This confectionary concoction has rightfully earned a day of celebration. And, today, National Fruit Cocktail Day, may be a way to improve the calorie count.
Fruit cocktail is a blend of different fruits served in fruit juice or light syrup. While it’s commonly sold in cans and convenient single-serve cups, it can also be made fresh using berries and other seasonal fruits. From school cafeterias to buffet tables, fruit cocktail has long been enjoyed as a simple and healthy fruit option.
Despite the name, fruit cocktail contains no alcohol. In this case, the word “cocktail” simply refers to a mixture, whether of foods or beverages. In fact, one definition of a cocktail is “an appetizer made by combining pieces of food, such as fruit or seafood.”
In the United States, the USDA also regulates canned fruit cocktail, requiring it to contain specific proportions of pears, grapes, cherries, peaches, and pineapple.
The phrase “fruit cocktail” may bring back childhood memories of discovering a sweet treat tucked inside your lunchbox, but this colorful spring and summer favorite has evolved far beyond a simple nostalgic snack.
Here’s how you can celebrate today (National Fruit Cocktail Day), the remainder of spring, and all summer long:
Sure you can serve some pre-made fruit cocktail from a can — that’s been sitting on a shelf for who knows how long — with your meals or as a snack to celebrate. But, it is so much better to make your own!
There’s nothing wrong with picking up a variety of your favorite fruits (the non-USDA regulated kind), cutting them into bite-sized pieces and mixing them together so their natural juices meld allowing it flavors to meld. Perhaps you can add a dressing of your choice to create something new. You never know — your homemade creation could become the next fruit cocktail favorite.
A word of caution: You can feel pretty good about enjoying a serving — or even a few servings — of fruit cocktail. Even canned varieties can provide a healthy dose of vitamin C and may contain more of this immune-supporting antioxidant than some fresh fruits. However, it’s important to pay attention to the label, as fruit cocktail packed in heavy syrup can quickly add excess sugar and calories to an otherwise healthy snack.
Rule of thumb: Make this American pastime yourself, from scratch!