A fragrant, gently sweet compote of dried apples, pears, prunes, and cherries — the traditional Christmas Eve beverage of Ukraine.
Nutrition & Info
Equipment Needed
Presentation Guide
Vessel: glass pitcher and tumblers
Garnishes: cinnamon stick, dried fruit in glass
Accompaniments: kutia
Instructions
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1
Rinse all dried fruits thoroughly under cold water.
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2
Bring 8 cups of water to a boil in a large pot.
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3
Add dried apples and pears first, simmer 15 minutes.
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4
Add prunes, cherries, cinnamon stick, and cloves. Simmer 10 more minutes.
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5
Remove from heat, stir in honey, and let cool to room temperature.
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6
Serve chilled or at room temperature with the fruit in the glass.
Did You Know?
Uzvar is always paired with kutia on Christmas Eve — the two together symbolize the cycle of life, death, and rebirth.
Chef's Notes
Equipment Tips
- large pot
- ladle
- serving glasses
Garnishing
cinnamon stick, dried fruit in glass
Accompaniments
kutia
The Story Behind Узвар
Uzvar is an ancient Ukrainian beverage whose name comes from the word 'zvaryty' (to brew). It predates tea and coffee in Ukrainian households and was the primary preserved fruit drink through the long winter months.
As the traditional drink of Christmas Eve, uzvar completes the ritual pairing with kutia and is considered essential to the twelve-dish holy supper.
Today uzvar is experiencing a renaissance in Ukrainian craft beverage culture, with artisan producers creating small-batch versions using heritage fruit varieties from Ukrainian orchards.
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