Krupnik
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- Krupnikas (Krupnik in Polish) redirects here. For other uses, see Krupnik (disambiguation).
Krupnik, or Krupnikas as it is known in Lithuanian, 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 originated in the territories of present day Lithuania.
It is a distant relative of the mieducha, a honey-made spirit popular in all Slavic countries.
Legend has it that the recipe was created by the Benedictine monks at a monastery in Niaśviž which was founded by Mikołaj Krzysztof "Sierotka" Radziwiłł. 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. Krupnikas was also used as a common medicianal disinfectant to Polish soldiers in World War II.
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. It is either served hot or chilled. 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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