The varenukha is an authentic Ukrainian hot beverage, which is made of vodka or liquor with dried fruits, raisins, etc., honey, cinnamon or spicy roots. It is peculiarly cooked – mixed ingredients are placed in clay pot topped with dough or with a lid on, and then put into heated oven (from 5 hrs to 24 hrs). It is an easy-to-cook beverage however lots of time is required. Therefore if you want to surprise your guests, it’s better to take care of it beforehand.
Ingredients
Dried pears 100 g
Dried apples 100 g
Dried cherries 100 g
Prunes 60 g
Honey 600 g
Vodka 2.5 l
Ground cinnamon 0.5 tsp
Cloves 0.5 tsp
Allspice 0.5 tsp
Bay leaf 3 pieces
Fresh ginger 0.5 pieces
Flour 200 g
Vegetable oil 1 tsp
Stages of cooking
1
Properly rinse all the fruits. Put them into big nonmetal bowl, cover with water and let them rest for 5-6 hrs.
2
Combine the flour with a little of water and vegetable oil; make a stiff dough – its consistence should bear resemblance to plasticine.
3
Pour the vodka with soaked dried fruits into the enamel or ceramic casserole; add the honey, ginger, spices and bay leaf.
4
Heat oven to 90-100C. Put the lid on the casserole and seal its edges with prepared dough. Put a weight on it and set in oven for 10-12 hrs.
5
After being cooked for 12 hrs, the varenukha should be drained and served. It can be poured either hot or cold. Also, the varenukha can be bottled and stored in the dark cool place.
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