Kompot Fruit Drink
A gently sweetened Eastern European fruit drink made by simmering mixed berries and stone fruit in water with sugar and a touch of lemon, served warm in winter or chilled over ice in summer.
Ingredients
- 2 cups mixed berries (fresh or frozen; strawberries, raspberries, or blueberries)
- 1 cup tart cherries (fresh or frozen; pitted), pitted
- 1 apple, cored, sliced
- 8 cups water
- 6 tbsp granulated sugar
- 1 lemon, sliced
- 1 cinnamon stick
Instructions
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1
Combine the 8 cups water and 6 tbsp granulated sugar in a large pot over medium heat. Stir until the sugar dissolves.
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2
Add the 2 cups mixed berries (fresh or frozen; strawberries, raspberries, or blueberries), 1 cup pitted tart cherries (fresh or frozen; pitted), 1 cored, sliced apple, 1 sliced lemon, and 1 cinnamon stick. Bring to a boil.
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3
Reduce heat and simmer for 15 minutes until the fruit is very soft and the liquid is deeply colored and lightly sweet.
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4
Remove the cinnamon stick and lemon slices. Taste and adjust sugar if desired.
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5
To serve warm, ladle into mugs with some fruit. To serve cold, let cool to room temperature, then refrigerate until chilled. Serve over ice.