Fruit Infused Water

Fruit infused water is perfect for a hot summer day. If you have never tried making water infused with fruits before, you are missing out on a flavorful way to enjoy water. Water that is both refreshing and delicious is a big hit at cookouts and barbecues.

fruit infused water in two glasses.


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Refreshing Fruit Drink without Sugar

Are you looking for a refreshing drink that isn’t soda and is sugar-free? I like to prepare fruit-infused water when I have guests over. I live in the hot south, so something cool and refreshing is what I love to serve my family and friends.

Sure, I put out plenty of sweet tea, soda, and coffee. However, I rarely put out plain water. It takes minimal effort to make this fruit-infused water recipe, and often guests are completely blown away and think you spent a lot of time making special fruit-flavored water just for them.

Fruit Infused Water Recipe Ingredients

Here is what you need to transform plain old water with this recipe:

  • Strawberries
  • Blueberries
  • Fresh basil

That’s it! Just water, two berries, and a fresh herb!

strawberries, blueberries, and fresh basil leaves.

Fruit for Infused Water

You can create fruit-infused water with just about any type of fruit. I often use citrus fruits like oranges, lemons, or even limes.

The key here is to make sure to use blemish-free fruits. You don’t want to use fresh produce with any bad spots.

You also need to wash your fruit really well.

Soft fruits can be sliced any way you want. Berries can be left free-floating.

Hard fruits, like apples, infuse faster when thinly sliced.

You can add in an herb or two if you like. Herbs like mint or basil add a nice touch. Be sure to use fresh herbs. They’ll give you a more robust flavor than the dried kind and are less likely to break up and create debris in the water.

Cucumber is also a pleasing addition.

How to Make Fruit Infused Water

This fruit-infused water recipe is easy to make and lovely to drink! Here are the steps:

  1. Wash the strawberries, blueberries, and basil.
  1. Hull the strawberries and quarter them.
hulled and quartered strawberry and a knife on a cutting board.
  1. Gently scrunch the basil leaves in your hands to release some of the oils from the leaves.
crushing basil leaves over a pitcher.
  1. Place the fruit and basil in a 2 – quart glass pitcher.
cut strawberries and basil in a pitcher.
  1. Add enough water to fill the pitcher.
fruit infused water in a pitcher.
  1. Allow the fruit to infuse for at least 2 hours before serving.
  1. After 4 to 6 hours, discard the fruit.
  1. Before serving, add some freshly cut strawberries and a few blueberries.
glasses filled with fruit infused water and fresh fruit.

Recipe Variations

Here are a few delicious ideas for DIY fruit infused water:

  • Strawberry Lime – All the pizzazz of strawberry limeade without the sugar!
  • Cucumber Mint – A staple in spas for good reason! The clean flavor of cucumber and the cool kick of mint make for an exceptionally refreshing drink.
  • Watermelon Mint – A great combination.
  • Orange Basil – Oranges steep easily, and the basil gives the bright sweetness of citrus orange a lovely, earthy undertone.
  • Blackberry Ginger – Delicious blackberry and ginger water is a little sweet, a little tart, and completely tasty.
  • Pineapple Ginger – Something a little sweeter.
  • Green Apple, Raspberry, Rosemary – Apples take a while to infuse, so slice them thinly and be patient.

Recipe Tips

When making infused water, the one essential thing is not to let the fruit and herbs soak in the water forever.

If you plan to store your infused water in the refrigerator for a long time, you need to remove the flavoring agents after about 6 hours.

You can always add some freshly cut fruit when you are ready to serve the water.

Citrus fruits become bitter after infusing for too long. The fruit may start to rot. As the water continues to penetrate the pith, the bitter flavors come out.

Also, the oils in the citrus rinds will leach into the water and begin to make it bitter.

glasses of fruit infused water and fresh fruit.

Fruit Infused Water Pitchers

I like to infuse my water in a pitcher with a lid. You can also use a water infuser pitcher that is specially designed to infuse fruits. You can also buy fruit-infused water bottles if you only want to make a small infusion to take along to the gym or a ball game.

It’s best to store your infusion in a fruit-infused water bottle or pitcher made from glass. Plastic can leach chemicals into your water and tends to retain flavors. Glass does not retain flavors and always tastes clean.

If you don’t have a fruit-infused water pitcher with a built-in infuser, use a piece of clean cheesecloth or a tea strainer to keep herbs like basil, lavender, and rosemary contained.

Fruit Infused Sparkling Water

If you happen to have a Soda Stream Machine, you may want to carbonate your infused water for a fun treat. The effervescence of sparkling fruit water is delightful.

Fruit Infused Water Benefits

Is Drinking Fruit Infused Water Good for You?

Yes, it is! Fruit-infused water has many health benefits, including:

  • Promoting increased water consumption to stay hydrated.
  • Reducing sugar consumption, thus helping to increase weight loss.
  • Detoxing effect – antioxidants in the water, and the larger consumption of water, help flush out toxins.
  • Increasing energy – some infused fruits and herbs help to increase energy and brain function.
tall glass filled with fruit infused water, fresh fruit, and ice.

Best Berry Recipes

Be sure to check out my easy drink recipes and the best recipes for summer here on CopyKat!

fruit infused water in two glasses.

Fruit Infused Water

It's so easy to make flavorful water infused with fresh fruit, berries, and herbs.
5 from 6 votes
Print Pin Rate Add to Collection
Course: Drinks
Cuisine: American
Keyword: Fruit Infused Water, Keto
Prep Time: 3 minutes
Cook Time: 2 minutes
Total Time: 5 minutes
Servings: 8
Calories: 19kcal

Ingredients

  • 1 1/2 quarts water
  • 1 1/2 cups strawberries
  • 1 cup blueberries
  • 10 leaves fresh basil

Instructions

  • Wash the strawberries, blueberries, and basil.
  • Hull the strawberries and quarter them.
  • Gently scrunch the basil leaves in your hands to release some of the oils from the leaves.
  • Place the berries and basil in a 2-quart pitcher.
  • Add enough water to fill the pitcher.
  • Allow the fruit to infuse for at least 2 hours before serving.
  • After 4 to 6 hours, discard the fruit.
  • Before serving, add some freshly cut strawberries and a few blueberries.

Nutrition

Calories: 19kcal | Carbohydrates: 4g | Protein: 0g | Fat: 0g | Saturated Fat: 0g | Cholesterol: 0mg | Sodium: 9mg | Potassium: 55mg | Fiber: 0g | Sugar: 3g | Vitamin A: 10IU | Vitamin C: 17.7mg | Calcium: 10mg | Iron: 0.2mg

About Stephanie Manley

I recreate your favorite restaurant recipes, so you can prepare these dishes at home. I help you cook dinner, and serve up dishes you know your family will love. You can find most of the ingredients for all of the recipes in your local grocery store.

Stephanie is the author of CopyKat.com's Dining Out in the Home, and CopyKat.com's Dining Out in the Home 2.

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Sheri B.

    5 stars
    I too have never tried infused water But it looks delicious! I will give it a try. I think this will get me to drink more water!
    Thank you so much for this recipe!
    May God Bless you!

  2. Gil

    5 stars
    I make my “summer water” by infusing mint leaves and sliced lemons. It is a big hit at cookouts and bar be cues. I am anxious to try strawberries, blueberries and basil.

  3. Loraine

    I have never made infused water before. I didn’t see any directive on what to do with the blueberries. Should they be cut in half and added?

  4. Sharon

    This was soooo good and easy! Have you tried this using frozen fruit? I’m a ‘water baby’ and want to have this in my fridge year round.

    Thanks so much for sharing this.

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