Strawberry Cranberry Rosemary Water Recipe

Strawberry cranberry rosemary water is a chilled fruit-and-herb infusion that takes 2 hours 10 minutes to make and yields about 1 liter (4¼ cups). For another combination, try the ai infused water generator.

What is strawberry cranberry rosemary water?

Strawberry cranberry rosemary water is plain water steeped with sliced strawberries, cranberries and fresh rosemary. The strawberries lend a gentle fruit flavor, the cranberries add tartness, and the rosemary brings a savory, aromatic note.

It is one of many berry infused water recipes you can make without a blender or added sugar. The fruit stays in the pitcher while the water takes on its flavor.

What ingredients and ratio do you need?

For approximately 1 liter (4¼ cups), use:

Water: 1,000 ml (4¼ US cups)
Strawberries: 100 g (about ⅔ cup sliced)
Cranberries: 50 g (about ½ cup whole)
Fresh rosemary: 5 g (about 2 sprigs, or roughly 2½ tablespoons loosely packed leaves)

This ratio uses about 150 g of berries for each liter of water, with enough rosemary to add an herbal accent. Measure the strawberries after slicing; measure the cranberries before cutting them. A clean pitcher with room for the fruit as well as the water makes mixing easier.

Fresh berries work well, but unsweetened frozen berries are also an option. Their texture may soften as they thaw, which matters less if you plan to strain the water before serving.

How do you make strawberry cranberry rosemary water?

Allow 10 minutes for preparation and at least 2 hours for refrigerated steeping.

Rinse the strawberries, cranberries and rosemary under cool running water. Remove any damaged fruit.
Slice the strawberries and halve the cranberries to expose their flesh.
Place the fruit and rosemary in a clean pitcher, then pour in the water.
Refrigerate for 2 hours. For a stronger infusion, leave it in the refrigerator for up to 4 hours.
Taste the water and remove the rosemary when its flavor is strong enough. Strain the fruit if you prefer, then serve chilled.

If you use loose rosemary leaves rather than sprigs, strain them out before serving. For a cold glass without diluting the pitcher, add ice to individual glasses just before pouring.

Why do strawberry, cranberry and rosemary pair well?

Strawberries provide a soft, familiar berry flavor, while cranberries contribute a sharper, tart edge. Rosemary rounds out the fruit with an aromatic, woodsy flavor; using a small amount keeps it from overwhelming the berries.

For a simpler fruit flavor, strawberry infused water puts the sweeter berry first. Cranberry infused water emphasizes tartness, while rosemary water focuses on the herb.

The main practical benefit of strawberry cranberry rosemary water is hydration, especially if its flavor encourages you to drink plain water. Whole berries contain nutrients and fiber, but the amount that transfers into steeped water is uncertain; straining the fruit out does not give you all the fiber in the berries. There is no evidence that this particular 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 strawberry cranberry rosemary water?

Keep the pitcher refrigerated and drink the water 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 it at room temperature for more than 2 hours.

Removing the fruit and rosemary after steeping gives you more control over the flavor. If you keep the fruit to eat, refrigerate it with the water and discard it if it shows any of the same signs of spoilage.

How can you vary strawberry cranberry rosemary water?

Make it more strawberry-forward

Use a little more strawberry and fewer cranberries while keeping the total fruit close to 150 g per liter of water. The result will taste softer and less tart.

Adjust the rosemary

Start with 1 sprig instead of 2 for a milder herbal note. Taste after 2 hours of refrigerated steeping, and remove the sprig once you like the flavor.

Use frozen berries

Substitute unsweetened frozen strawberries or cranberries by weight. Frozen fruit may make the water look cloudier as it thaws, so strain it after steeping if you prefer a clearer drink.