Krupnik

Krupnik (or Krupnikas) is a luscious sweet liqueur made from honey, alcohol and spices. It’s traditional to Christmas Eve and is popular in Poland, Belarus and Lithuania, and now Melbourne.

Krupnik can be served hot or cold, and the spice mix is very much up to you so it’s quite loosey-goosey and fun to make. All you need is some honey, some vodka, and a good rummage through your spice drawer. It’s tasty right after you make it, and glorious if you give it time. It would make a phenomenal Christmas gift as you could make it, bottle it, and be confident your gift-ee would enjoy it whether they poured it right into a glass or aged it for a decade. Mine just took out a gold medal at the Eltham wine show (!), so I’m confident it will go together well for you!

• Vodka – around 750ml (not your best vodka)
• Spices and citrus of your choice. For one litre of liqueur, take about two tablespoons total of spices. I used cinnamon, vanilla, pepper, allspice, nutmeg, anise and cloves along with the zest of one lemon. It’s all up to you though – you could use a handful of chai spice, or just a touch of lemon and call it a day.
• Half a cup to one cup of honey (to your taste) – buy something good, and local, and try to match your spices to the flavour of your honey. Orange blossom is a great choice, but have fun!

In a small pot, bring the spices to a simmer with enough water to cover them – say half a cup. Let them simmer for five minutes, then let the pot cool and strain this liquid into a one litre jar or bottle. Add 250ml of a light honey, and fill to the top with vodka. You could use brandy, grappa, anything you like as long as the flavour married with your spices and your honey. Are you seeing a theme here… honey flavoured happiness, any way you like it.

Serve it, drink it, or give it away with love, and have a very merry Christmas.

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