Mozyr-style sbiten
Description
Spices and ginger can be bought at any store, while bay leaves and honey are usually available in every household. Sbiten is a great alternative to tea or coffee. It energizes, invigorates, and warms you up. Be sure to try this drink—you can even create your own preferred blend. To prepare sbiten, follow these steps: 1. Heat water and dissolve honey in it. 2. Once dissolved, bring to a boil and simmer over low heat for 15–20 minutes. 3. Then add spices to the pot—bay leaf, cardamom, cinnamon, grated ginger, and cloves. 4. Boil for 5 minutes, let it steep briefly, and cool to a warm temperature. Always strain before drinking. Sbiten can be enjoyed either hot or cold. However, remember that it is primarily a warming beverage. Despite numerous variations of the sbiten recipe, honey remains its constant ingredient. It is the honey that gives this drink its warming and tonic properties, providing strength and energy especially needed during winter. The drink is now ready to serve.