Let’s Make Cherry Compote with Brandy!

Summer has finally arrived in Dairyland, which means the peak of produce season isn’t far behind. There will come a day very soon when you find yourself with a bumper crop of fruit from the store, farmer’s market, or your own garden, and that’s when it’s time to make compote. With brandy!

Yes, we’re headed back to the Drink Wisconsinbly Test Kitchen to cook with fine dining’s no-so-secret ingredient. So roll up your sleeves, put on your apron and wash your hands.

If you aren’t aware, “compote” is just a fancy name for fruit sauce. It’s made by stewing fruit using liquid and a sweetener. A great thing about about it is it allows for uninhibited experimentation with your fruits. Most any of your seasonal favorites will work. Peaches, nectarines, plums, blueberries, blackberries, strawberries, raspberries. You can make it with one or combine them depending on your personal taste and what is within arm’s reach in the kitchen.

The best part is that it’s easy. You can be completely incompetent in the kitchen and still make a five-star compote.

That said, experimenting in the kitchen takes confidence. And there’s no better way to give yours a boost than by making an Old Fashioned. The brandy is already out, so why not? You know the drill. Muddle, pour, garnish, sip.

Okay, let’s get cooking. Today we’re making a Brandy Cherry Compote. Here’s how you do it:

First, grab a heavy saucepan. Then, you’re going to add all the ingredients to it at once. Don’t worry, the list is really short:

• 4 1/2 cups pitted cherries
• 1/2 cup sugar
• 1 cup Drink Wisconsinbly Brandy

Now, light the burner and bring the mixture to a boil. Then, reduce to medium-low and let it simmer until the cherries soften and start releasing juice. It should take around 10 minutes.

Which is more than enough time to make another Brandy Old Fashioned if you’re feelin’ it.

Time’s up. So now you’re going to transfer the cherries to a bowl using a slotted spoon. Leave the liquid in the pan and let it simmer for another 15 to 20 minutes.

You could make another Brandy Old Fashioned, but probably you don’t need it at this point. After all, you’ve got stuff on the stove and need to stay sharp. Plus, you also want to be awake to eat.

Keep an eye on your mixture. Once the liquid has cooked down and is thick enough to cover the back of a spoon, it’s ready. Pour it over the cherries reserved in the bowl, and it’s good to go. You’re going to want to serve it warm, so have your dessert ready.

This Brandy Cherry Compote goes nicely with things such as ice cream, cheesecake, or pound cake. There are many other ways to make compote and enhance favorites like pancakes, yogurt, oatmeal, or anything that would benefit from a hit of sweet fruit sauce. There are also ways to make it without brandy if you choose, but we prefer not to talk about crazy ideas like that around here.

Good luck, kitchen adventurers. Bon appétit and/or cheers.