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    Rumtopf: Rum Preserved Fruit

    Published: Aug 15, 2021 Β· Modified: Aug 16, 2024 by Audrey Β· This post may contain affiliate links.

    Jump to Recipe Print Recipe
    Rumtopf, German for Rum Pot, is a delicious way to preserve spring, summer and fall fruits to enjoy in winter. Homemade liqueur and rum soaked fruit in one. 

    Are you looking for an easy way to preserve fresh in season fruit to enjoy later in the year? Rumtopf gives you two delicious treats in one: a fruity rum cordial and delicious spiked fruit.

    top down view of rum covered fruit in a jar and a glass

    Rumtopf means Rum Pot in German. In Danish it is called Rumkrukke.

    It is a way to preserve fruit when it is ripe to enjoy in the winter time. Quite simply it is fruit and sugar soaked in rum for months. Then in the winter you can enjoy both the liqueur and the fruit.

    And the best part is you keep adding fruit (and sugar and rum) as it comes into season.

    What type of fruit should be used for Rumtopf?

    Use whatever fruit you have and like. For example:

    • start with strawberries in spring
    • add cherries, apricots and peaches in summer
    • then apples, grapes and pears in autumn

    Dried fruit, spices (like cinnamon, cloves and anise), and canned pineapple can also be used.

    Use your favorite fruits EXCEPT:

    • melon is too watery
    • citrus will turn it sour and bitter
    • bananas are too mushy
    • blueberries and blackberries may turn everything too purple

    Why aren't there any amounts in the recipe?

    Because you need to do a little math.

    Remove any pits, seeds, stems and thicker peels for fruits like apples, peaches, etc.

    Then weigh it and add half of the weight in sugar. One pound of fruit gets half pound of sugar.

    Yes you can measure it in a measuring cup and it should be close enough. I always weigh mine.

    Then cover it with rum. No need to measure the rum, just keep pouring until the fruit is at least Β½ inch below the surface of the rum after you push it down.

    Theoretically you could add equal amounts of each fruit to make it balanced and pretty, but I don't have the time or memory to track how much I add. You do you.

    Safety Precautions for Rumtopf

    Start with everything nice and clean to minimize the bacteria from the start. Scrub the fruit, make sure your container is sterilized, etc.

    The rum alone will kill the bacteria as long as the fruit is all the way submerged. The fruit will likely rise to the top initially. I put a piece of plastic wrap and weighed it down with a salad plate to prevent the fruit being exposed to air.

    collage of rumtopf covered with a salad plate

    Check every week or so to make sure the fruit is still under the rum and no mold has formed.

    After months, the fruit will all have pretty much the same dark purple color. And the rum is sweet and fruity.

    How to serve Rumtopf

    I will not judge if you sample it straight out of the crock.

    The liquid can be sipped like a cordial or added to hot or cold beverages such as sparkling wine or seltzer, egg nog, hot tea or coffee.

    Put the fruit on ice cream, cake, pancakes or waffles, etc.

    Other Rum Recipes from #OurFamilyTable

    Here are even more Rum-tastic ways to enjoy rum from breakfast to dessert:

    Rum-tastic Recipes

    • Bananas Foster Pancakes from The Spiffy Cookie
    • Jungle Bird from Palatable Pastime
    • Mojitos from Hezzi-D's Books and Cooks
    • Peachy Colada from A Kitchen Hoor's Adventures
    • Rum Raisin Bread from Karen's Kitchen Stories
    • Rumtopf from That Recipe
    • Strawberry Daiquiri from Art of Natural Living


    We share Recipes From Our Dinner Table! Join our group and share your recipes, too! While you're at it, join our Pinterest board, too!

    top down view of rum covered fruit in a jar and a glass

    Recipe

    Print Recipe Pin Recipe

    Ingredients
     

    • fruit (ripe, firm and unblemished)
    • granulated sugar (no substitutes, must be sugar for the preservation process)
    • dark rum (minimum 80 proof, good quality)

    Instructions
     

    • When in season, clean fruit. Remove stems, leaves, pits and tough skins from such fruits as apples, peaches and plums. Weigh fruit.
    • In a bowl, combine fruit and half it's weight in sugar. For every pound of fruit add half a pound of sugar. Let sit approximately 8-12 hours until syrup forms.
    • Add fruit and juices to a large crock (or glass or plastic container). Cover with rum so there is at least Β½ inch of rum over the top of the fruit.
    • Add additional fruit as it comes into season, ending with apples and pears in the late fall.
    • Let sit for another month before serving or giving as gifts.

    More Homemade Cordial Recipes

    Cherry Liqueur (Cherry Brandy)
    glasses of apricot liqueur and apricots
    Apricot Liqueur
    Homemade Kahlua

    Until next time, happy eating (and drinking)!
    ~Audrey

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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Echo

      December 08, 2014 at 1:42 pm

      Oh my! This sounds so decadent and wonderfully delicious for the holiday season! I may have to make some next summer, so I have it to enjoy!

      Reply
    2. Nancy

      December 08, 2014 at 1:47 pm

      This looks like something i would like to make on a day in with the hubby, top a great cake with it and enjoy!

      Reply
    3. Jamie

      December 08, 2014 at 2:59 pm

      Wow, those berries made me drool!! ha/ha Looks so yummy!! Pinning the recipe to try!

      Reply
    4. Joanne T Ferguson

      December 09, 2014 at 12:27 am

      G'day Always enjoy learning something new through you!
      Cheers! Joanne
      #ibabloggers

      Reply
    5. Teresa (embracing the spectrum)

      December 09, 2014 at 8:59 pm

      Did somebody say rum?? πŸ™‚

      Reply
    6. kc

      December 10, 2014 at 12:58 pm

      I haven't tasted something like this.

      Reply
    7. Jenna

      December 11, 2014 at 2:07 pm

      Yum, dessert and an after dinner drink all in one!

      Reply
    8. Hope @ Nanny Shecando

      December 12, 2014 at 6:13 pm

      Did you say rum? I'm all in!

      Reply
    9. Joanne T Ferguson

      December 12, 2014 at 11:19 pm

      G'day Thx for stopping by and sharing this at our #SayGdayParty Pinned
      Please make sure to return if you haven't already say G'day to the hosts and someone at the party! Cheers!
      Joanne @ What's On The List
      #ibabloggers

      Reply
    10. Jen @ The Evolution of Mom

      December 13, 2014 at 5:42 pm

      This sounds wonderful! We are making homemade hard cider this year and I canned a ton of stuff from the garden. I'm adding this to my list for the upcoming year. I love these kinds of projects! We're so glad you stopped by our Momma Told Me Link Party! Please come back and share more!

      Reply
    11. Sharon@Blue Willow House

      December 14, 2014 at 10:01 am

      Rumtopf sounds like a perfect holiday treat. Thanks for sharing at The Southern Special.

      Reply
    12. KC the Kitchen Chopper

      December 15, 2014 at 8:52 am

      This recipe is perfect for the holidays. Thanks for sharing at The Weekend Social. Hope to see you again Thursday 9:00 PM EST. http://www.theKitchenChopper.com

      Reply
    13. Amy@HomeRemedies

      December 15, 2014 at 8:24 pm

      What a great holiday gift! This sounds wonderful! Thanks so much for sharing at Talented Tuesdays!

      Reply
    14. Mums Take Five

      December 17, 2014 at 4:30 am

      oh my Audrey!! do you want my postal address ? So good ... i would love this .. love xx

      Reply

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