Polish Kompot: Strawberry Fruit Drink [RECIPE!] | Polonist (2024)

Kompot z Truskawek

“Cool off with a pitcher of refreshing strawberry kompot, the perfect beverage for summer lunches and family get-togethers.”

How to pronounce it?
com-pot true-skav-kovyh
‘Play’ to hear:

Polish Kompot: Strawberry Fruit Drink [RECIPE!] | Polonist (1)
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The abundance of gorgeous summer fruit available right now is just begging to be used as much as possible.

And with the thermometer reaching 35 degrees today (95°F), I can’t think of anything better than a glass of chilled strawberry kompot (pronounced: com-pot).

Polish Kompot: Strawberry Fruit Drink [RECIPE!] | Polonist (2)

But Wait! What Is Kompot Exactly?

Kompot – a traditional Polish drink – is fundamentally a fruit decoction. It’s also popular across Eastern & Central Europe (among our Scandinavian friends as well!).

In summer, kompot served as a cold, refreshing drink. In winter, it’s offered warm – often with some extra spices and dried fruit.

Brewing kompot at home is quick and simple.

How do I know that? Well, I read “Kuchnia Polska”. It’s the 1960s-70s Polish cookbook-slash-“recipe bible”.
I followed the instructions from there and was *amazed* by the results!

How To Make Kompot At Home?

Simply boil a large pot of water. In the meantime, wash and pit & peel (if necessary) raw fruit of your choice.

Right now we’re in the middle of the strawberry season in Poland, so I’m going with that. But you could also choose apples, pears, plums, apricots, rhubarb, berries, cherries, currants… options are endless.

As a rule of thumb, aim for a ratio of 500 grams (roughly 1 pound) of fruit per 1 litre (just under 4.5 cups) of water.

Chop larger fruit into pieces and drop them into boiling water.

Polish Kompot: Strawberry Fruit Drink [RECIPE!] | Polonist (3)

Switch heat to medium and cook harder fruit (apples, pears) for around 10 minutes. Softer fruits (berries, currants and such) need 3-4 minutes at most.

The key is to keep their shape intact, so don’t overcook them.

Polish Kompot: Strawberry Fruit Drink [RECIPE!] | Polonist (4)

Extra bits:

  • Additional sweeteners (sugar, honey) is optional, but I find that sweeter fruit need hardly needs any at all.
  • Dried fruit adds another dimension! Try with prunes, dried pears, apples, apricots, figs…
  • Herbs: Fresh mint and rosemary work nicely. Some recipes mention linden blossom and mullein leaves.
  • Spices: cloves, cinnamon, fresh ginger root, vanilla, star anise – all of these add aroma to kompot. Perfect for colder days.

Fun fact: Don’t make my mistake – kompot drink can be confused with its 300 years younger French sister: compote (a much thicker fruit dessert). While it’s perfect as a sweet treat, compote would be tricky to drink.

Polish Kompot: Strawberry Fruit Drink [RECIPE!] | Polonist (5)

From Canteens To The Gourmet Beverage Scene

Kompot was extremely popular until the ’80s. Then it got overturned by dizzy sodas and tetra-packed fruit juices.

Luckily, with a wave of nostalgia and a trend towards healthy living, kompot has returned to the Polish tables. You can still order it in Milk bars, but now it also makes regular appearances in hip bars & restaurants.

Kompot is a wonderful (and much healthier!) alternative to store-bought drinks and juices. Kids love it too, which is a bonus.

Don’t wait, give it a go yourself!

Question Time: What to do with the leftover fruit?
The fruit gets poured into a pitcher together with the liquid. Once you’re done drinking the liquid part, eat the remaining fruit with a fork. That’s a dessert on its own merit!

Yield: 6

Polish Strawberry Kompot

Polish Kompot: Strawberry Fruit Drink [RECIPE!] | Polonist (6)

Put those amazing strawberries to use with this summery kompot! It’s light, refreshing, and perfect for get-togethers. What more could you want?

Prep Time8 minutes

Cook Time10 minutes

Total Time18 minutes

Ingredients

  • 2 litres (0,5 gallon) water
  • 500 g (approx. 1 lb) fresh strawberries
  • 125g (0.25 lb) rhubarb, chopped
  • 125g (0.25 lb) nectarines
  • 100g (8 tbsp) fine sugar
  • 1 tbsp citrus zest
  • a few mint leaves

Instructions

  1. Bring the water to boil in a large pot.
  2. Wash strawberries, remove the caps. If they're large, chop them. Keep small strawberries whole.
  3. Add sugar to the boiling water (optional), stir.
  4. Drop in the fruit. Reduce the heat to medium. If you're using harder fruit (apples, pears, rhubarb), cook for 10 minutes or so. If you're going for soft berries/currants only, 4 minutes is enough.
  5. Remove from heat. Serve warm or leave to chill.
  6. Serve with citrus zest / mint leaves or other add-ons of your choice.

Notes

  • I've replaced some strawberries with leftover rhubarb and 2 small nectarines. As long as the total fruit-to-water ratio is correct, you can mix and match!
  • I've adapted this recipe from "Kuchnia Polska" by Stanisław Berger (13th edition, 1969, pages 482-483)
  • You'll need an additional 2 hours to chill your kompot. You could also add some ice cubes in!

