Recipe Catalog

The recipe is taken from the collection of recipes by Nastya Ozerova.

The recipe is taken from the book "Smolensk cooking.

The great-grandfather of the samovar was the sbitennik - a vessel for preparing a traditional hot drink, sbiten from honey and medicinal herbs. But even when the samovar became the center of the Russian tea universe, sbiten was also brewed and sold (more often at winter fairs and folk festivals, it warmed better than tea).

Apple sbiten with black currant is a fragrant hot drink rooted in ancient Russian traditions of warming infusions. Its deep fruity flavor, complemented by spicy ginger, cloves, and cinnamon, envelops you in coziness and warmth. Black currant adds a slight tartness while mint brings fresh notes. Honey softens the rich flavors, creating a balance between sweetness and spices. This sbiten not only warms in cold weather but also boosts immunity thanks to its natural ingredients. It can be served as a cozy evening drink or as part of traditional Russian feasts. The deep, rich, and slightly tart taste of this sbiten is a true delight for lovers of hot fruit infusions.

Sbitten from Suzdal is an ancient Russian drink known since the 13th century. In the past, it was used as a warming and healing elixir served in inns and at fairs. This non-alcoholic version preserves traditions by combining honey sweetness with rich spicy notes of cinnamon, clove, cardamom, and ginger. Bay leaf adds a slight bitterness to it. The thick aroma envelops with warmth, while the balance between sweetness and spicy sharpness makes it perfect for cold evenings. Sbitten is served hot in cups, enjoying its warming effect. It is not only pleasant to taste but also beneficial – it strengthens immunity, helps with colds, and brings coziness in every sip.

Sbiten with cloves is a fragrant, warming drink rooted in Russian history. In ancient times, it was prepared at fairs and taverns, offering passersby a refreshing sip of warming infusion. Its rich flavor is created by the combination of spicy notes of cloves, cinnamon, and bay leaves enriched with the sweetness of honey. The light citrus freshness of lemon zest and the spiciness of ginger and black pepper make sbiten particularly vibrant. This drink helps to warm up in cold weather, strengthen health, and enjoy an atmosphere of coziness. It can be consumed as a standalone warming infusion or served with pies and cookies to complement the taste of Russian treats. Sbiten not only quenches thirst but also restores a sense of warmth and emotional comfort.

Fragrant sbiten is an ancient Russian drink that warms and fills with the aromas of spices. Its history goes back to ancient times when it served not only to quench thirst but also to strengthen health. Honey, cinnamon, star anise, cardamom, and cloves create a rich, sweet-spicy taste complemented by the freshness of ginger and the delicacy of green tea. The drink has a warming effect, making it perfect for cold weather. It was consumed at fairs, in taverns, and even used for medicinal purposes. Sbiten can be served as a standalone drink or alongside traditional Russian treats like bagels and gingerbread. It brings coziness and warmth while awakening memories of old Russian traditions and home comfort.

Ginger sbiten is an ancient Russian drink that warms the soul and body. Its roots go back to the era of Ancient Rus when sbiten was prepared at fairs and inns, offering warmth and vigor to travelers. The spicy aroma of ginger, cardamom, and cinnamon intertwines with the soft sweetness of honey, creating a harmonious taste with a slight spiciness. The drink has a warming effect, strengthens immunity, and helps with colds. It is traditionally served hot, especially in winter's chill, complementing cozy evenings with home warmth. Ginger sbiten is not just a drink but part of cultural heritage.

Sbiten with herbs is an ancient Slavic drink that warms the soul and body. Its history goes back centuries when it served not only as a thirst quencher but also as a medicinal elixir. The combination of fragrant orange zest, spicy cinnamon, and honey gives sbiten a soft sweetness with citrus and spicy notes, while healing herbs like St. John's wort, mint, and thyme fill it with a delicate, relaxing aroma. The drink is traditionally served warm and is perfect for cold evenings, helping to warm up and feel cozy. Sbiten is also used to boost immunity and improve well-being, and its rich flavor makes it a great alternative to regular tea or coffee.

Sbiten is an ancient Russian drink that warms the soul and body. This version with mint, St. John's wort, and black pepper has a unique aroma and rich flavor, combining the sweetness of honey with the spicy bitterness of spices. Honey and sugar create a delicate base, while mint and St. John's wort add freshness and a slight bitterness. Black pepper and cloves bring spiciness, while cinnamon adds softness. Historically, sbiten was used as a medicinal drink to help with colds and fatigue. It is enjoyed hot, savoring its rich taste and calming effect. This drink is perfect for winter evenings and cozy gatherings, filling the atmosphere with warmth and traditions.

Sea buckthorn sbiten is a fragrant warming drink with deep roots in Russian cuisine. Traditionally made with honey and spices, it was used to boost health and fight colds. This version adds sea buckthorn for a gentle tartness and vitamins. The rich flavor of sbiten unfolds through the combination of honey sweetness, spicy warmth of ginger, cinnamon, and cloves, while orange adds citrus freshness. The drink is perfect for cold evenings, providing comfort and warmth. It can be enjoyed hot for a rich taste or slightly chilled as a refreshing vitamin elixir.

Sbiten from Alexander Perunov, head bartender of the Sixty Four restaurant, which equally includes honey, meadow herbs, applesauce, ginger juice and vodka. It is unlikely that the bartender's mother bothered with the development of ingredients for a homemade drink, but in this unconventional sbiten they managed to capture the main thing that is characteristic of sbitens in general - that intoxicating smell, as if in the entryway of a village house they were raking grass that had lain in the sun with a rake. And another important quality of this drink - it gives a crazy charge of thermal energy.

Sea buckthorn sbiten is an ancient Russian drink that warms the soul and body. Its history dates back to times when tea was not yet popular, and people prepared fragrant honey broths with spices. Sea buckthorn, rich in vitamins and antioxidants, gives sbiten a tart, slightly sour taste that harmonizes with the sweetness of honey and the rich aroma of spices. The drink not only quenches thirst but also helps strengthen immunity, making it indispensable in cold weather. Sbiten is best served hot or warm, enjoying its thick, rich flavor and spicy fragrance. It is perfect for cozy winter evenings when you want to wrap yourself in a warm blanket and savor the moment.

Russian traditions of celebrating Christmas, like European ones, are inextricably linked with festivities and fairs. But there is a fundamental difference: Russian winter is not like European winter, it required warmer clothes and hotter drinks. So strong men with jugs, wrapped in warm shawls and wadded blankets, walked around the markets , booths and other places of street entertainment, selling the main Russian hot drink of that time - sbiten. It warmed no worse than European mulled wine, although it was not always alcoholic. In fact, sbiten is just heated liquid honey with the addition of various spices: cinnamon, cloves, ginger, pepper, cardamom - bright, dense, with viscous spicy notes and the aroma of herbs.