Raspberry Cherry Thyme Water: Recipe and Tips

Raspberry cherry thyme water is a chilled fruit-and-herb infusion that takes 2 hours 10 minutes, including steeping, and yields about 1 liter (4¼ cups).

What is raspberry cherry thyme water?

Raspberry cherry thyme water is plain water flavored with raspberries, pitted cherries and fresh thyme. The berries bring a tart, fruity taste, while the thyme adds a subtle herbal note.

It is one of many berry infused water recipes you can make without blending the fruit. The result is lightly flavored rather than as concentrated or sweet as juice.

What ingredients and ratio do you need?

For about four glasses, use:

1 liter (4¼ cups) water
60 g (½ cup) fresh raspberries
75 g (½ cup) fresh cherries, pitted and halved
About 5 g fresh thyme (2 sprigs, or roughly 2 tablespoons loosely packed leaves)

This makes approximately 1 cup of fruit per liter of water, plus two sprigs of thyme. The amounts are flexible: use a little less thyme if you prefer the fruit to stand out, or a little more fruit for a stronger taste.

Choose ripe fruit for the best flavor and a pitcher large enough to hold the water and ingredients. Sweet or sour cherries both work; sour cherries will make the infusion more tart.

How do you make raspberry cherry thyme water?

Prep: 10 minutes | Chill: 2–4 hours | Yield: about 1 liter (4¼ cups)

Rinse the raspberries, cherries and thyme under cool running water.
Pit and halve the cherries, discarding the pits. Lightly press the raspberries with a spoon if you want a stronger fruit flavor.
Add the fruit and thyme to a clean pitcher, then pour in the water.
Cover and refrigerate for 2–4 hours, tasting after 2 hours.
Strain the water if you prefer it clear, or serve it with the fruit and thyme. Return any remaining water to the refrigerator promptly.

For another combination, use the AI infused water generator.

Why do raspberry, cherry and thyme pair well?

Raspberries contribute a bright tartness, familiar from raspberry infused water. Cherries add a rounder fruit flavor, as they do in cherry infused water. Thyme brings a savory, aromatic contrast; use a light hand if you are new to thyme water.

The main benefit of the drink is hydration. Raspberries and cherries contain fiber and vitamin C, but the amount that transfers into steeped water is uncertain; eating the fruit provides more fiber than straining it out.

Your liver and kidneys do most of your body's detoxification. Raspberry cherry thyme water can help you stay hydrated, but it does not flush toxins from the body.

How should you store raspberry cherry thyme water?

Keep the pitcher covered and refrigerated, and drink the water within 24 hours for the best flavor. Straining after steeping makes it easy to serve, but it does not restart the storage clock.

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 glass when serving rather than drinking directly from the pitcher.

How can you vary raspberry cherry thyme water?

Make it fruitier

Lightly press a few more raspberries before chilling, or leave the fruit in the pitcher while serving. Pressing releases more pulp, so the water may look cloudier and taste less delicate.

Make the thyme subtler

Start with one sprig instead of two, then taste after the water has chilled. You can remove the thyme before serving if its flavor is strong enough for you.

Use frozen fruit

Unsweetened frozen raspberries and pitted cherries can stand in for fresh fruit. Check that the cherries are pitted, and expect the water to become more colorful or cloudy as the fruit thaws.