Plum Lime Thyme Water: Recipe and Storage

Plum lime thyme water is a fruit-and-herb infusion that takes 2 hours 10 minutes to prepare and yields approximately 1 liter (4¼ cups). Try the ai infused water generator to adjust the combination.

What is plum lime thyme water?

Plum lime thyme water is chilled water steeped with sliced plums, lime and fresh thyme. The fruit lends a subtle flavor rather than the sweetness or texture of juice.

It is one of many stone fruit infused water recipes that use fresh fruit to make plain water more flavorful. Serve it strained or pour it over ice for a cold, unsweetened drink.

What ingredients and ratio do you need?

Use approximately 1 cup of sliced plum, 1 sliced lime and 2 thyme sprigs for every liter of water. This makes a lightly flavored infusion; the strength depends on the ripeness of the fruit and how long it steeps.

Ingredients

• 1 liter (about 4¼ US cups) cold drinking water
• 150 g (about 1 cup) sliced, pitted plums
• 100 g (about ⅔ cup) sliced lime, approximately 1 lime
• 5 g (about 2 sprigs, or a loosely packed ¼ cup) fresh thyme
• Ice, for serving, optional

Choose ripe plums that are firm enough to slice. Leave the skins on for color and flavor, but remove and discard the pits. Use fresh thyme rather than dried thyme for this recipe; its sprigs are easier to remove after steeping.

How do you make plum lime thyme water?

Active prep: 10 minutes
Refrigerator steep: 2 hours
Total time: 2 hours 10 minutes
Yield: Approximately 1 liter (4¼ cups)

1. Wash the plums, lime and thyme under running water, and clean a pitcher or large jar.
2. Slice the plums, discarding the pits, and thinly slice the lime.
3. Add the plum slices, lime slices and thyme sprigs to the pitcher. Pour in the cold water.
4. Cover the pitcher and refrigerate for 2 hours.
5. Strain out the fruit and thyme, then serve the water cold, with ice if you like.

For a stronger infusion, you can refrigerate it for up to 4 hours before straining. Lime peel and pith can make the water bitter after that, so remove the lime by 4 hours. Pressing or squeezing the fruit will make the drink more like diluted juice and add more of the fruit’s calories.

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Why do plum, lime and thyme work together?

Plums bring a soft, fruity note that forms the base of the infusion. Their flavor is gentler in water than in the whole fruit; see plum infused water for a simpler combination.

Lime adds a brighter, tart aroma that contrasts with the plum. As with lime water, the amount of lime and contact with the peel affect the finished taste.

Thyme contributes a savory, herbal note without needing a sweetener. A small amount is enough to complement the fruit; thyme water puts the herb at the center of the drink.

The main benefit of plum lime thyme water is hydration, just as with plain water. Nutrients in the whole ingredients do not necessarily transfer in meaningful amounts to the water, and there is no evidence that this infusion has a special detoxifying effect. The liver and kidneys do most of the body’s detoxification, while the lungs and gut help eliminate waste.

How should you store plum lime thyme water?

Keep the covered pitcher refrigerated and drink the infusion within 24 hours for the best flavor. Strain out the lime by 4 hours to limit bitterness; the recipe above strains all the ingredients after 2 hours.

Discard the water after 2–3 days, or sooner if it becomes cloudy, slimy or sour-smelling. Do not leave it at room temperature for more than a few hours. Use a clean glass when serving rather than drinking directly from the storage pitcher.

How can you vary plum lime thyme water?

Make it more or less tart

Use fewer lime slices for a softer citrus note, or use the full sliced lime for a brighter flavor. If you prefer a mild drink, taste it after the 2-hour steep and strain it then.

Adjust the herb flavor

Use 1 thyme sprig instead of 2 for a subtler herbal taste. Keep the sprig intact so it is easy to lift out before serving.

Change the fruit intensity

Cut the plum into thinner slices to expose more of its surface to the water. For a lighter flavor, use less plum rather than adding sugar; the resulting drink will still be mostly water.