Strawberry Cherry Water: Recipe and Storage

Strawberry cherry water is chilled water infused with strawberries and pitted cherries; it takes 2 hours 10 minutes to make and yields about 1 liter (4¼ cups).

For another fruit combination, try the ai infused water generator.

What is strawberry cherry water?

Strawberry cherry water is a fruit-infused water made by steeping sliced strawberries and cherries in cold water. It has a subtle fruit flavor rather than the concentrated taste of juice, and you can serve it strained or with the fruit in the pitcher.

It belongs to the family of berry infused water recipes. The flavor depends on the ripeness and variety of the fruit as well as how long you let it steep.

What ingredients and ratio do you need?

This recipe uses about 1 cup of prepared fruit for 1 liter of water. Strawberries make up roughly two-thirds of the fruit, with cherries providing the remaining third.

Ingredients

100 g (about ⅔ cup) strawberries, hulled and sliced
50 g (about ⅓ cup) cherries, pitted and halved
1 liter (about 4¼ cups) drinking water

Measure the fruit after preparing it so the ratio stays close to the recipe. Sweet or sour cherries both work: Sweet cherries give a rounder flavor, while sour cherries add more tartness.

Recipe timing and yield

Preparation time: 10 minutes
Refrigerated steeping time: 2 hours
Total time: 2 hours 10 minutes
Yield: About 1 liter (4¼ cups)

How do you make strawberry cherry water?

Rinse the strawberries and cherries under running water, then drain them.
Prepare the fruit by removing the strawberry tops and slicing the berries. Remove the cherry stems and pits, then halve the cherries; do not crush the pits.
Add the prepared fruit to a clean pitcher and pour in the drinking water.
Cover the pitcher and refrigerate for 2 hours. For a stronger flavor, steep for up to 4 hours.
Strain the water if you prefer, or leave the fruit in the pitcher. Pour into glasses and serve cold.

Slicing exposes more fruit surface to the water without making the drink thick. If the flavor is too subtle, taste it again after a longer refrigerated steep rather than squeezing the fruit into the pitcher.

Why do strawberries and cherries pair well?

Strawberries give the water a familiar berry aroma, while cherries add a deeper fruit flavor. Together they make a balanced infusion that does not need sweetener, although the result will be lighter than fruit juice.

The fruit also brings color to the pitcher. For more ideas using either flavor on its own, see strawberry infused water and cherry infused water.

The main benefit of the drink is hydration. Whole strawberries and cherries contain nutrients and fiber, but the amount that transfers into steeped water is uncertain; eating the fruit is different from drinking the strained infusion.

Water supports normal body functions, including those of the liver and kidneys, which do most of the body's detoxification. Strawberry cherry water does not need to be treated as a special detox or cleanse.

How should you store strawberry cherry water?

Keep strawberry cherry water covered in the refrigerator and drink it within 24 hours for the best flavor. You can strain out the fruit after the initial steep, but straining does not restart the storage clock.

Discard the drink after 2 days, or sooner if it becomes cloudy, slimy or sour-smelling. Do not leave it at room temperature for more than 2 hours; use a clean pitcher and clean glasses when serving.

How can you vary strawberry cherry water?

Make it more cherry-forward

Replace some of the strawberries with more pitted cherries, keeping the total prepared fruit close to 150 g (about 1 cup) per 1 liter (about 4¼ cups) of water. This shifts the flavor toward cherry without changing the basic method.

Add fresh mint

Add a few rinsed fresh mint leaves to the pitcher with the fruit. Mint gives the infusion a cooler aroma; remove it when you strain the drink if you prefer a gentler flavor.

Add sparkle at serving

Prepare the infusion with still water as directed, then replace a little of each serving with chilled sparkling water. Adding the bubbles just before drinking helps keep the sparkling water fizzy.