Wash the apple, cut it into quarters, and remove the seed pod. Peel each quarter and slice it. Wash the ginger and slice it.

Place the apple and ginger in a pot. Add cinnamon, ginger, pepper, and cloves (adjust the amount of spices to your preference, but there shouldn't be too much, so the compote isn't too intense – only a pinch of each spice is suggested).

Pour water (adjust the amount of water to your preference, but it should be no less than a 3:1 ratio - water to other ingredients) – about 500-700 ml is suggested. Cook on low heat until the apples are soft, about 10-15 minutes. Towards the end, add the juice squeezed from the lemon and optionally the sweetener. Stir and cook for a moment longer.

Pour the ready compote into a convenient container. Drink warm or cold.