Make Sbiten

During the winter months, everybody craves a delicious hot beverage such as hot chocolate, tea, and cider. But what if you want to try something different? In Russia, Sbiten (Russian, сбитень) is a traditional honey-based beverage consumed during the long winter months. This comforting drink is actually very simple to prepare and tastes a lot like fruity tea.

Ingredients

Makes 10 servings

• 1/2 cup of pure honey
• 1 tsp of cloves
• 1/4 teaspoon cinnamon
• 1 tsp ginger
• 16 ounces (1 lb) blackberry jam
• 10 1/4 cups water (or wine)
• 1/4 tsp nutmeg
• 1 mint leaf (optional)

For alternate recipe 1:
Makes 750 ml, or 1 wine bottle's worth

• 3-1/3 cups water
• 2 cups honey
• 3 cinnamon sticks
• 1 tablespoon whole cloves
• 2 dried red chile peppers, optional
• 2 tablespoons apricot or raspberry jam

For alternate recipe 2:

• 3 L water
• 250 g honey
• 350 g molasses
• 5 g mix of spices - cinnamon, malt, cloves, mint

Steps

1. Bring 10 1/4 cups of water to a boil.
2. Add the ginger, nutmeg, cloves, cinnamon, honey and homemade blackberry jam and stir gently.
3. Turn the heat down to about medium-low and bring it to a simmer. Stir the mixture for 6 minutes then take the pot off the stove.
4. Let cool for 2 minutes. Afterward, ladle the hot beverage into 10 mugs.
5. Garnish with a homemade mint leaf candy and enjoy!

Alternate Recipe 1

1. Combine all ingredients in a medium saucepan.
2. Bring to a boil over medium heat. Whisk occasionally. Mixture will be slightly foamy.
3. Serve in small glasses with a cinnamon stick for garnish.

Alternate Recipe 2

1. Bring the water to a boil in a pot.
2. Melt honey into the water.
3. Add all other ingredients.
4. Simmer for half an hour.
5. Serve.

Video

Template:Video:Make Sbiten

Tips

• You can make an alcoholic version by substituting a hearty red wine (like Cabernet Sauvignon) for water.
• This is best served hot, but the drink can be refrigerated and served cold in the summer, or reheated for serving later.

Things You'll Need

• Large pot
• Mixing spoon

Related Articles

• Make Mead
• Make Mulled Wine
• Make Mulled Beer
• Liquify Honey

See also

• Make a Honey and Banana Smoothie
• Buy Milk
• Quench Thirst Fast
• Make Chicha Morada
• Make Noni Juice
• Open a Bottle Without a Bottle Opener
• Make Mint Tea
• Make a Watermelon Keg
• Chill a Drink Quickly
• Drink Enough Water

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What links here

• Make Warm Drinks for the Holidays