Polish Alcohol � � � � � � � � � � � �

Bottoms up with classy drinks at Woda Ognista (p.85)

4 Polish Alcohols You Have to Try

Poland’s national drink has many exciting variations for you to try… © Fabrizio Sciami

1. Żołądkowa Gorzka

Due to its very name, which translates to something like ‘Bitter Stomach Vodka,’ Żołądkowa Gorzka gives even the most infirm of health an excuse to drink under the guise of its medicinal properties� Though it comes in a variety of flavours, the original orange label (‘tradycyny’) is an aged, amber-coloured liquor flavoured with herbs and spices, Żołądkowa has a unique aroma and sweet spiced taste unlike anything you’re likely to have tried before�

2. Żubrówka

One of Poland’s most popular overseas vodka exports, Żubrówka - also known as Bison Grass Vodka - has been produced in Eastern Poland since the 16th century� Flavoured with a type of grass specific to the primeval Białowieża Forest (a blade of which appears in each bottle), Żubrówka is faint yellow in colour, with a mild fragrance of mown hay and a subtle taste which has been described as ‘floral’ or having traces of almond or vanilla� Delightfully smooth as it is on its own, Żubrówka is most commonly combined with apple juice – a refreshing concoction called a ‘tatanka’ or ‘szarlotka’ depending where you are�

3. Krupnik

Popular in Poland and Lithuania, Krupnik is a sweet liquor made from honey and a multitude of herbs� Buy a bottle for Mum – drinking booze doesn’t get any easier than this� In winter, hot krupnik is a popular defroster with hot water, lemon and mulling spices�

4. Miód Pitny

Mead, or ‘drinkable honey,’ preceded beer’s arrival in Poland and has remained a favourite since the Middle Ages� Since 2008, Polish meads have been protected under EU law as a traditional specialty� Distilled from honey, the drink comes in 4 strengths with Połtorak being the strongest (15-18%)�

Vodka Translator

Poles have been producing and drinking vodka since the early Middle Ages, distilling some of the best vodka blends available in the world� The most highly regarded clear Polish vodka brands must be Belvedere, Chopin, Luksusowa, Ostoya, Pan Tadeusz and Wyborowa, all of which you’ll find in any alcohol shop� While clear vodkas are generally reserved for giving away at weddings and mixing in cocktails, the real fun is in sampling Poland’s flavoured vodkas and nalewki - a large range of Polish liqueurs and aged tinctures made from vodka or neutral spirits and fruits, herbs and spices� Vodka shot & snack bars like Pijalnia Wódki on ul. Nowy Świat 19 (G-8) are a great place to try them� Here are just some of the notable varieties: Wiśniówka - cherry vodka Cytrynówka - lemon vodka Pigwówka - quince vodka Orzechówka - walnut vodka Piołunówka - wormwood liquor Wódka figowa - fig vodka Wódka śliwkowa - plum vodka Wódka gruszkowa - pear vodka

Warsaw’s Best Beer Gardens

Having to spend a few months every year freezing, it’s no surprise locals dive right into beer gardens as soon as Mr� Sun appears� There are many, but we have a few recommendations� If you’re in Warsaw for a short time, the main tourist trail, the Royal Route (p�30) leading to the Old Town (p�24), is jam-packed with outdoor seating and courtyard gardens - accessible for all budgets! One of our top choices are the Pavillions (Pawilony), a ramshackle collection of dive bars at ul. Nowy Świat 26 (G-7)� If beer gardens are less your thing, head down to the river� The Vistula Boulevards (p�44) on the left bank offers seasonal bars and deck chairs� On the other side, there are more beaches and bars, like the popular La Playa (G-4)� Nearby, ul. Francuska in the leafy Saska Kępa area (L-7) becomes a hive of activity with every bar, cafe and restaurant spilling out onto the streets with chairs and tables everywhere! For something 'alternative', mixing the best of the Night Market’s (p�81) street food, with bars and clubs with a circus ground flare, then head to one of our favourite new outdoor fun places: Lunapark (K-8)�

Bottoms up at The Alchemist Grill & Cocktail

Nightlife in Warsaw

There was a time not long ago when a bar in Warsaw was just a dull place to go and get drunk - that’s it. Though the concept of a bar as a social venue is still relatively new, the choice of modern venues - whether cool dive joints or sleek exclusive cocktail bars - is now immense. Go enjoy yourself and na zdrowie (cheers)!