Watermelon Lemon Rosemary Water: Easy Recipe

Watermelon lemon rosemary water is a chilled fruit-and-herb infusion that takes 2 hours 10 minutes total and yields about 4 cups. Try the ai infused water generator to explore more combinations, or browse these melon infused water recipes.

What is watermelon lemon rosemary water?

Watermelon lemon rosemary water is drinking water steeped with fresh watermelon, sliced lemon and rosemary. The watermelon adds a gentle sweetness, the lemon provides tartness, and the rosemary gives the drink an herbal aroma.

Unlike a blended drink, this recipe is strained before serving. Its flavor is subtle, and the amount of fruit nutrients that passes into the water is unknown.

What ingredients and ratio do you need?

For about 4 servings, use 1 liter of water with roughly 1 cup of diced watermelon, 1 sliced lemon and 2 rosemary sprigs. The following amounts make a lightly flavored pitcher with no added sweetener:

Water: 1,000 ml (4¼ cups)
Watermelon: 150 g (about 1 cup), diced, rind removed
Lemon: about 100 g (1 medium lemon; roughly ½ cup sliced)
Fresh rosemary: about 5 g (2 sprigs; roughly ⅛ cup loosely packed leaves)

Use a pitcher large enough to hold the water and ingredients without spilling. The rosemary can remain on its stems; there is no need to measure the leaves separately.

Active prep: 10 minutes. Refrigerated steep: 2 hours. Yield: about 4 cups, or 4 servings of approximately 1 cup each.

How do you make watermelon lemon rosemary water?

Wash your hands, then rinse the watermelon, lemon and rosemary under running water. Scrub the outside of the watermelon and lemon before cutting them.
Cut the watermelon into small cubes and slice the lemon. Remove any visible lemon seeds.
Place the watermelon and lemon in a clean pitcher. Lightly press the rosemary sprigs between your fingers to release their aroma, then add them to the pitcher.
Pour in the water, cover the pitcher and refrigerate for 2 hours. For a stronger infusion, steep for up to 4 hours.
Strain out the fruit and rosemary, then serve the water chilled. Remove the lemon by 4 hours so its peel and pith do not make the water bitter.

Taste the water after 2 hours. If it is already flavorful enough, strain it then; the longer steep is optional, not necessary.

Why do watermelon, lemon and rosemary pair well?

Watermelon has a mild, sweet flavor that gives the drink a soft fruit note without making it taste like juice. If you prefer that flavor on its own, see watermelon infused water.

Lemon adds a sharper contrast to the melon. Its peel can also add bitterness over time, which is why straining matters; see lemon water for more on the citrus ingredient.

Rosemary brings a savory aroma that balances the fruit. A light touch is enough for this pitcher; rosemary water focuses on the herb itself.

The practical benefit of this drink is hydration, especially if its flavor encourages you to drink water. The liver and kidneys do most of the body's detoxification; infused water does not cleanse them or remove toxins on its own.

How should you store watermelon lemon rosemary water?

Keep the pitcher covered and refrigerated while it steeps and after straining. For the best flavor, drink the water within 24 hours of making it.

Discard it after 2 days, or sooner if it becomes cloudy, slimy or sour-smelling. Do not leave the pitcher at room temperature for more than a few hours. Use a clean glass each time you pour rather than drinking directly from the storage pitcher.

How can you vary watermelon lemon rosemary water?

Make the watermelon flavor gentler

Use fewer watermelon cubes for a lighter infusion. Keep the water amount the same and taste after 2 hours; you can extend the refrigerated steep if needed.

Reduce the tartness

Use fewer lemon slices if you prefer a softer citrus note. Strain them out by 4 hours even when using less lemon, since the peel can still make the water bitter.

Adjust the rosemary

Use one rosemary sprig instead of two for a milder herbal aroma. For a more noticeable rosemary flavor, use both sprigs and taste the water before deciding whether to steep it longer.