Mors
A traditional and refreshing Russian berry drink, primarily made from cranberries, known for its vibrant color and tart-sweet flavor. This recipe focuses on preserving the natural goodness of the berries.
🧂 Ingredients
- 300 g Fresh or frozen cranberries(If using frozen, thaw them completely before starting.)
- 100 g Granulated sugar(Adjust to taste. You can use less if you prefer a tarter drink, or more for a sweeter one. Honey or other sweeteners can be substituted.)
- 2 L Water(Filtered water is recommended for the best flavor.)
👨🍳 Instructions
- 1
Prepare the cranberries: If using fresh cranberries, rinse them under cold water. Place the cranberries in a fine-mesh sieve or cheesecloth-lined colander over a bowl. Use a potato masher or the back of a spoon to gently crush the berries, releasing their juice. Continue pressing to extract as much juice as possible. Set the extracted juice aside in the refrigerator. This step should take about 10 minutes.
⏱️ 10 minutes - 2
Cook the cranberry pulp: Place the crushed cranberry pulp (what's left after squeezing out the juice) into a medium saucepan. Add 1.5 liters of the water. Bring the mixture to a gentle boil over medium-high heat, then reduce the heat to low and simmer for 10-15 minutes, stirring occasionally. The pulp should soften and release its color into the water. Avoid vigorous boiling which can diminish the flavor.
⏱️ 15 minutes - 3
Strain and sweeten: Carefully pour the hot liquid from the saucepan through a fine-mesh sieve into a clean bowl or pitcher. Discard the pulp. While the liquid is still warm, stir in the granulated sugar until it is completely dissolved. This step should take about 5 minutes.
⏱️ 5 minutes - 4
Combine and chill: Once the sugar has dissolved, add the reserved raw cranberry juice (from step 1) to the warm liquid. Stir well to combine. Add the remaining 0.5 liter of cold water to reach the desired consistency and flavor. Taste and adjust sweetness if necessary. Cover the pitcher and refrigerate for at least 2 hours, or until thoroughly chilled. Serve cold.
⏱️ 2 hours minimum chilling time
💡 Pro Tips
- ✓Adding the raw juice at the end helps preserve its vibrant color and a significant amount of Vitamin C, which can be degraded by prolonged heat.
- ✓For a less tart drink, you can increase the sugar slightly or add a squeeze of lemon juice.
- ✓Mors is best served well-chilled. It can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
✨ Twist Ideas
Inspiration for your own version of this recipe
- Use a mix of cranberries and lingonberries for a more complex tartness.
- Incorporate other berries like blackcurrants or raspberries along with cranberries.
- Add a cinnamon stick or a few star anise pods to the simmering pulp for a spiced version.