Raspberry Blackberry Thyme Water: Easy Recipe

Raspberry blackberry thyme water is a chilled fruit-and-herb infusion that takes 2 hours 10 minutes to make and yields about 4 cups, or 4 servings.

What is raspberry blackberry thyme water?

Raspberry blackberry thyme water is plain water steeped with fresh raspberries, blackberries and thyme. The berries lend a gently tart fruit flavor, while thyme adds a subtle herbal note. It is served cold, with or without the fruit in the glass.

This is one of many berry infused water recipes you can make without a blender or added sweetener. The flavor is lighter than juice because the ingredients are steeped rather than blended.

What ingredients and ratio do you need?

For about 4 servings, use:

Water: 960 ml (4 cups)
Fresh raspberries: about 65 g (1/2 cup)
Fresh blackberries: about 75 g (1/2 cup)
Fresh thyme: about 2 g (2 small sprigs, or about 2 teaspoons loosely packed leaves)
Ice: optional, for serving

The starting ratio is about 1 cup of berries and 2 small thyme sprigs for 4 cups of water. Berry and sprig sizes vary, so the weights are approximate. Use culinary fresh thyme, not thyme essential oil.

A glass pitcher or a lidded jar large enough to hold the water and fruit makes mixing and refrigeration easy. If you use loose thyme leaves, a fine strainer will help catch them when you serve.

How do you make raspberry blackberry thyme water?

Wash the raspberries, blackberries and thyme gently under cool running water.
Add the berries and thyme to a clean pitcher or large jar. Leave the berries whole for a subtle flavor, or halve the larger blackberries to expose more fruit.
Pour in 960 ml (4 cups) of water and stir gently.
Cover the container and refrigerate for 2 hours. For a stronger infusion, steep for up to 4 hours in the refrigerator.
Serve the water chilled, with ice if you like. Strain out the fruit and thyme if you prefer a clearer drink.

Want to adjust the fruit or herb combination? Try the AI infused water generator.

The 2-hour steep gives the ingredients time to flavor the water without requiring much hands-on work. Taste it after chilling; if the herbal flavor is already strong enough, remove the thyme before serving.

Why do raspberry, blackberry and thyme pair well?

Raspberries bring a bright, tart taste, while blackberries add a deeper berry flavor. Together, they make the water fruity without needing a sweetener. For a simpler version centered on one berry, see raspberry infused water or blackberry infused water.

Thyme balances that fruitiness with a savory, aromatic edge. A small amount is enough to be noticeable without dominating the berries; learn more about the herb in thyme water.

The main benefit of this drink is hydration. Whole berries contain fiber and nutrients, but the amounts that transfer into steeped water are uncertain; eating the berries is different from drinking the infusion. Water supports normal body functions, including those of the liver and kidneys, which do most of the body's detoxification.

How should you store raspberry blackberry thyme water?

Keep raspberry blackberry thyme water covered in the refrigerator and drink it within 24 hours for the best flavor. You can strain out the fruit and thyme after steeping or leave them in the pitcher while serving.

Discard the infusion 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 utensil each time you serve it rather than reaching into the pitcher by hand.

How can you vary raspberry blackberry thyme water?

Make it fruitier

Keep the combined berries at about 1 cup, but use more raspberries and fewer blackberries, or reverse the proportions. Halving the larger berries can also expose more of their flavor to the water.

Make the thyme subtler

Start with 1 thyme sprig instead of 2, then taste the water after the initial refrigerated steep. You can also remove the thyme before serving if its flavor is stronger than you want.

Serve it with a little sweetness

Taste the finished infusion before adding anything: the berries give it a mild fruit flavor on their own. If you prefer it sweeter, stir a little sweetener into an individual glass so everyone can adjust their own serving.