Homemade Apricot Nectar

Try this amazing homemade apricot nectar.

Preparing the recipients

1. Before starting to prepare the nectar, make sure you have appropriate recipients which can be hermetically closed.
2. Use recipients with a wide mouth and a screw-on cap

Preparing the fruit

1. To obtain the best quality nectar, use ripe apricots, as they have the highest sugar content possible.
2. Try to find apricots of the best quality. The ones purchased at marketplaces from local producers are the best choice.
3. Wash apricots well in cold water; change the water 2-3 times.
4. If you are afraid of residues of pesticide in the skin of the fruit, you should peel the skin off.
5. Cut the apricots in half and remove the pits.
6. Puree the pitted apricots in a blender.
7. If you don’t have a blender, you may use a hand mixer as well.

Mixing apricots with other ingredients

1. At this point, you use your culinary artistry to make your nectar unique.
2. Here are a few ideas for what else to add: pineapple, peach or orange juice prepared in a blender, and several spices such as ginger.
3. Attention! You should experiment with your own combinations using only small amounts of ingredients to make sure the result will be according to your taste.
4. If you don’t want to use other flavors, simply add sugar syrup to the apricot puree until it reaches the desired sweetness.

Removing air

1. It is very important to remove air trapped in juices with pulp, as air will oxidize organic substances and the taste of the nectar will change.
2. Air removal can be obtained by heating up the nectar to 40-50°C and keeping it at this temperature for 20-30 minutes.
3. During this time, stir the fruit frequently with a wooden spoon.
4. Remove the foam that forms on the surface.

Canning and preserving the nectar

1. Pour the nectar into the prepared jars leaving a finger-wide gap under the lid.
2. Close the jars hermetically.
3. Sterilize the jars in the oven at 140-160°C for 30 minutes.
4. Another sterilization method: place the jars in a cauldron and fill the cauldron with water to cover the jars to 2/3 in height.
5. Before putting in the jars, place a kitchen towel onto the bottom of the cauldron, to cushion the jars, as they will slightly shake during the process.
6. Boil up the water 3 times.
7. Allow the jars to cool down in the oven or in the cauldron.
8. Verify the jars; the lids that popped up won’t keep over the winter, but the nectar may be consumed for another week if kept in the fridge.

Preservation for the winter

1. Label the jars, marking the content and the date of preparation.
2. Keep the jars in a cool and dark place.
3. You may drink the nectar mixed with mineral water, vanilla ice cream or any other way you like.
4. Apricot nectar is a delicacy you may enjoy both during the winter and during hot summer days to refresh and invigorate yourself.

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