Star Spangled Fruit Infused Water ~ don’t save this patriotic thirst quencher for Memorial Day or the 4th of July ~ stay healthy and hydrated all summer long with this colorful fruit infused red white and blueberry water.
The problem with so many red white and blue themed foods is that they’re often filled with sugar, artificial colors, and processed ingredients — but it doesn’t have to be that way, my healthy no-sugar fruit infused water is naturally ‘patriotic’, and can stand in for sodas and punches throughout the summer months and beyond. The fruit gradually flavors the water and the longer it sits, the more flavor you’ll get. Luckily the iconic fruit of the season just happens to be perfectly suited to a ‘red white and blueberry’ theme!
I chose watermelon, strawberries, and blueberries for my water. You’ll need a seedless watermelon and a small star cookie cutter for the watermelon stars. I like to slice the end off the melon so it will be stable on my cutting surface, and then slice the whole thing in thin slices. If you’d like step by step instructions I show you how in this SUMMER MELON SALAD post. It’s just like cutting cookies, only it’s melon! Be sure to cut more than you think you’ll need because there will be lots of watermelon star snacking going on, trust me.
The fruit from the melon and the berries will infuse into the water almost immediately, and will get stronger the longer it sits.
TIP: Don’t plan on assembling your Star Spangled Fruit Infused Water too far in advance or the fruit won’t look its best. An hour or two ahead is plenty.
I serve my water out of pretty large glass beverage dispensers. I use them all summer long because they’re so convenient for serving beverages to a crowd. They come in lots of shapes and sizes, and some even have metal stands to set them up higher. When you add colorful fruit to your water, lemonade, iced tea, or even a spiked punch, the dispenser becomes the centerpiece of your party. I use mine for serving my SUMMER PEACH AND BASIL SANGRIA, too.
TIP: Large glass dispensers make entertaining so much easier because all you do is fill them and forget them…and let your guests serve themselves.
The cool thing is, you can keep refilling the container with fresh water all day long, the fruit will continue to flavor it for hours! And you don’t have to stick to the fruit I’ve chosen, almost any type of fruit will work for this ~
- citrus fruits like orange and grapefruit
- apples
- peaches, plums
- raspberries
- pineapple
- kiwi
- honeydew or cantaloupe melon
- papaya and mango
Check out my HOW TO MAKE HEALTHY INFUSED WATER for lots of creative inspiration!
Star Spangled Fruit Infused Water
Ingredients
- 1 small seedless watermelon
- 1 pint blueberries
- 1 pint strawberries
Instructions
- Cut the ends off the watermelon and stand on a cutting surface. Slice it into thin slices.
- Use a small star cookie cutter to cut out stars.
- Slice the strawberries in half.
- Fill a large water dispenser or container with filtered water. Add the fruit and let sit for at least an hour before serving.
- Serve over ice with more fresh fruit in each glass.
Don’t forget to pin my Star Spangled Fruit Infused Water!
*This post first appeared on Super Healthy Kids, where I am an occasional contributor.

27 Comments
Tara
October 10, 2018 at 5:39 pmIm a little over a year late on this. I just started fruit infused water and looking for basic strawberry blueberry recipes. I’m just curious if you put the blueberries in whole or if you squeeze them a bit to open them. Just curious how well they flavor infuses being whole
Sue
October 10, 2018 at 6:00 pmFor the best flavor you should give them a little squeeze, Tara.
Tiffany
June 24, 2018 at 5:12 pmCan I use sparkling water?
Sue
June 24, 2018 at 6:26 pmSure, I think that would be really refreshing.
Tiffany
June 2, 2018 at 11:52 amHey Sue, I can’t find a small star cookie cutter for the watermelon. All I found is a large size star cookie cutter. Can I use it?
Sue
June 2, 2018 at 12:19 pmSure, the only thing is it might not hold together as well, since depending on your watermelon it can be soft and loose in the middle. I’d cut it on the thick side for stability.
Tricia @ Saving Room for Dessert
May 24, 2017 at 3:47 pmI am absolutely going to do this! It’s so pretty and I bet it tastes terrific. We adore watermelon anyway. Great, creative and gorgeous idea Sue!
cheri
May 21, 2017 at 10:49 amThis has to be the prettiest infused water i have ever seen. Your an artist with food Sue!
Sue
May 21, 2017 at 11:23 amThanks Cheri <3
Debbi
May 20, 2017 at 3:37 pmLove the ideas for fruit infused water.
Dana Gerard
May 20, 2017 at 6:50 amSue, about the dessert question: it’s a toss up. I love your desserts, but I also really enjoy your creative ideas for Main dishes, salads and sides, especially one pot meals or a dish that cuts down on ingredients or time. Keep up the delicious and beautiful work! Thank you.
Sue
May 20, 2017 at 7:21 amThanks Dana, I love both too, but those dessert recipes definitely have more drawing power, at least as far as blog traffic and Pinterest is concerned! But don’t worry, I’ll never give up on regular food 😉
Rose
May 20, 2017 at 6:40 amSuper for having fun at a a BBQ!
Requesting more healthy& easy ideas for the BBQ for family get-togethers please. Have a LOT of company this summer and if I can’t BBQ it, it is NOT making it on the menu plan.
LOVE your blog!
Happy almost summer 🙂
Sue
May 20, 2017 at 7:23 amThat’s interesting Rose, I don’t do a lot of BBQ specific recipes. I do tons of pasta and potato salad type things for sides, but I need to up my grill game. So glad you love the blog, that means so much to me, thanks!!
Karen @ Seasonal Cravings
May 20, 2017 at 6:29 amWhat a creative idea and makes such a beautiful addition to a holiday table. Love it!
Jennifer @ Seasons and Suppers
May 20, 2017 at 5:13 amSuch a great idea! I have a maple leaf cutter, so I’m thinking I could do an awesome Canadian version for Canada’s 150th July 1 🙂
Sue
May 20, 2017 at 6:29 amGreat idea!
[email protected]'s Recipes
May 20, 2017 at 2:34 amA fantastic fruity water for the hot summer days!
Robyn Gleason
May 20, 2017 at 2:33 amDo you dream of food, Sue? lol. From the moment I stepped into your blogging world so many years ago, you surprised me with you creativity and out of the box ideas. And you still do!
This is such a fun treat for summer and I can taste the yummy flavors now!
Chris Scheuer
May 19, 2017 at 3:26 pmSo darn pretty! And a friend just bought me a little star cutter! I know just what todo with it!
Sue
May 19, 2017 at 4:13 pmPerfect timing!
Liz
May 19, 2017 at 2:04 pmYour patriotic fruit infused water is fabulous!!! Perfect way to cool down at those holiday gatherings. Now I wish we were having our annual 4th of July party this year—such a pretty presentation!
Milena | Craft Beering
May 19, 2017 at 11:31 amCoolest idea ever! Not just for kids either. I bet many adults would like the see these in their cocktails. I am one:)
Sue
May 19, 2017 at 12:17 pmI should do a spiked version, for sure 🙂
JWT
May 19, 2017 at 10:51 amThe kids would love to do this ~ I’m going to try next weekend, thanks Sue!
Vicki Bensinger
May 19, 2017 at 9:11 amOh Susan I love the idea of cutting the watermelon into stars – brilliant! I’ll have to remember that July 4th. Great idea! I love infused water, and even though I’m a huge fan of drinking it plain it certainly takes water to an entirely new level. Fun recipe!!!
Sue
May 19, 2017 at 10:04 amThanks Vicki! Watermelon is perfect for cutting into shapes because you’ve got such a lot of flat surface area to work with 🙂