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. It's actually very simple to prepare and tastes a lot like fruity tea. Here's how to prepare this comforting drink.

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. [[Image:Sbiten.aspx_797.jpg|thumb]]
 * 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!

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.

Alternate Recipe 2

 * 1) Bring the water to a boil in a pot.
 * 2) Melt honey into the water.
 * 3) Add all other ingredients.
 * 4) Simmer for half an hour.
 * 5) Serve.

Tips

 * This is best served hot, but the drink can be refrigerated and served cold in the summer, or reheated for serving later.
 * You can make an alcoholic version by substituting a hearty red wine (like Cabernet Sauvignon) for water.

Things You'll Need

 * Large pot
 * Mixing spoon

Related Tips and Steps

 * How to Make Mead
 * How to Make Mulled Wine
 * How to Make Mulled Beer
 * How to Reliquefy Granulated Honey