Strawberry Orange Basil Water: Easy Recipe

Strawberry orange basil water is a fruit-and-herb-infused drink that takes 2 hours 10 minutes to prepare and yields about 1 liter, or 4¼ cups.

What is strawberry orange basil water?

Strawberry orange basil water combines sliced fruit and fresh basil with cold water. The ingredients steep in the refrigerator, giving the water a light, fruity flavor without blending or squeezing the fruit.

It is one of many berry infused water recipes you can make in a pitcher. This version balances sweet berries with citrus and a subtle herbal note.

What ingredients and ratio do you need?

For about 1 liter of strawberry orange basil water, use:

Water: 1,000 mL, about 4¼ US cups
Strawberries: 150 g, about 1 cup sliced
Orange: 100 g, about ¾ cup sliced, or approximately 1 small orange
Fresh basil: about 5 g, or ¼ cup loosely packed leaves, approximately 8–12 leaves

Fruit sizes and leaf sizes vary, so the cup and leaf measures are approximate. A pitcher large enough to hold the water and fruit will make stirring and serving easier.

This ratio gives the fruit room to infuse without crowding the pitcher. For a milder drink, use less fruit or basil; for a more pronounced flavor, stay within the recommended steeping time before adjusting the ingredients in your next batch.

How do you make strawberry orange basil water?

Hands-on time: 10 minutes. Refrigerated steeping time: 2 hours. Total time: 2 hours 10 minutes.

Wash the strawberries, orange and basil under running water, and clean the pitcher.
Slice the strawberries and orange. Remove the orange peel if you prefer to reduce the chance of bitterness.
Bruise the basil leaves gently between your fingers, then add them to the pitcher with the fruit.
Pour in the water and stir gently without squeezing the fruit.
Cover the pitcher and refrigerate for 2 hours. Taste, then steep for up to 2 more hours if you want a stronger flavor.
Strain or remove the fruit and basil before serving, or leave them in until the flavor suits you. Remove the orange by 4 hours if its peel is still on.

For another combination, use the AI infused water generator.

Why do strawberry, orange and basil pair well?

Strawberries bring a soft, sweet aroma, while orange adds a brighter citrus note. Basil gives the drink a fresh, slightly peppery finish; gently bruising the leaves helps release their aroma without chopping them into small pieces.

If you prefer to highlight one ingredient, explore strawberry infused water, orange infused water, or basil water. In this recipe, each flavor is present but none needs to dominate.

The main benefit is hydration, especially if the flavor helps you enjoy drinking water. Steeped water is typically very low in calories—usually under 10 kcal per glass—but its nutrient content is not the same as eating the whole fruit. The liver and kidneys do most of the body’s detoxification; this drink does not cleanse the body.

How should you store strawberry orange basil water?

Keep the pitcher covered and refrigerated. For the best flavor, drink strawberry orange basil water within 24 hours; discard it after 2 days, or sooner if it becomes cloudy, slimy or sour-smelling.

Citrus pith can make the water bitter after about 4 hours, so remove the orange slices by then if they have peel on. Straining the remaining fruit and basil also stops their flavors from becoming stronger. Refrigerate the strained water rather than leaving it on the counter.

How can you vary strawberry orange basil water?

Make the basil subtler

Use fewer basil leaves and keep the strawberries and orange at the original amounts. Gently bruise the leaves as directed, then taste after 2 hours to see whether you like the balance.

Make the citrus flavor gentler

Remove the orange peel before slicing, or use fewer orange slices. You will still get a citrus note, with less chance of bitterness from the pith.

Adjust the fruit balance

Use a little more strawberry and a little less orange, keeping the water and basil amounts the same. For a brighter citrus flavor, make the opposite adjustment and remove any peel-on orange by 4 hours.