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Sbiten

Name: Sbiten
Total time: 20 min
Yield: Serves 4
Cuisine: Russia
Ingredients: 800ml Water; 120g Honey; 1 Cinnamon Stick; 4 Cloves; 1 knob Ginger; 1 Bay Leaf; 3 Black Peppercorns; a few (optional) Mint Leaves

Drink

⏱ 20 min

👥 Serves 4

Difficulty ⭐

Sbiten is an old Russian hot drink of honey simmered with spices and herbs. It was sold at winter markets long before tea became popular.

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📖 The Story Behind This Drink

Sbiten appears in records from around the 11th century, making it one of Russia’s oldest drinks. Until tea spread in the 19th century, vendors carrying samovar-like urns sold it hot at winter markets and fairs. It’s been enjoying a revival as a traditional drink.

🌆 Where it’s enjoyed: In a snowy square during Maslenitsa, the festival seeing off winter, people warm their hands on cups of steaming sbiten and eat blini.

🥕 Ingredients (serves 4)

Water 800ml
Honey 120g
Cinnamon Stick 1
Cloves 4
Ginger 1 knob
Bay Leaf 1
Black Peppercorns 3
Mint Leaves a few (optional)

👩‍🍳 Instructions

Slice the ginger thinly, skin on.
Put the water, ginger, cinnamon, cloves, bay leaf, and peppercorns in a pot over medium heat. When it boils, simmer on low for 10 minutes.
Keeping the heat low, stir in the honey and warm 2–3 minutes without boiling.
Turn off the heat, add mint if using, and steep 5 minutes.
Strain into cups and drink hot.

💡 Tips for Success

Boiling honey drives off its aroma, so don’t let it boil once added.
Russians also make an adult version with red wine.
Make a big batch, refrigerate, and reheat as needed.

🍽 Goes Well With

Blini (Russian Crepes)

Syrniki (Cottage Cheese Pancakes)

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