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Poland

I have 2 sourced drinks connected to Poland. The label on each card says how: where it began, what the country is known for, what people drink there, or where the origin is disputed.

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Poland on the world map. Boundaries are generalized Natural Earth data.

Drinks of Poland

Signature drinks and regional ones, with the evidence behind each. A drink marked non-alcoholic has no alcohol in the traditional serve.

  • Illustration of Szarlotka (Zubrowka and Apple Juice): pale cloudy golden-yellow, still, no bubbles and no foam, in a tall straight-sided highball glass.

    Szarlotka (Zubrowka and Apple Juice)

    PopularSignature drink

    A two-ingredient long drink of bison grass vodka lengthened with cloudy apple juice over ice. The name is the Polish word for apple pie. A variant with a little lemon juice is known as the Tatanka.

    Difford's Guide lists the lemon-juice version as the Tatanka, which it says takes its name from the 1990 film Dances with Wolves, and a reader comment there describes szarlotka (apple pie) as the plain bison grass vodka and apple juice original. The producer's own recipe for the plain version is called Apple Zu. No source fetched gives a date for szarlotka itself, so its age is popularly told rather than documented.

    Made with: Zubrowka bison grass vodka, cloudy apple juice, optional lemon juice.

    Confidence: mediumEvidence: diffordsguide.com (opens in a new tab), zubrowka.com (opens in a new tab)

  • Illustration of Warm Krupnik: clear amber to golden brown honey spirit with faint steam, in a small glass holding a few ounces.

    Warm Krupnik

    Poland, shared with Lithuania and Belarus

    PopularRegional drink

    A honey and spice vodka drink, classed in Poland among the nalewki (infused spirits). It is taken hot, at room temperature or chilled, and one published recipe heats it gently and puts a small knob of butter in each glass.

    Sources place its origin in the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth, with a 16th century monastic origin repeated by Difford's Guide. Great British Chefs ties the recipe to the Lithuanian krupnikas of the 17th century. The 'Polish' label is shared with Lithuania and Belarus, so association is popular rather than origin.

    Made with: vodka or grain spirit, honey, water, spices such as cinnamon, vanilla, nutmeg, allspice and orange peel, optional knob of butter when served hot.

    Confidence: lowEvidence: en.wikipedia.org (opens in a new tab), diffordsguide.com (opens in a new tab), greatbritishchefs.com (opens in a new tab)

Map data: Natural Earth, public domain.