme after steeping if you like the flavor as it is; keep the strained water refrigerated too. Use a clean glass or utensil when serving rather than drinking directly from the pitcher.

How can you vary peach cherry thyme water?

Make the peach flavor more prominent

Use more peach and fewer cherries while keeping the total prepared fruit near 1 cup (150 g). This keeps the same fruit-to-water ratio but gives the infusion a softer flavor.

Give cherry the lead

Reverse the balance: use more cherries and less peach. Halve the cherries after pitting them, and taste after 2 hours before deciding whether to steep longer.

Adjust the thyme

Start with 1 sprig if you want a faint herbal note, or use the full 2 sprigs for a more noticeable aroma. Remove the thyme when the flavor suits you; it doesn't need to stay in the pitcher when you serve the water.