Citric Acid Free Spiced Mulled Cherries
Warm, jewel-toned, and deeply aromatic, this spiced cherry compote is the kind of thing that makes your whole kitchen smell like a cozy winter market. Sweet cherries simmer low and slow in pomegranate juice with Ceylon cinnamon, fresh ginger, and a whisper of turmeric until the liquid reduces into a glossy, spoonable sauce that clings to everything it touches. A strip of orange zest and a small splash of apple cider vinegar round out the flavor without leaning on any citric acid additives — the kind that sneak into jarred fruit products and store-bought preserves and can catch sensitive folks completely off guard. Ceylon cinnamon is a deliberate choice here too, since it's milder and less harsh than the cassia variety, making the whole blend feel balanced rather than sharp. The result is a compote that works beautifully spooned over yogurt, stirred into oatmeal, or served alongside roasted meats. It thickens naturally as it cools, so you get a lush, jammy texture with zero fillers or stabilizers. Make a jar on the weekend and you'll find yourself reaching for it all week long.
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Learn more →Ingredients
4 servings
- 1 lb frozen or fresh sweet cherries, pitted
- 1 cup pomegranate juice
- 2 tbsp honey
- 1 ceylon cinnamon stick
- 1 tsp fresh ginger, finely grated
- ¼ tsp ground turmeric
- 2 tsp apple cider vinegar
- 1 strip orange zest (about 3 inches), pith removed
- 1 pinch salt
Instructions
- 1
Combine the pomegranate juice, honey, Ceylon cinnamon stick, grated ginger, turmeric, apple cider vinegar, orange zest strip, and salt in a medium saucepan over medium heat, stirring until the honey dissolves, about 1 minute.
- 2
Add the cherries and bring the mixture to a gentle boil, then reduce the heat to medium-low and simmer, stirring occasionally, until the cherries are tender and the liquid has reduced by about half and coats the back of a spoon, 15 to 18 minutes.
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