At Ukrainian Flavors, we love to share not only Ukrainian food but also traditional drinks that make the holiday table complete. One of the most beloved is Uzvar — a sweet, fragrant dried fruit compote served at Christmas Eve dinner.
What is Uzvar?
Uzvar is more than just a drink. It is a symbol of life and health, made from simple ingredients: dried apples, pears, prunes, raisins, and honey. Its deep, rich flavor comes from slow simmering, which allows the fruits to release their natural sweetness into the water. For centuries, uzvar has been served alongside kutia, making it one of the two dishes that never disappear from the Ukrainian Christmas Eve table.
A Tradition Passed Through Generations
In our family, uzvar was always prepared in a large pot the night before Christmas Eve. The house would fill with the aroma of dried apples and honey, and for us, that smell meant the holiday had truly arrived. Uzvar was served cool, in small cups, so everyone at the table could share in this blessing of health and togetherness.
Adapting Uzvar in the USA
Living in America, we understand it can be a challenge to find the exact dried fruits we used in Ukraine. But the beauty of uzvar is its flexibility. Here in the U.S., you can easily find dried apples, pears, prunes, raisins, apricots, or even cranberries in most grocery stores or farmers’ markets. Each fruit adds its own flavor, so you can mix and match to create your own perfect version.
Uzvar Recipe (Adapted for the U.S.)
Ingredients:
- 2 cups mixed dried fruit (apples, pears, prunes, apricots, raisins, cranberries)
- 8 cups water
- ½ cup honey or sugar (to taste)
- Optional: a cinnamon stick, cloves, or lemon zest for extra aroma
Instructions:
- Rinse dried fruit well to remove any dust.
- Place in a large pot with 8 cups of water.
- Bring to a boil, then lower the heat and simmer gently for 20–30 minutes.
- Remove from heat and let it steep, covered, until cool.
- Add honey or sugar to taste once slightly cooled.
Serve uzvar cool or at room temperature. It pairs beautifully with kutia and other traditional Ukrainian Christmas dishes.
