Peach Thyme Water: Recipe and How to Make It

Peach thyme water is a fruit-and-herb infused water that takes 2 hours 10 minutes to make and yields about 4 cups (950 mL).

What is peach thyme water?

Peach thyme water is made by steeping sliced peach and fresh thyme in cold water. The peach lends a gentle fruit flavor, while thyme adds a savory, herbal note.

It is a variation on peach infused water that does not need added sugar. The recipe includes 10 minutes of preparation and a 2-hour refrigerated steep.

What ingredients and ratio do you need?

For one pitcher, use about 1 cup of sliced peach and 2 thyme sprigs for every 4 cups of water. The amounts do not have to be exact: peach size and the strength of fresh thyme can vary.

Ingredients

950 mL (4 US cups) cold drinking water
150 g (about 1 cup) sliced fresh peach, roughly 1 peach depending on its size
5 g (about 1/8 cup loosely packed, or 2 sprigs) fresh thyme

Use a ripe peach for the clearest peach flavor. Choose fresh-looking thyme sprigs, and avoid fruit or herbs that are moldy or spoiled. You'll also need a clean pitcher with a lid or cover.

How do you make peach thyme water?

Prep time: 10 minutes
Steep time: 2 hours
Total time: 2 hours 10 minutes
Yield: About 4 cups (950 mL)

Wash your hands and a pitcher. Rinse the peach and thyme under cool running water.
Slice the peach and discard the pit. Measure about 1 cup (150 g) of slices.
Add the peach slices and thyme sprigs to the pitcher, then pour in 4 cups (950 mL) of cold drinking water.
Cover the pitcher and refrigerate it for 2 hours. For a stronger flavor, steep it for up to 4 hours.
Strain out the peach and thyme if you like, then serve the water chilled. Keep any remaining water refrigerated.

Want to adjust the fruit and herb combination? Try the ai infused water generator.

Why do peach and thyme work well together?

Peach provides a soft, fruity flavor, and thyme gives the water a contrasting herbal taste. The result is less sweet than juice because the fruit is steeped rather than blended into the drink. On its own, thyme water has a more prominent herb flavor.

The main benefit of peach thyme water is hydration. It can be an appealing alternative to plain water without added sugar. There is no specific evidence that this infusion has health effects beyond those of drinking water.

Some nutrients may pass from the peach and thyme into the water, but the amounts are uncertain. Eating the peach slices provides more of the fruit's nutrients and fiber than drinking the strained infusion alone.

How should you store peach thyme water?

Keep peach thyme water covered in the refrigerator, including while it steeps. Drink it within 24 hours for the best flavor. Discard it after 2–3 days, or sooner if it becomes cloudy or slimy or develops a sour smell.

Do not leave the pitcher at room temperature for more than a few hours. If you plan to serve it later, return the remaining water to the refrigerator rather than leaving it on the table. Straining the fruit and herbs can make the water easier to pour, but it does not remove the need for refrigeration.

How can you vary peach thyme water?

For a lighter herbal flavor, use one thyme sprig instead of two. For a more noticeable peach taste, slice the peach thinly and let the pitcher steep for the full 4 hours in the refrigerator.

You can also adjust the amount of peach while keeping the water quantity the same. Add a little more for a fruitier infusion, or a little less if you prefer a subtle flavor. Taste the water after steeping and use that result to guide your next batch.

For a clear, gently flavored drink, leave the peach slices intact rather than blending or squeezing them. Blending, squeezing or eating the fruit adds more of its calories to what you consume.