How long does fruit infused water last?

Everyone knows they should be drinking more water, but some have a hard time enjoying it with the myriad of other flavor alternatives.

The solution? Infuse your water with fruit!

Whether you need to mix it up once in a while, want to induce yourself to drink more water, or just need something more refreshing on hot days, fruit infused water is the ultimate treat.

But how long does fruit infused water last? Although it can vary slightly depending on the ingredients you use, fruit infused water should be consumed within 4 hours if left at room temperature, but can stay fresh for up to 3 days if refrigerated.

In this article, we’ll look at how long you should leave your fruit in water, both for optimal flavor levels and to keep it fresh. We will also explain the difference between refrigerating or not refrigerating your infused water, as well as the best fruits to infuse your water.

What is fruit infused water?

Fruit infused water is any water that has been enriched with some variety of fruit, including fresh, frozen, and even juice.

The higher the water content of the fruit, the easier it will be to infuse your water.

You don’t even have to limit yourself to fruit, but you can also experiment with juicy vegetables or powerful herbs and spices. Although the fruit is definitely more popular.

How long do you have to infuse the fruit in the water?

The infusion time of the water will depend somewhat on personal preference and comfort.

If the water is at room temperature, 1-2 hours is enough for the fruit to add a good amount of flavor to the water.

If you refrigerate the water, it may take longer. 3-4 hours should be enough to have a well infused water, but if you like strong flavors you can leave the fruit up to 12 hours.

Once you’re happy with the flavor, it’s a good idea to strain the fruit. If you let it soak in the water for too long, especially if it’s not refrigerated, the fruit can start to break down and start to create an off-flavor.

How long does fruit infused water last?

As we have said before, fruit infused water should generally be consumed in about 4 hours if left at room temperature. It can probably last longer, but it’s always safer to enjoy food and drink before preparation if it’s not going to be stored.

However, if you refrigerate the water, it can stay fresh for about 3 days. You may be able to drink for a longer time, but since bits of fruit will inevitably remain, the water will often start to taste bitter and not be as pleasant.

How long can fruit be left in an infuser water bottle?

Fruit Infuser Bottles can start piling up as soon as the fruit starts to decompose. Small particles of decaying fruit can start to come out of the strainer, giving your water a grainy or weird texture.

How long you leave the fruit in your water bottle will depend on the type of fruit you used.

Citrus fruits last the longest in an infuser bottle; however, the shells can start to make the water bitter after a few hours.

The berries are very delicate and will break quickly , potentially getting stuck in the strainer and making it difficult to clean. Fruits in syrup, such as melons, can leave a film on the strainer if left in the infuser for too long.

Four hours in an infuser is usually the limit for most fruits, but it’s a good idea to keep an eye on the strainer beyond 2 hours.

Potential dangers of brewed water

Infused water, especially in special fruit-infused water bottles, has become a popular way to take a healthy drink on the go. Unfortunately, the moment you add fruit to the water, the risk associated with bacterial contamination begins.

This is especially concerning if your water is exposed to temperature fluctuations, such as going from hot summer air to an air-conditioned vehicle and vice versa.

Changes in temperature increase the likelihood that bacteria will grow inside your bottle, thanks to the fruit or compounds in it. Not many people worry about food poisoning from water, but it is possible, especially under the wrong circumstances.

If you’re an avid drinker of fruit water, focus on cleaning the bottle often and well. Frequent cleaning is an important, but often overlooked, aspect of caring for any water bottle.

Can lemon water go bad?

Lemon and other citrus fruits are perhaps the most common type of fruit used to infuse water. You can squeeze a wedge into a glass of water or leave several slices to soak in a pitcher, slowly infusing the water with its acidic juice.

How long does refrigerated lemon water last?

Refrigerating lemon or citrus infused water at 40 F or below should keep water fresh and safe for at least 3 days.

If possible, store the water in a container with a tight-fitting lid. This will help protect it from the less pleasant flavors in your fridge. It will also make the water more resistant to bacterial growth, keeping it fresh for as long as possible.

