Blackcurrant Morse (Fruit Drink)

Cooking method

1. Step 1:

   

   Get the ingredients ready. You can use fresh or frozen currants. If yours are frozen, like mine, take them out ahead of time so the berries soften a little; you don't have to thaw them completely. Use only good-quality water for the morse, bottled or filtered — its taste affects the drink. Adjust the sugar to taste.

2. Step 2:

   

   Rinse the berries under running water. If your currants are frozen and were washed before freezing, skip this step. Drain the rinsed berries in a sieve or colander.

3. Step 3:

   

   Tip the prepared berries into the pot you'll cook the morse in. Add the sugar.

4. Step 4:

   

   Using a potato masher or whatever's handy, crush the berries. You don't have to purée them — just crush them slightly so they release their juice.

5. Step 5:

   

   Pour boiling water over the currants. (I set the water to boil in a kettle while I crushed the berries.) Stir.

6. Step 6:

   

   Set the pot over the heat and bring it just to a boil — but don't actually let it boil! As soon as the first bubbles appear, turn off the heat. This keeps the most goodness in the finished drink.

7. Step 7:

   

   Now strain the morse through a sieve. Don't throw out the leftover pulp — you can make another batch of morse with it, just using less water.

8. Step 8:

   

   You can drink morse hot or cold. We prefer it chilled; hot is good when you have a cold. Enjoy!