Magda's Cauldron

Kompot z suszu: Poland’s most controversial Christmas drink?

The Reddit Drama: Worst Polish Christmas Drink?

Is kompot z suszu the worst Polish Christmas drink? I saw this Reddit comment: “Ban it under chemical weapons law!” Dramatic, don’t you think? Step into a Polish shop in December and bam! that smoky fruit smell hits. I love it! Smoked flavor screams ham or kielbasa, right? But trust me, this dried fruit compote (kompot z suszu) turns into something special.

Why the smoky taste divides (and how to nail it)

Dried apples, plums, pears. You need to soak them overnight, and then slow-cook with cloves, cinnamon, cardamom, and anise. Cool it down. Add orange juice. It tastes like smoky scotch, but fruitier and kinder. It’s totally safe, works miracles for digestion after heavy Christmas Eve meals. Pour it fancy into champagne glasses, sip slow, and give it a try. Acquired taste? Oh yeah, but worth it!

Polish dried fruit compote – Kompot z suszu

• Servings: 6
• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 40 minutes
• Print

Traditional smoky Polish Christmas Eve drink—safe, digestion-friendly, with that bold acquired taste Reddit loves to joke about! Perfect for Wigilia.

Ingredients

• 250 g of smoked dried fruits (mix of apples, prunes, pears)
• a handful of dried cranberries
• a few slices of fresh ginger
• 2 l water
• 7 cloves
• 1 cinnamon stick
• 2 anise stars
• 2 cardamon pods
• juice from 1 orange

Directions

1. In a medium pot, combine ginger, smoked dried fruits, cranberries, and water. 2. Soak overnight. 3. Then add the spices and simmer for 40 minutes. 4. Stir in the orange juice, stir, and strain the mixture. 5. Taste and add honey if you like a sweeter flavor.