Plum Infused Water: Recipe, Ratio and Storage

Plum infused water is chilled water flavored with fresh plum slices; it takes about 2 hours 10 minutes, including steeping, and yields about 1 liter (4¼ cups). For another ratio, try the ai infused water generator.

What is plum infused water?

Plum infused water is made by letting sliced plum steep in drinking water in the refrigerator. The fruit gives the water a subtle flavor without needing to be blended or squeezed.

It is one way to make fruit infused water. The result is lighter in flavor than juice, and the sweetness will depend on the ripeness of the plum.

What ingredients and ratio do you need?

Use about 1 cup of sliced plum for every 1 liter of water. This recipe makes approximately four 250 ml servings.

Fresh plum: 150 g (about 1 cup), sliced with pits removed
Cold drinking water: 1 liter (about 4¼ cups)

Allow about 10 minutes for preparation and 2 hours for the basic refrigerated steep. Choose ripe, firm plum with a pleasant aroma; very soft fruit can break apart and make the water cloudy.

How do you make plum infused water?

Wash the plum under running water and clean your hands, knife and pitcher.
Cut the plum into thin slices, removing and discarding the pits.
Add the 150 g (about 1 cup) of plum slices to a pitcher.
Pour in 1 liter (about 4¼ cups) of cold drinking water and cover the pitcher.
Refrigerate for 2 hours, or up to 4 hours for a fuller flavor.
Strain out the plum if you prefer, then serve the water chilled.

The slices can stay in the pitcher while you serve the water, but straining makes the drink easier to pour. Keep the pitcher refrigerated between servings.

How long should plum infused water steep?

Steep plum infused water in the refrigerator for 2–4 hours. Two hours gives the fruit time to flavor the water; leave it closer to 4 hours if you want a stronger taste.

Thin slices expose more of the plum to the water than large pieces. You can taste the infusion during the steep and strain it when the flavor suits you.

How should you store plum infused water?

Keep plum infused water covered and refrigerated, and drink it 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 the pitcher at room temperature for more than a few hours. For a fresh batch, wash the pitcher and utensils before adding new plum and water rather than repeatedly topping up the old infusion.

What variations can you make?

Plum infused water with mint

Add 8–12 fresh mint leaves, about 5 g, to the plum and water before refrigerating.

Plum infused water with ginger

Add about 10 g (1 inch) of sliced fresh ginger before steeping for a sharper flavor.

What are the benefits of plum infused water?

Plum infused water can make drinking water more appealing, which may help you stay hydrated. Steeped water that has not been blended or squeezed is usually very low in calories, typically under 10 kcal per glass; eating or squeezing the plum adds calories.

Whole raw plum contains fiber, but the amount transferred into an infusion is not established. There is no established evidence that plum infused water provides a special detox benefit.

The liver and kidneys do most of the body's detoxification, while the lungs and gut also help eliminate waste; sweat removes only trace amounts. Drinking water supports hydration, not a separate cleansing process.

Who should be careful with plum infused water?

Avoid plum infused water if you are allergic to plum. Stop drinking it and seek medical advice if you develop itching or another reaction; trouble breathing or throat swelling needs emergency care.

Remove every pit before serving, especially around young children, and supervise children if they eat the fruit slices. If a clinician has told you to limit fluids, ask how plum infused water fits into your prescribed limit.

FAQs

The answers below cover a couple of ingredient substitutions for plum infused water.