Traditional Polish Kompot Recipe [Supereasy 5 Minute Recipe] (2025)

Kompot is probably the most popular non-alcoholic Polish drink. It can be found in every home in Poland. The kompot recipe is ridiculously easy, you can make it with just three ingredients, where one of which is… water. Perfect for a homemade fruit drink!

What Is Kompot?

Kompot is a non-alcoholic fruit drink that’s popular in Eastern European and Balkan countries. It most probably originated in Russia around the 15th century. It was mostly used as a method to preserve fruits for the long winter months when fruits were scarce, just like sauerkraut was invented as a means to store cabbage.

Made without fermentation, kompot is non-alcoholic drink that the entire family can enjoy. In fact, it is absolutely loved by children, and because it is very healthy, they can enjoy it as much as they want. It can be served hot or cold and is popular all year round.

In Polish cuisine, kompot is usually made with seasonal fruits. All you need are fruits, water, and sweetener (optionally). However, it can also be made with dried fruits sometimes.This method is especially popular in the winter months and at Christmas when we make the kompot z suszu.

Traditional Polish Kompot Recipe [Supereasy 5 Minute Recipe] (1)

How To Make Kompot?

The Polish kompot recipe is pretty easy to follow! Whether it is an apple kompot drink or a strawberry kompot recipe, the method is the same.

You start by washing the fruit and dicing them into smaller pieces if they are big enough. Add the fruit to a large pot and cover with water. If you plan on separating the fruit later, use a pot with a lid so you can easily strain the liquid out.

Allow it to boil for about half an hour and add sweeteners while it’s cooling. Serve warm or chilled!

In some areas of Poland, the kompot is served slightly thickened. It is achieved by adding to the boiling drink a small amount of potato flour/cornstarch mixed in with cold water.

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Kompot Is Not Only A Drink!

Kompot is a perfect base product if you want to make homemade kisiel (follow the link for the recipe). You can either use the fruit drink itself, add some fresh fruits, or even blend the once you have used for your kompot.

Another great and healthy(!) idea to use kompot is to turn it into a homemade fruit jelly .

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Traditional Polish Kompot Recipe [Supereasy 5 Minute Recipe] (4)

Kompot Recipe: General Cooking Tips!

So here are the main tips for how to make kompot perfectly!

1. Fruits and water should be mixed in a one-to-two ratio.

It means that for every cup of fruit, you will need two cups of water.

Of course, you can change the proportions to add more or less water. But remember that the more water, the less expressive the taste!

2. When it comes to sweeteners, it’s not really necessary to add any!

The fruits are naturally sweet enough. However, if you prefer your beverages to be sweeter, you can use anything you want, including:

  • white sugar
  • brown sugar
  • xylitol
  • honey (wait until the compot is warm, don’t add honey to the boiling water)
  • erythritol
  • coconut sugar
  • stevia
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FAQs About The Kompot Drink

What Fruits Can You Make Kompot Of?

Any seasonal fruit works well for making the kompot drink, including:

  • red fruits (strawberries, raspberries, wild strawberries, berries, etc.)
  • green fruits and veggies (rhubarb, gooseberry, etc.)
  • tree fruits (peaches, apples, cherries, apricots, plums, etc.)

If fresh fruit is unavailable, the Polish compot can be made of frozen or dried fruits too.

How To Prepare Fruits For The Polish Kompot?

The fruits don’t require specific preparation. You simply need to wash them carefully. Bigger fruits, such as apples or peaches should be cut into smaller pieces.You don’t need to remove the pits or peel the fruits.

It is good to know that kompot is a zero-waste drink. Blended fruits are perfect to use for homemade smoothies, kisiel, and fruit jelly, or can be added to a pie.

What Is The Difference Between Compote And Polish Kompot/Compot?

Compote is a French dessert made with whole pieces of fruit being cooked in a thick sugar syrup. The ingredients are similar to the kompot, but compote does not use as much water, and it’s closer in consistency to a jam or preserve. Kompot on the other hand is a drink made with water and fruits and sugar is only added if required.

What Are The Best Spices For Making Fruit Kompot?

Although just fruits and water work fine, you can add these spices to your Polish kompot if you like:

  • ginger
  • cinnamon
  • mint
  • cloves

If you aim for a more refreshing drink, try squeezing some lemon in.

How Can I Store Kompot?

When the kompot is ready, you can either allow it to cool and store it in the fridge for up to 3 days. Or pasteurize it and store it for up to a year. Keep it mind that once you open the pasteurized jar, you need to drink the beverage within 48 hours.

How To Pasteurize Polish Kompot?

Polish kompot can be pasteurized by boiling the filled jars in hot water for about 30 to 40 minutes. Here is my easy pasteurization guide.

