BHA & BHT Free Hot Apple-Pear Compote Drink
Warm, fragrant, and deeply comforting, this simmered fruit drink is the kind of thing you want wrapped around your hands on a cold afternoon. Fresh apples and ripe pears are cooked down with Ceylon cinnamon, ginger, and a touch of maple syrup, then strained into a smooth, velvety liquid that drinks like a hug. A splash of apple cider vinegar at the end adds just enough brightness to keep it from feeling heavy or overly sweet. For anyone avoiding synthetic preservatives like BHA and BHT, packaged cider and flavored drinks can be a minefield — those additives show up in everything from bottled juices to flavored syrups. This recipe sidesteps all of that by starting entirely from whole fruit and pantry staples with no processed shortcuts in sight. Every single ingredient here is clean and straightforward, so you know exactly what's going into your mug. The optional sprig of fresh thyme is a small touch that adds a subtle herbal note without overpowering the fruit, and it's easy to leave out if you prefer something more classic. This is the kind of drink that feels special enough for guests but simple enough to make on a quiet weeknight just for yourself.
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Learn more →Ingredients
2 servings
- 2 medium apples (such as fuji or honeycrisp), peeled, cored, and roughly chopped
- 2 medium ripe pears (such as bartlett or bosc), peeled, cored, and roughly chopped
- 2 cups water
- 1 tbsp pure maple syrup
- ¼ tsp ground ceylon cinnamon
- ⅛ tsp ground ginger
- 1 pinch fine sea salt
- 1 tsp apple cider vinegar
- 1 sprig fresh thyme (optional)
Instructions
- 1
Combine the chopped apples, chopped pears, water, maple syrup, Ceylon cinnamon, ground ginger, and sea salt in a medium saucepan. Add the thyme sprig, if using. Bring to a boil over medium-high heat, then reduce the heat to medium-low.
- 2
Simmer uncovered, stirring occasionally, until the fruit is completely soft and beginning to fall apart, about 15–18 minutes.
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