Kompot (Homemade Fruit Drink Recipe)
Kompot is a homemade fruit drink that turns seasonal or overripe apples, stone fruit, and berries into a chilled drink sweetened to taste.
Servings 10 servings
Ingredients
- 1 pound apples halved
- 1 pound stone fruit (such as plums, apricots, peachs) halved and pitted
- 1-2 pounds berries (such as strawberries, raspberries, blueberries, blackberries) fresh or frozen
- 1 gallon water
- 1 cup sweetener of choice (sugar, honey, or mix) more as needed
- ½ lemon, juiced
Instructions
- Add 1 pound apples, 1 pound stone fruit (such as plums, apricots, peachs), and 1 gallon water to a large stockpot. Bring to a boil, then reduce to a simmer.
- Simmer for about 45-50 minutes, until the fruit has softened and released lots of flavor into the water.
- Stir in 1-2 pounds berries (such as strawberries, raspberries, blueberries, blackberries) and continue to simmer for another 20-25 minutes.
- Strain through a fine mesh sieve into a large bowl or another pot. Add 1 cup sweetener of choice (sugar, honey, or mix) and stir to dissolve. If using honey, wait until the liquid has cooled slightly first, so you don't destroy the live enzymes in the honey.
- Stir in the ½ lemon, juiced and pour into bottles or jars. Chill in the fridge before serving.
Notes
Nutrition Facts above are calculated using apples, plums, strawberries, and honey as sweetener.
Storage: Store kompot in a sealed jar or pitcher in the fridge for up to a week. It's traditionally served chilled, but if you want it warm, heat gently on the stovetop over low heat.
Helpful Tips:
- Don't rush the simmer. The long stew time is what pulls the deep flavor and color out of the fruit, cutting it short leaves the kompot thin and underdeveloped.
- Cool slightly before adding honey. Stirring honey in while the liquid is still very hot destroys its live enzymes, wait until it's warm rather than boiling.
- Taste before adding all the sweetener. Fruit ripeness varies a lot, so add sweetener gradually and taste as you go instead of committing to the full amount upfront.
- Add a carrot or two for extra beta carotene. A sliced carrot simmered in with the fruit adds natural sweetness and beta carotene.
Nutrition
Calories: 164kcal | Carbohydrates: 43g | Protein: 1g | Fat: 0.4g | Saturated Fat: 0.03g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 0.1g | Sodium: 21mg | Potassium: 214mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 39g | Vitamin A: 188IU | Vitamin C: 36mg | Calcium: 27mg | Iron: 0.5mg