Nutrition Information:

Yield:

6

Serving Size:

1

Amount Per Serving:Calories: 80Total Fat: 0gSaturated Fat: 0gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 0gCholesterol: 0mgSodium: 2mgCarbohydrates: 20gFiber: 1gSugar: 19gProtein: 0g

Polish Kompot: Strawberry Fruit Drink [RECIPE!] | Polonist (7)

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Recipe Information

Filed under:

Polish Kompot: Strawberry Fruit Drink [RECIPE!] | Polonist (8)

Drinks

all-Polish (Popular Nationwide)

Comfort Food, , Summer

Alternative traditional/regional names:

Also known / Misspelt internationally as:
Kompocik, Compote, Polish Fruit Drink

Tested by:

First published on:

Recipe by / Adapted from:

Story by:

Bibliography / References:

Polish Kompot: Strawberry Fruit Drink [RECIPE!] | Polonist (2024)

FAQs

What is kompot in english? ›

Kompot or compot, as prepared in Central and Eastern Europe and West Asia, refers to boiled fruits (typically fresh or dried) served either as a drink or a dessert depending on the region.

What's the difference between compote and kompot? ›

Compote. While the terms “kompot” and “compote” may sound similar, they refer to slightly different culinary creations. Kompot is a beverage made by cooking fruits or berries with water, whereas compote typically refers to a sweet, thickened fruit mixture often served as a dessert or accompaniment to other dishes.

How long does kompot last in the fridge? ›

The specific recipe you linked to - Transfer compote to impeccably clean containers. Refrigerate for up to 1 week.

Is kompot good for you? ›

Kompot is the solution! It is such a great alternative to juice. It has wayyyy less sugar (especially when you don't add sugar), and it's super hydrating because it's mostly just water. It's bound to be a total hit for the kids and grown-ups in your life!

What country is kompot from? ›

Kompot (Компот) is a fruit drink popular in Ukraine and other European countries. It is sweet, fruity, and so refreshing. Do not confuse it with Compote - fruit sauce.

What does kompot taste like? ›

Flavor: The flavor of kompot is a balance of super sweet sugar and fruity strawberries. Texture: The texture of kompot is silky smooth like juice, with the addition of the floating stewed fruit (if you don't prefer the texture, feel free to strain the strawberries out).

Does kompot have alcohol? ›

This sugary, syrupy, fruity, non-alcoholic co*cktail is commonly known as kompot. Kompot has been referred to as the fruit punch of Eastern Europe, and it's popular everywhere from Russia to Macedonia.

What is the meaning of strawberry compote? ›

Compote is a simple fruit sauce made with pieces of fresh (or frozen) fruit and some sugar, cooked briefly on the stove. You could call the end result a textured fruit sauce or chunky fruit syrup.

What is the shelf life of kompot? ›

Kompot, not to be confused with the American 'compote', is a traditional Eastern European way of preserving fruit in a flavored beverage, without actually pressing or juicing it. This method actually allows for a much longer shelf-life allowing you to enjoy the juice for a couple of weeks rather than a couple of days.

What happens when fruit juice goes bad? ›

Drinking spoiled juice can cause stomachaches and diarrhea. Your kids can get sick from improperly pasteurized juice. Pasteurization refers to heating juice to kill bacteria. Unpasteurized juices or poorly pasteurized juices can cause serious food-borne diseases such as E.

What is the purpose of fruit compote? ›

A compote can go with almost everything you eat—from breads and desserts to pork and cheeses. You can serve a compote warm or chilled, chunky or smooth, making it a highly versatile condiment, topping, or accessory to various dishes.

What are the benefits of fruit compote? ›

Incorporating compote into your diet can aid in maintaining optimal digestive function. Sustained Energy Release: The natural sugars present in the fruits used to prepare seven-fruit compote provide a sustained source of energy, making it an ideal addition to your breakfast or snack routine.

How do you store kompot? ›

Store Kompot jars in a cool place. They will be good for up to 1 year after making. To enjoy Kompot, fill a glass with ice and pur some of the Kopmot liquid leaving off the fruit (some people like to eat the fruit). Store opened Kompot jars in the refrigerator.

Is compote just jam? ›

Jam is made from crushed or chopped fruit and sugar, and has a chunky texture. Jelly is made from fruit juice and sugar, and has a smooth, translucent texture. Compote is made from whole or large pieces of fruit that are cooked in a syrup made from sugar and water. It has a thicker texture than jelly.

Is compot like jam? ›

Compote and jam are relatively similar and you can substitute one for another with certain considerations. Compote is less spreadable. Most jam has a fairly uniform consistency, which makes it easy to spread. Compote, which may feature whole pieces of fruit, can be a bit harder to evenly spread.

What is a compote of fruit? ›

com·​pote ˈkäm-ˌpōt. 1. : fruits cooked in syrup. 2. : a bowl usually with a base and stem from which compotes, fruits, nuts, or sweets are served.

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