If you strain the lemons from the water after 8-12 hours, it can last even longer than 3 days. If you leave the fruit slices in the water, the fruit itself will start to rot, even if it’s kept cold, and the flavor will degrade more quickly.

How long does lemon water keep unrefrigerated?

If you don’t like cold water from the fridge or simply can’t keep lemon water refrigerated, you should drink it within 4 hours.

Fresh lemon juice has no added preservatives. Although citric acid is a natural preservative and lemons can keep for a while, lemons and lemon juice can go bad. Your lemon water can become contaminated if left out at room temperature for too long.

If your lemon water starts to taste flat instead of sour, stop drinking it. If the water becomes cloudier or darker than it was when you first infused it, it may have bacterial contamination and you should not continue drinking it.

How long does cucumber water last?

Next to citrus, cucumbers are one of the most popular ingredients to use in water. They have a smooth, comforting flavor that melts quickly in water.

Cucumber water should always be refrigerated or consumed within 2 hours. After a maximum of 12 hours in the fridge, strain the fruit from the water to prevent it from spoiling and contaminating the water with possible growth of mold or bacteria.

Once the cucumber is removed, it can remain in your fridge for up to 3 days.

The best fruit for the bottle of infused water

If you’re ready to move beyond lemon or cucumber water and start using your bottle for more complex infusions, you may be wondering what to put in your fruit infuser bottle.

If you like the taste of a fruit, vegetable, or even an herb, you can probably use it to infuse your water.

Here are some of our favorite fruits, vegetables, and herbs for infusing water:

• Crushed Blueberries Combined with Citrus
• Strawberry and crushed basil
• raspberry and rosemary
• orange and ginger
• pineapple and kiwi
• Celery, lime and crushed mint
• Cucumber and jalapeno

For best results, allow the water to infuse for up to 4 hours, then remove the solid ingredients. Keep it refrigerated for a maximum of 3 days.

Infused water with frozen fruit

Using frozen fruit and berries is a great way to infuse a glass or bottle of water, as it will chill it while infusing it with flavour. However, the flavor takes longer to develop in the water.

The best time to use frozen fruit is when you know you won’t be able to drink the water right away.

If, for example, you have to drive for an hour before a hike, using frozen fruit in your infuser water bottle will work well to keep your water fresh and cold for as long as possible and still infuse flavor when you’re ready to drink it.

Depending on how warm the air temperature is, you can typically expect to get at least 1 hour more safety from your fruit infused water when using frozen fruit and not refrigerating it.

Related questions

Does infused water have calories?

This question comes up more often among fasting and dieters. Will drinking infused water break your fast or compromise your daily caloric intake?

The complicated answer is that it depends.

If you sprinkle a wedge of lime into your water, no, there are few to no calories to contribute. Any strained and infused water should have negligible calories.

On the other hand, if you are mashing half a cup of berries into your water and consuming them along with the liquid, yes, your drink will have calories and will break your fast.

How do the flavors of the fruit combine?

Pairing fruit with other flavors can be a bit tricky if you’re new to cooking. That’s why we’ve put together an ultimate chart guide to the best fruit flavor pairings .

Is fruit infused water good for you?

Fruit-infused water is good for you in a number of ways. First of all, drinking water of any kind helps you stay hydrated. Proper hydration helps all bodily functions run smoothly, including blood pumping, lungs breathing, and brain thinking.

Beyond just hydration, if you use fruit-infused water as an alternative to sugar-laden beverages like sodas or even commercial juices, you’ll be drastically reducing your calorie and sugar intake. For some people, this is a very healthy change.

As for added nutrition, fruit infused water can boost the antioxidants and vitamins you consume throughout the day, but that will depend entirely on the quality, quantity, and type of fruit you use to infuse your water.

What is hydrogen infused water?

Hydrogen water, or hydrogen-infused water, is plain still water to which hydrogen has been added. Sometimes you can find pre-packaged hydrogen water or you can also add hydrogen water tablets to a glass of water at your home or office.

Current research on hydrogen water is very limited, so it is not yet considered reliable.

There are very few findings to suggest that hydrogen water may have an anti-inflammatory effect, helping to reduce the symptoms of aging and increasing muscle repair. It can also increase antioxidant properties.