Krupnik

Krupnik redirects here. For other uses, see Krupnik (disambiguation). Krupnik is a traditional sweet vodka, similar to a liqueur, based on grain spirit and honey, popular in Poland and Lithuania. It consists of 40%-50% (80-100 proof) alcohol, honey and up to 50 different herbs.

It is a distant relative of the mieducha, a honey-made spirit popular in all Slavic countries and one of the basic ingredients of mead.

Recipe was created by Order of Saint Benedict monks at Mikołaj Krzysztof "Sierotka" Radziwiłł founded monastery in Niaśviž. Known in Poland and Lithuania at least since 16th century, it soon became popular among the szlachta of the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth. There are numerous recipes preserved to our times in countless szlachta diaries.

Its name comes from Old Polish noun krupy meaning grain. At times, spicy seasonings and herbs are added to flavour. The brand of the honey and the ratio of seasonings are key points for final taste of krupnik. A Lithuanian variant is called Krupkikas.

It is either served hot as mead or chilled as vodka. A specific sort of krupnik which contains more herbs and less honey is brewed by Karaims.

Krupnik is also the Polish name of a barley soup.

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See also