It is a well-known fact that Russia is famous for its tasty traditional cuisine. Everyone who once tried borsch or blini fall in love with it forever. But today we a going to talk about traditional Russian drinks that you cannot miss out when traveling to Russia.
Vodka
It seems like vodka became a symbol of Russia! Truly this strong alcoholic beverage has conquered the whole world. There is no need to list the composition of it but we have an interesting emergence story.
The word “vodka” comes from “water” in Russian, which sounds like “voda”. The official day of vodka’s birth is 31 January 1865, when famous Russian scientist Dmitry Mendeleev defended his doctoral dissertation on "The combination of alcohol and water". But the alcohol itself was invented in XI century by Persian physician and reached Russia in 1386. In early XVI century Russia had had its first export experience, which as we already know was destined to conquer the world.
Kvas
Kvas – another traditional Russian drink made of rye flour, sugar, malt (barley or rye), yeast, bread kvas, lactic acid bacteria and water. It has been consumed as one of the most favorite drinks for centuries. Russians like its enjoyable sweet taste, natural composition and the ability to perfectly quench thirst. There also some recipes of dishes with kvas like “okroshka” – a salad of potato, eggs, cucumbers, sausage and greenery dressed with kvas.
In soviet Russia almost on every street of the cities in summer there were a lot of tanks, where people went with bottles to buy kvas. That was truly the main drink of the season. Now they are gone and a tourist can buy it almost in every supermarket.
Mors
This sweet drink is made of different berries (mostly of cherry, currants, cranberries, blackberries and wild cherry), water and sugar. Very healthy and delicious, mors is one of the most favorite drinks of Russians. It was firstly appeared in XV–XVI centuries and is considered as one of the oldest beverages in Russia. it is quite simple: berries are rubbed in non-oxidizing dish, boiled, filtered, then sugar is added in a hot beverage and pressed juice is mixed with cooled down drink. Someone prefers to add in the juice a slice of lemon, or orange zest.
Birch juice
Birch has always been integral part of Russian folk tales and songs. Its white slender trunk, twisting branches have always symbolized purity, goodness and spiritual beauty. The tree was seen by Russians as a living being, powerful, capable to carry out the desire. That is mostly because they believed in the miraculous properties of its juice, that it could banish disease from the body.
No doubt birch juice has a lot of vitamins. It has been proved that regular drinking of it will cause a tonic and restorative effect, remove drowsiness, depression, fatigue, you will feel fitter and more energetic. Moreover the drink tastes very good! Try it!
Varenets or ryazhenka
Varenets is a dairy drink produced from cow's milk melted joint lactic acid and alcoholic fermentation. Yes, sounds weird but believe us it is very tasty! Russians generally like sour milk drinks and it is very often to hear from someone who moved from Russia that they miss those drinks very much.
Varenets is also very healthy product: it improves appetite, the functioning of kidneys and digestive system. You can buy it in every Russian supermarket!
Acquaintance with the traditional national cuisine is an important part of every journey. That is why OLTA travel is so attentive to the selection of restaurants where tourists spend their dinnertime. We want to be sure that they will get the whole range of great impressions from Russia. Contact us to get the full tour program which will make your clients fall in love with our country!
| 4 | Drinks which you cannot miss out when travelling to Russia
