Russian Sbiten: Hot Honey and Spice Drink with Ginger, Cinnamon and Clove for Cold Days

Combine the water, ginger, cinnamon sticks, cloves, cardamom, peppercorns, bay leaf and lemon peel in a medium saucepan.

Serves 4

Ingredients

• 4 cups (950 ml) water
• 1/3 cup (110 g) honey, plus more to taste
• 2 tablespoons blackberry or blackcurrant jam
• 1-inch piece fresh ginger, thinly sliced
• 2 cinnamon sticks
• 6 whole cloves
• 4 green cardamom pods, lightly crushed
• 5 whole black peppercorns
• 1 bay leaf
• 2 strips lemon peel, plus lemon slices for serving
• 1 sprig fresh mint or 1 teaspoon dried mint (optional)

Instructions

1. Combine the water, ginger, cinnamon sticks, cloves, cardamom, peppercorns, bay leaf and lemon peel in a medium saucepan.
2. Bring to a boil over medium-high heat, then reduce the heat to low, cover and simmer gently for 15 minutes so the spices fully infuse.
3. Remove the pan from the heat. Stir in the honey and jam until completely dissolved; adding the honey off the boil keeps its floral flavor intact.
4. Add the mint if using, cover again and let the sbiten steep for 10 minutes.
5. Taste and adjust: add a little more honey for sweetness or a squeeze of lemon juice to brighten it.
6. Strain through a fine sieve into warmed mugs or a teapot, discarding the spices.
7. Serve piping hot with a slice of lemon in each mug. Leftovers keep in the refrigerator for 3 days and can be gently reheated without boiling.
8. Sbiten is one of Russia's oldest drinks, recorded as far back as the 12th century and sold for hundreds of years by street vendors called sbitenshchiks, who carried it through winter markets in copper urns. Before tea arrived from China it was the hot drink of everyday life. Built on honey, spices and often a spoonful of jam, it is naturally caffeine-free and feels like a warm blanket on a cold, grey day.

Nutrition (estimated, per serving)

• Calories: 110 kcal
• Protein: 0g
• Fat: 0g
• Carbohydrates: 29g
• Fiber: 0g
• Sugar: 27g
• Sodium: 10mg