🇵🇱 Polish Kompot (Traditional Summer Fruit Drink)

A refreshing, old-fashioned fruit drink made by gently simmering fruit in water. A beloved Polish classic.

There are foods and drinks that bring us straight back to childhood — and for anyone who grew up in Poland before the 1990s, kompot is one of those memories. Long before Coca-Cola and fizzy drinks became an everyday thing, every grandmother and every mother had a pot of fruit simmering gently on the stove. It didn’t matter if it was cherry season, apple season, or the middle of winter with only dried fruit available… there was always something fruity bubbling away.

In the summer, especially when fruit was cheap and plentiful, kompot was the drink on every table. You’d walk into the kitchen and see a big pitcher on the counter just like the one in my photo below — ruby-red, slightly cloudy from the softened fruit, and chilled until tiny droplets formed on the glass. It was refreshing, honest, homemade, and full of real fruit flavor.

My family would make huge pots of kompot after visiting the market, using whatever fruit we picked up that day. Cherries, strawberries, currants, plums… it all ended up in the pot. And because nothing went to waste, the cooked fruit was spooned into bowls and enjoyed after the meal. That soft, sweet fruit at the bottom of the glass was always my favorite part.

So today, we’re bringing that tradition into your kitchen. If you enjoy nostalgic, comforting recipes like my Wild Huckleberry Muffins or my cozy Hot Cocoa Cups, then Polish kompot is another delicious part of old-world homemaking you’ll fall in love with.

⭐ 2. Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Naturally refreshing — perfect for hot summer days
Uses simple, real ingredients
A traditional European drink with generations of history
Easy to make with fresh or frozen fruit
No artificial flavors or colors
Customizable for any season
Can be served hot or cold
Beautiful deep color (just like your photo!)

Whether you’re making it for a summer gathering or adding it to your holiday table, kompot always feels wholesome and homemade.

⭐ 3. Ingredients (With Tips & Substitutions)

Kompot is extremely flexible. Here’s the classic version that matches your deep red pitcher.

Main Ingredients

4–5 cups fresh or frozen fruit
– Cherries, strawberries, raspberries, plums, currants, cranberries
– A mix gives the rich dark color you see in your photo
8 cups water (2 liters)
½–1 cup sugar (adjust to taste)

Optional Flavor Boosters

2–3 whole cloves
½ cinnamon stick
½ lemon or 1–2 tablespoons lemon juice
1–2 tablespoons honey (added after cooking)

Fruit Options

This recipe works beautifully with:

Cherries (sweet or sour)
Strawberries
Raspberries
Blackberries
Plums
Apples
Pears
Fresh cranberries (holiday version!)

You can also use:

Frozen fruit
Canned fruit (drain syrup first)

⭐ 4. Step-by-Step Instructions

With your image included exactly how your workflow requires.

Step 1 — Add Fruit to a Large Pot

Place 4–5 cups of fruit into a large pot.
If using cherries or plums, pits are optional — some families leave them in.

Step 2 — Add Water

Pour in 8 cups of water.
Stir gently.

Step 3 — Add Sugar

Start with ½ cup.
Add more later depending on your fruit and your taste.

Step 4 — Bring to a Boil

Heat over medium-high until water begins to boil gently.

Step 5 — Add Spices (Optional)

Cloves
Cinnamon
Lemon slices

These deepen the flavor, especially in winter.

Step 6 — Simmer

Reduce heat and simmer 15–25 minutes.

Fruit should:

soften
release its juices
tint the water a beautiful ruby color

(Your pitcher is the perfect color — proof the simmer time was just right!)

Step 7 — Taste & Adjust

Add:

more sugar
a splash of lemon
honey

Adjust sweetness to your liking.

Step 8 — Cool Completely

Let kompot come to room temperature, then chill it in the fridge.

Step 9 — Serve

Serve cold with fruit still inside the pitcher — the most traditional way.

⭐ 5. Expert Tips & Troubleshooting

✔ Kompot too pale?

Use dark fruit (cherries, blackberries, currants).

✔ Too sweet?

Add lemon juice or dilute with cold water.

✔ Not sweet enough?

Add a tablespoon of sugar at a time until perfect.

✔ Fruit too mushy?

Reduce simmer time next batch.

✔ Want stronger flavor?

Simmer 10 minutes longer.

✔ Serving for guests?

Serve in clear glasses so the beautiful color shows.

⭐ 6. Variations & Add-Ins

🍒 Classic Cherry Kompot (Wiśniowy)

Use only cherries for a deep flavor.

🍎 Apple Kompot (Jabłkowy)

Add cinnamon stick + cloves.

🫐 Mixed Berry Kompot

Strawberries + raspberries + blueberries.

🍑 Summer Stone Fruit

Peaches + plums + apricots.

🍐 Pear Kompot

Delicate, lightly sweet, great warm.

🎄 Holiday Kompot

Cranberries + orange slices + cinnamon.

This winter version pairs beautifully with my Christmas Crack Snack Mix for holiday gatherings.

⭐ 7. Serving Suggestions

Serve kompot:

Chilled for summer dinners
Warm in winter with cloves and cinnamon
With meals, especially:
– potatoes
– cutlets
– cabbage rolls
At family gatherings and holidays
As an after-school drink for kids

And if you love cozy drinks, you’ll definitely want to try my Hot Cocoa Cups next time.

⭐ 8. Storage, Freezer & Make-Ahead

Refrigerator

Keeps 4–5 days.

Freezer

Freeze in jars (leave room at top!) up to 3 months.

Make-Ahead

Kompot tastes better after 12 hours — flavors deepen as it chills.

⭐ 9. FAQs

Is kompot healthy?
Yes — naturally sweetened, fruit-based, and hydrating.

Can I reuse the cooked fruit?
Absolutely. Eat it with yogurt, oatmeal, or freeze it for smoothies.

Can I make it sugar-free?
Yes — use honey or your preferred sweetener.

Do you drink the fruit pieces?
Yes! Kids especially love scooping the softened fruit.

Kompot is one of those beautiful, simple traditions that deserves to make a comeback. It’s refreshing, economical, kid-friendly, and full of natural fruit flavor. And when you serve it chilled in a glass pitcher, just like in the photo above, it brings a touch of old-world hospitality right to your table.

If you make this Polish kompot, I’d love to hear from you — leave a comment, rate the recipe, and don’t forget to pin it for summer!