How to 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.

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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!

Method 1

Method 1 of 2:

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.