Uzvar
Uzvar is a traditional Ukrainian drink made from dried apples, pears, prunes and raisins, sweetened with honey, that is always prepared for Christmas Eve and Christmas.
Ingredients
- dried apples150 g
- dried pears100 g
- prunes80 g
- raisins50 g
- honey50 g
Instructions
Rinse the dried fruit (apples, pears, prunes, raisins) in a colander under running water to wash off any dust and sugary coating.
Put the dried apples and pears into a pot, pour in 2 L of cold water and bring to a boil over medium heat.
Reduce the heat to low, cover with a lid and simmer for 15 minutes.
Add the prunes and simmer for another 5 minutes, then add the raisins and cook for 2-3 minutes more (about 20-25 minutes of cooking in total).
Remove the pot from the heat, cover tightly with a lid and let the uzvar steep for at least 2 hours.
Once the drink has cooled to about 40-50°C, stir in the honey until fully dissolved — don't add honey to hot uzvar, so as to preserve its aroma and beneficial properties.
If you like, strain out the fruit and serve the uzvar warm or chilled.
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