Simple Polish Kompot Recipe

Yield: 8 servings

Traditional Polish Kompot Recipe

Traditional Polish Kompot Recipe [Supereasy 5 Minute Recipe] (6)

Kompot is probably the most popular non-alcoholic Polish drink. It can be found in every home in Poland. The Polish kompot recipe is ridiculously easy, and perfect for a homemade fruit drink!

Ingredients

  • 1 gallon of water
  • 4 lbs of fruits (apples, plums, cherries, etc.)
  • 4 tablespoons of sweetener (optional)

Instructions

  1. Wash the fruits and put them into the pot. Bigger fruits such as apples or pears should be cut into smaller pieces.
  2. Pour in the water.
  3. Boil on medium heat for about half an hour.
  4. Add sweetener (optionally).
  5. Serve or pasteurize and store.

Nutrition Information:

Yield:

8

Serving Size:

1

Amount Per Serving: Calories: 137Total Fat: 1gSaturated Fat: 0gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 0gCholesterol: 0mgSodium: 23mgCarbohydrates: 35gFiber: 5gSugar: 24gProtein: 2g

These data are indicative and calculated by Nutritionix

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Traditional Polish Kompot Recipe [Supereasy 5 Minute Recipe] (7)

Traditional Polish Kompot Recipe [Supereasy 5 Minute Recipe] (2025)

FAQs

What's the difference between compote and kompot? ›

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. When served as a dessert, it is essentially identical to the French compote, which is where the term "kompot" originates from.

What is kompot made of? ›

You only need two ingredients to make it—fruit, and water. The basic ratio is one part fruit to four parts water. Some kompot recipes call for sugar, but if the fruit is sweet and ripe enough, you really don't need it.

Is kompot Slavic? ›

A classic Slavic childhood fruit drink to quench your thirst! Perhaps the best part of preparing kompot is the light aroma that fills the room as the juice drink boils.

What is the origin of kompot? ›

Kampot and pepper, centuries of heritage.

Chinese explorer Tchéou Ta Kouan describes Cambodian pepper production as early as the 13th century. Intensive pepper production goes back to the beginning of the Aceh war in Indonesia (1873-1908).

How long does kompot last? ›

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).

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.

What is the difference between coulis and compote? ›

Coulis can be made by pureeing fruits or vegetables, whereas compote is prepared by cooking down fruits until soft. Coulis is basically a fruit in pureed form, but compote has additional ingredients like spices and dried fruits, which lend a complex flavor.

What's the difference between compote and puree? ›

The Culinary Institute of America considers compote to be one of two types of fruit sauce: there's coulis, made with smooth, pureed fruit and then there's compote, which is a chunky mixture.

Is kompot bulgarian? ›

This sweet, cold drink is refreshing on a hot summer's day and, in the winter, Bulgarian children enjoy kompot as part of the traditional Christmas celebration. Feel free to use your favorite fruit to make this recipe your own. Mint could even be added for fresh flavor.

What's the difference between Mors and kompot? ›

Kompot is similar to mors but whereas mors is made with berries, other fruit is boiled with sugar and water to make kompot. The most traditional flavours are apple, apricot, peach or just a mix of dried fruit.

What is Armenian compote? ›

This is a dessert drink from fruits and berries, or a mixture of fruits in syrup, as well a mix of dried fruits or dried berries. Compote is an extremely nutritious drink with a unique flavor. It perfectly quenches your thirst at summertime.

What is kompot famous for? ›

Kampot province is also renowned for the quality of its fruits (durian, coconut, mango, etc.), its sea salt and of course the famous Kampot Pepper.

What is 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.

Where did kompot originate? ›

Kompot facts for kids
Traditional Bulgarian kompot
Alternative namesCompot
Place of originEurope; primarily Eastern and Balkans
Serving temperatureCold, hot, or room temperature
Main ingredientsVarious fruit
2 more rows
Oct 16, 2023

What makes something a compote? ›

Compote (or compôte) is French for “mixture.” It is basically a sweet, chunky fruit sauce made with whole or chopped fresh or frozen fruit and sugar.

What's the difference between compote and coulis? ›

Key Differences

Coulis can be made by pureeing fruits or vegetables, whereas compote is prepared by cooking down fruits until soft. Coulis is basically a fruit in pureed form, but compote has additional ingredients like spices and dried fruits, which lend a complex flavor.

What is the difference between a compote and a comport? ›

A compote is a pedastaled formed item comprising of a solid base with some sort of stem and a deep bowl on top, it can have a lid or not. The “term” comport means essentially the same thing and is often thought of as a earlier word from days gone by.

What is the difference between compote and chutney? ›

Chutney: A cooked combination of fruit, vinegar, sugar, and spices. Ketchup is a type of chutney. Compote: Fresh or dried fruits that have been slowly cooked in a sugar syrup.

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