A refreshing mojito in a 3-liter jar for the winter
Gooseberry and mint compote, also known as mojito, is very easy to prepare for the winter. For a 3-liter jar, you'll need about a half-liter jar of gooseberries. The more you use, the more delicious it will be. This compote can be drunk on its own, but if you add a little rum and crushed ice, you get an almost real alcoholic cocktail "Mojito", incredibly popular, tasty and refreshing.
Preparation time is 30 minutes. Ingredients are based on one 3-liter jar.
Ingredients:
- gooseberries – 450 g;
- granulated sugar – 250 g;
- lemon – 2-3 slices;
- mint - several branches;
- filtered or spring water.
How to make gooseberry compote "Mojito"
Wash the three-liter jar thoroughly, rinse with boiling water, and boil the lid. Sterilize the jar over steam or dry it in the oven.
Next, pour granulated sugar into the jar. You can increase or decrease the amount of sugar to suit your taste. If the gooseberries are slightly underripe and tart, add 2-3 tablespoons more.
Wash the mint sprigs thoroughly and dry them with a paper towel. Choose the most aromatic variety, as this will determine the quality of the drink. There are over 40 types of mint, and almost all are very aromatic, most containing a lot of menthol. Place the dried mint sprigs in a jar.
Next, add 2-3 slices of lemon or lime. The original cocktail recipe calls for lime.
Sort the gooseberries, leaving the stems and tips intact. Wash the berries thoroughly, dry them, place them in a jar, and add boiling water (spring or filtered).
Cover the jar with something warm and let it sit for 15 minutes. Then put on a lid with drainage holes and drain the water into a saucepan.
Bring the drink to a boil over high heat, immediately pour it into the jar, and seal with a boiled lid. Turn the jar upside down and cover it again with warm water. Let it cool completely for 8-10 hours – this is the natural pasteurization process. During this time, the drink's bright green color will likely fade, but a hint of emerald green and, most importantly, the unique fresh flavor will remain.
Place the jar in a cool, dark place. Store at a temperature between 4 and 18 degrees Celsius.
