Each nation has symbols by which they are recognized throughout the world. And this applies to all areas of life: cooking, clothing, dancing and even alcohol. And if Russia is famous all over the world for its high-quality vodka, then the alcohol symbol of Belarus is rightfully considered krambambula. This drink is so interesting and unusual that you need to know more about it.
What is krambambula?
Behind this unusual ear for hearing lies the national Belarusian alcoholic drink, which is based on ethyl alcohol or vodka infused with honey and a mixture of herbs.
Krambambuly is a drink whose recipe is not strict, and everyone who cooks it has the opportunity to adjust the taste. Honey in the tincture gives a sweet, unique flavor and color. A set of herbs and spices is usually used standard, changes in taste can be achieved by changing the ratio of some of them.
Transparent consistency, moderate strength and a honey tint - this is how a good krambambula should look. The drink, the photo of which is posted below, is the famous Belarusian tincture.
A bit of history
This alcoholic drink is adequately aged - its history goes back more than three centuries. The first mentions of krambambula in the annals date back to the 18th century.
In those days, it was believed that krambambula was the drink of the rich and merchants. Ordinary people, it was not available. The thing is that for the preparation of this tincture, in addition to honey, a large number of spices and spices are used. And at the beginning of the eighteenth century, their price was equal to the cost of furs and gold. That is why kramambulya came out truly "golden".
The tincture owes its unusual name to its historical roots. In those days, when the recipe was invented, the territory of modern Belarus was part of the Principality of Lithuania. It was there that the German Krambambuli liquor was brought from Danzig, from which they borrowed the name for the national drink.
Features of use
Traditionally, krambambula is considered to be a drink that is served in a heated form. The temperature of the tincture should be about 37-40 degrees. It is in this form that the aroma of herbs and spices is revealed in the best way, and the honey taste makes the bitterness of alcohol almost imperceptible.
But over time, tincture gained popularity in the cold. Chilled kramambambula - a great alternative to vodka or cognac. It is much softer and leaves a pleasant aftertaste.
To serve the tincture in cold form, you need to cool it to a minimum of 14 degrees and pour it into glasses.
Recipe
If it is not possible to visit the hospitable Belarus and taste a drink in its historical homeland, then you can prepare it at home.
- To prepare krambambuli in a clean pan you need to pour 500 ml of water and 500 ml of vodka. In the resulting mixture, add 2 sticks of cinnamon, 1 pinch of nutmeg, 4-5 peas of pepper and 4-6 branches of dried cloves, mix and simmer for 10 minutes.
- After this time, the fire must be turned off, cover the pan with a lid and let the mixture cool to a temperature of 55 degrees.
- The next step is to add 6 tablespoons of honey and another 500 ml of vodka. All together you need to mix thoroughly, cover again and let it brew for 10-15 minutes.
- After this, the resulting drink needs to be filtered. To do this, it is best to use clean gauze, folded in several layers. Through such a filter, it is necessary to pour the tincture into a glass jar and tightly close it with a lid.
- Now the turn of the insistence stage has come: the jar with the future krambambule should be put in a cool dark place where there is no access to direct sunlight. A pantry or kitchen cabinet is perfect. In order for the mixture to infuse, it will take 10 to 14 days. Before use, the drink must be filtered again, pouring into a glass container for storage.
Subtleties and nuances of the recipe
Krambambula - a drink, reviews of which are diametrically opposed: both enthusiastic and negative. Consumers respond positively to the mild taste and pleasant aroma of the drink. Negative impressions of the tincture can be caused by improper preparation, the result of which will be its spoiled taste.
To prepare the tincture, it is best to take bottled mineral water without gas. This will ensure that plain water does not spoil the taste of the finished product.
For the alcohol component you need not skimp and purchase high-quality vodka. In no case should you replace it with moonshine - this can negatively affect not only the taste of the drink, but also on how the krambambula will look. The drink should be transparent, amber-honey.
Honey is best added floral or lime. Buckwheat honey is more specific and suitable for those who love it.
The ratio of spices in the recipe can be adjusted to your taste during the tasting process. Caution should be exercised only with dried cloves - its maximum amount should not exceed 6 branches.
The traditional Belarusian tincture of krambambul is not a very strong alcoholic drink with an unusual taste. It is very easy to cook it yourself at home and it is pleasant to surprise your guests.