Izvar-Russian Dried Fruit Drink With Madera Wine.

• 1 cup dried prunes pitted
• 1 cup dried apricots
• 2 cups apple slices dried or fresh
• 1 cup dried cherries (pitted)
• 11/2 cups dried pears
• 1 cup fragrant honey
• 2 Cinnamon sticks
• 4 Whole cloves
• 1 Star Anise
• 2 qt Apple Cider
• Juice & peel of 1 lemon (more if needed)
• 2 cups Madera wine

1. Combine the fruit in a large pot and fill with all of the cider and Madera (dried fruits absorb a lot of liquid). Add the cloves, cinnamon, Star Anise& lemon peel.
2. Simmer until the larger pieces are cooked but not falling apart. Strain only the liquid into another pot, discard the spices, and cook until reduced by 1/3rd. Mix-in honey, lemon juice, and then add back the fruits (optional).
3. Taste, and add more lemon juice if needed. It should not be too sweet; it's tastier when the fruit taste dominates. Serve warm in cold weather or icy-cold when it's hot. This drink looks beautiful in crystal or clear glass mugs.
4. You can top each mug with sparkling water or wine. If desired, use a different variety of fruits and spices. Keep in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks.

apricots, apple slices dried, cherries, honey, cinnamon sticks, cloves, anise, apple cider, madera wine

Taken from food52.com/recipes/12180-izvar-russian-dried-fruit-drink-with-madera-wine (may not work)