Strawberry Plum Basil Water Recipe

Strawberry plum basil water is a fresh fruit-and-herb infusion that takes 2 hours 10 minutes, including chilling, and makes about 4 cups (950 mL).

What is strawberry plum basil water?

Strawberry plum basil water is drinking water chilled with sliced strawberries, plum and fresh basil. The fruit adds a gentle sweetness and tartness, while the basil brings a fragrant herbal note. It is one of many berry infused water recipes you can make without a sweetener.

The finished drink is lightly flavored rather than as concentrated as juice. Its flavor depends on the ripeness of the fruit and how long you let it steep.

What ingredients and ratio do you need?

For one pitcher, use approximately equal amounts of strawberry and plum, plus a small handful of basil. Measure the fruit after slicing and removing the plum pit.

Water: 950 mL (4 cups), preferably cold
Strawberries: 75 g (about 1/2 cup), hulled and sliced
Plum: 75 g (about 1/2 cup), pitted and sliced
Fresh basil: 5 g (about 1/4 cup loosely packed, or 8–12 leaves)

The 150 g of fruit is approximately 1 cup per 950 mL of water. This ratio gives the water a noticeable fruit flavor without making the pitcher too crowded. A ripe plum and fragrant basil will generally contribute more flavor than underripe or wilted ingredients.

How do you make strawberry plum basil water?

Wash the strawberries, plum and basil under running water, and wash your hands and pitcher.
Slice the strawberries and plum, removing the strawberry tops and plum pit.
Add the fruit and basil to the pitcher, then pour in the 950 mL (4 cups) of water.
Refrigerate for 2 hours, or up to 4 hours for a fuller flavor.
Serve the water cold, with the fruit and basil in the pitcher or strained out if you prefer.

For another combination using a similar method, try the AI infused water generator.

Start tasting at 2 hours. If you prefer a stronger infusion, return the pitcher to the refrigerator and taste it again before serving. Straining gives the drink a clearer appearance, while leaving the fruit in makes an attractive pitcher for the table.

Why do strawberry, plum and basil work together?

Strawberry contributes a familiar berry flavor, as it does in strawberry infused water. Plum adds a slightly tart, stone-fruit character; its flavor also comes through in plum infused water. Basil balances the fruit with an aromatic herbal note, the defining feature of basil water.

The main benefit of this drink is hydration, especially if a little flavor helps you enjoy drinking water. The liver and kidneys do most of the body's detoxification; infused water supports hydration rather than cleansing the body.

Whole strawberries and plums provide nutrients and fiber, but the amount transferred into steeped water is not the same as the amount in the whole fruit. This recipe has no added sugar; eating or squeezing the fruit adds more of its natural sugars and calories than steeping it alone.

How should you store strawberry plum basil water?

Keep the pitcher refrigerated and drink the water within 24 hours for the best flavor. Discard it 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.

A clean, covered pitcher helps keep the water protected from other refrigerator odors. Strain out the fruit and basil if you prefer, but continue to refrigerate the water and follow the same storage window.

How can you vary strawberry plum basil water?

Adjust the fruit balance

Use more strawberry and less plum for a berry-forward pitcher, or reverse the proportions for more plum flavor. Keep the combined fruit amount close to 150 g, or about 1 cup, for 950 mL (4 cups) of water.

Change the basil intensity

Use fewer basil leaves for a subtler herbal note, or use the full 5 g (about 1/4 cup loosely packed) for a more aromatic pitcher. Gently tear the leaves before adding them if you want their aroma to release more readily.

Serve it differently

Strain the chilled infusion into glasses for a clear drink, or serve it with the sliced fruit for color. If adding ice, expect the flavor to become milder as the ice melts.