Krupnik (Honey liqueur)

Krupnik has no translation in english but is refered to as honey liqueur or "honeyed vodka" and sometimes misnomered as mead (mead is created by fermenting honey whereas krupnik is adding honey to grain alcohol). You may have seen a bottle of Krupnik at your local liquor store. However the tradition of making Krupnik is more of a "home brew" than mass manufacturing which allows you to experiment with different honeys, spices, and alcohol levels. Krupnik recipes date back to the middle ages (considered to be the oldest drink in Poland) and there are many many variations.

The krupnik I made tastes completely different than what you can find in a store: it is thicker, darker, and decidedly more "smooth." I look for a honey with darker color - honey color varies by the pollen bees use. The reason for this is darker honey typically (but not always) will have a more robust flavor. In particular, I look for flavor profiles of wildflower, tupelo, or orange blossoms which are typically only found in amber or dark honeys.

image from honey.com

Krupnik should have between 25-40% alcohol by volume but can be as high as 50%. To get higher ABV use vodka such as Absolute 100 (100 proof), Spiritus (151 proof), or Everclear (190 or 151 proof). I prefer a gentler flavor, so I use a combination of regular vodka (such as Luksusowa or Sobieski) and Spiritus.

Ingredients

• 1 cup honey
• 1 cup water
• 4 cloves
• 1/4 tsp fresh ground nutmeg
• 5 cinnamon sticks
• 1 split vanilla bean
• zest of 1/2 orange
• 2 cups vodka (or Spiritus)

Directions

1. In a medium saucepan, bring honey and water to a boil. Remove all foam and scum that comes to the surface. Boil for a few minutes.
2. Add cloves, nutmeg, cinnamon, vanilla bean, orange zest to saucepan, reduce heat, cover, and simmer for 10 minutes.
3. Bring back to a boil, cover, and remove from heat for thirty minutes.
4. Strain through cheese cloth, and bring liquid back to boil while slowly adding vodka.
5. Strain through coffee filter into a glass bottle. Store in a dark cool place for a minimum of 1 week.

Remember to have fun with your recipe and try new spices and different types of honey.

If you are making the Krupnik as a gift consider adding a peice of honeycomb into the bottle for a unique look - but make sure the liquid is completely cool. Honeycomb is made of wax and will melt into the liquid if warm. Gross.

Krupnik can be served hot or cold, but when serving hot cut the percentage of alcohol to roughly 20% ABV.

Note: To freshen a bottle of Krupnik that has been left to sit for several weeks, boil water and add approximately 1 ounce (30mL) of water for ever 500 mL. It dilutes the ABV but will brighten the spices and make a smoother drink.