UZVAR: A Traditional Ukrainian BEVERAGE

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Uzvar is a traditional, non-alcoholic Ukrainian and Eastern European beverage made from simmering various dried fruits (apples, pears, prunes, cherries, raisins) in water, sweetened with honey or sugar, and often flavored with spices like cinnamon or star anise; it's a symbolic, healthy drink, especially important for Ukrainian Christmas Eve (Sviata Vechera) but enjoyed year-round, served warm or cold.


Ingridiennts:
Fresh Apples - 1 kg (about 150g of dried)
Fresh Pears - 1 kg (about 150g of dried)
Dry plum - 50g
Sugar - 100-150g
Cinamon sticks - 2 sticks
Star anise - 2 stars
Cloves - 4 cloves
Water - 4 liters
Lemon - 1 fruit (optional, if there is not enough acid in the Uzvar)

Instructions:
- Cut the apples and pears into large slices.
- Dry them completely (best in the summer in the sun). This can be done in the oven at a temperature of 170°F = 77°C (turning on for 2-4 hours every day for 4-5 days).
- Pour the dried apples, pears, and plums into a large pot.
- Add the sugar, cinnamon sticks, star anise, and cloves to the pot.
- Pour in 4 liters of water.
- Bring the mixture to a boil over medium heat.
- Once boiling, reduce the heat and let it simmer gently for about 2 hours.
- If the UZVAR doesn't have enough acid, cut the lemon into rings and add to the pot.
- Let it boil for another 20-30 minutes.
- Leave to infuse overnight in a cold place.
- Strain the Uzvar through a fine mesh sieve to remove the solids.
- It can be enjoyed warm or chilled, based on your preference.

Enjoy making and sharing this nourishing and traditional Uzvar!

Tips:
- Feel free to experiment with other dried fruits such as cherries or raisins to enhance the flavor profile.
- Adjust the sweetness to your liking by adding more or less sugar, or substitute with honey if preferred.

 

[The Ghan]

I am going to have to try making that one day - it sounds great

 

[dragnlaw]

Good on you Ghan! When you do be sure to let us know how it went and how you enjoyed the taste!

 

[The Ghan]

 

[dragnlaw]

I made rumtopf quite a few years ago and I still have some. I looked at it last year and wondered if I dared to try some.
I put all sorts of fruits in during the fall, what ever fruits I came by. I kept adding fruit and topping it up. LOL it wasn't ready for that Christmas but the following year.
Was wicked on ice-cream. Or pound cake with whipped creme.

So maybe I should rethink the Uzvar for the kids during Christmas and/or those not wishing for a Hot Rum Toddy. I can see that being served in a mug with a small knob of butter and/or a cinnamon stick.

 

[CharlieD]

Uzvar is a traditional, non-alcoholic Ukrainian and Eastern European beverage made from simmering various dried fruits (apples, pears, prunes, cherries, raisins) in water, sweetened with honey or sugar, and often flavored with spices like cinnamon or star anise; it's a symbolic, healthy drink, especially important for Ukrainian Christmas Eve (Sviata Vechera) but enjoyed year-round, served warm or cold.


Ingridiennts:
Fresh Apples - 1 kg (about 150g of dried)
Fresh Pears - 1 kg (about 150g of dried)
Dry plum - 50g
Sugar - 100-150g
Cinamon sticks - 2 sticks
Star anise - 2 stars
Cloves - 4 cloves
Water - 4 liters
Lemon - 1 fruit (optional, if there is not enough acid in the Uzvar)

Instructions:
- Cut the apples and pears into large slices.
- Dry them completely (best in the summer in the sun). This can be done in the oven at a temperature of 170°F = 77°C (turning on for 2-4 hours every day for 4-5 days).
- Pour the dried apples, pears, and plums into a large pot.
- Add the sugar, cinnamon sticks, star anise, and cloves to the pot.
- Pour in 4 liters of water.
- Bring the mixture to a boil over medium heat.
- Once boiling, reduce the heat and let it simmer gently for about 2 hours.
- If the UZVAR doesn't have enough acid, cut the lemon into rings and add to the pot.
- Let it boil for another 20-30 minutes.
- Leave to infuse overnight in a cold place.
- Strain the Uzvar through a fine mesh sieve to remove the solids.
- It can be enjoyed warm or chilled, based on your preference.

Enjoy making and sharing this nourishing and traditional Uzvar!

