Zbiten (Belarusian Hot Honey and Spice Drink)
Local name: Збіцень
In short: A warming Belarusian drink of cinnamon, cloves, ginger and peppercorns steeped in water, sweetened with honey and brightened with cranberry juice. It takes about 35 min in total and makes 4 servings.
- Prep
- 5 min
- Cook
- 30 min
- Total
- 35 min
- Servings
- 4
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Calories
- 105 kcal
Zbiten is an old hot drink of Belarus and its neighbors: honey and spices sipped from mugs on freezing days. The sweetness of the honey is balanced by cinnamon, cloves, ginger and a little black pepper, so it soothes more than it sugars. Cranberry juice adds a tart note, which suits the Belarusian love of cranberries. Serve it hot in small mugs, with a slice of rye bread or a plain biscuit on the side.
Instructions
- Put the water, cinnamon, cloves, ginger, peppercorns and lemon peel in a saucepan and bring to a boil. Lower the heat and simmer, covered, for 10 minutes.
- Take the pan off the heat and let the spices infuse for 10 minutes, then strain the liquid into a clean pan.
- Add the cranberry juice and warm the drink to just below a simmer, about 80°C (175°F).
- Remove the pan from the heat, wait a minute, then stir in the honey and lemon juice until dissolved. Taste and add more honey if you like.
- Ladle into heatproof mugs and serve hot.
Tips
- Honey loses its aroma in boiling liquid, so stir it in off the heat.
- Adults sometimes add a small shot of vodka to each mug for a quick krambambulya-style drink. Leave it out for children.
Questions and answers
Is zbiten the same as mulled wine?
No. It has no wine and gets its body from honey, so the flavor is closer to a spiced tea than a wine punch.
Can I make zbiten ahead of time?
Strain the spice infusion up to 3 days ahead and refrigerate it. Reheat gently and add the honey just before serving.
Can I use sugar instead of honey?
Yes. Use the same weight of brown sugar and dissolve it in the hot liquid. The flavor will be less floral.
How long does it take to make Zbiten (Belarusian Hot Honey and Spice Drink)?
About 35 min in total: 5 min of preparation and 30 min of cooking.
How many calories are in Zbiten (Belarusian Hot Honey and Spice Drink)?
About 105 kcal per serving, with 0 g of protein, 28 g of carbohydrates and 0 g of fat. These values are estimates.
Nutrition per serving
| Calories | 105 kcal |
|---|---|
| Protein | 0 g |
| Carbohydrates | 28 g |
| Fat | 0 g |
| Fiber | 0 g |
| Sugar | 27 g |
| Sodium | 5 mg |
Estimated values, calculated from the ingredients.