Tips:
- Feel free to experiment with other dried fruits such as cherries or raisins to enhance the flavor profile.
- Adjust the sweetness to your liking by adding more or less sugar, or substitute with honey if preferred.

Never heard Uzvar using fresh apples and/or fresh pears. The whole point of it being used at the Christamas table that it is made that time of year and that is why the dried fruits are used.

 

[dragnlaw]

She has dried the apples and pears. She even suggests a way of doing them in the oven.

Fresh Apples - 1 kg (about 150g of dried)
Fresh Pears - 1 kg (about 150g of dried)

Dry them completely (best in the summer in the sun). This can be done in the oven at a temperature of 170°F = 77°C (turning on for 2-4 hours every day for 4-5 days).

perhaps she is suggesting this is how you would do it if you don't have the dried fruit already and must start with fresh. Make sense??

 

[CharlieD]

as always, i read have of the instruction, that is my clock light on my VCR is still blinking . If i could add emoji I would add slap my head emoji

 

[The Ghan]

as always, i read have of the instruction, that is my clock light on my VCR is still blinking . If i could add emoji I would add slap my head emoji

Makes no sense what so ever !

 

[dragnlaw]

Not to worry Charlie, we all do that at times! My blinking light says I understand - until I actually go to do then in comes the slapping blink of ... what does what .. ???
and usually by that time I no longer have the link to go back and check. sigh...

 

[SEEING-TO-BELIEVE]

my oven shuts down by itself after about 8 or 10 hours

i wish i could disable this feature because it is annoying when i prepare TBIT [rice and chicken made in the oven overnight]

 

[CharlieD]

my oven shuts down by itself after about 8 or 10 hours

i wish i could disable this feature because it is annoying when i prepare TBIT [rice and chicken made in the oven overnight]

I am sure you have dried fruits available in the store

 

[dragnlaw]

@SEEING-TO-BELIEVE you could probably get around that by resetting the oven just before you go to bed. If after 8 hours it shuts off while you are still sleeping the oven should still be warm an hour later along with the food inside. If you still think it needs longer just turn it back on when you get up.
That will work especially for dehydrating. I have turned off and reset my dehydrator while drying things with no problems many times.

 

[SEEING-TO-BELIEVE]

I am sure you have dried fruits available in the store

i will check.. i dont buy produce from certain origins

 

[CharlieD]

I'm sure you have more than one store.

 

[SEEING-TO-BELIEVE]

i mean certain countries but wasnt sure it is allowed to say it

 

[BAPyessir6]

Uzvar is a traditional, non-alcoholic Ukrainian and Eastern European beverage made from simmering various dried fruits (apples, pears, prunes, cherries, raisins) in water, sweetened with honey or sugar, and often flavored with spices like cinnamon or star anise; it's a symbolic, healthy drink, especially important for Ukrainian Christmas Eve (Sviata Vechera) but enjoyed year-round, served warm or cold.


Ingridiennts:
Fresh Apples - 1 kg (about 150g of dried)
Fresh Pears - 1 kg (about 150g of dried)
Dry plum - 50g
Sugar - 100-150g
Cinamon sticks - 2 sticks
Star anise - 2 stars
Cloves - 4 cloves
Water - 4 liters
Lemon - 1 fruit (optional, if there is not enough acid in the Uzvar)

Instructions:
- Cut the apples and pears into large slices.
- Dry them completely (best in the summer in the sun). This can be done in the oven at a temperature of 170°F = 77°C (turning on for 2-4 hours every day for 4-5 days).
- Pour the dried apples, pears, and plums into a large pot.
- Add the sugar, cinnamon sticks, star anise, and cloves to the pot.
- Pour in 4 liters of water.
- Bring the mixture to a boil over medium heat.
- Once boiling, reduce the heat and let it simmer gently for about 2 hours.
- If the UZVAR doesn't have enough acid, cut the lemon into rings and add to the pot.
- Let it boil for another 20-30 minutes.
- Leave to infuse overnight in a cold place.
- Strain the Uzvar through a fine mesh sieve to remove the solids.
- It can be enjoyed warm or chilled, based on your preference.

Enjoy making and sharing this nourishing and traditional Uzvar!

Tips:
- Feel free to experiment with other dried fruits such as cherries or raisins to enhance the flavor profile.
- Adjust the sweetness to your liking by adding more or less sugar, or substitute with honey if preferred.

Sounds like a better version of apple cider! I'll try this!

 

[SEEING-TO-BELIEVE]

can you replace sugar with sucarlose?
should it be added at the end if yes?