Poles and Vodka - Where ever you go in Poland shops and supermarkets are likely to have on show bottles containing Wódka. Poles like their neighbours are passionate about their vodka. It has a long history as it was used for medicinal purposes back in the 8th century but the Slavs quickly realised that by taking the 40% proof concoction as a drink, it certainly had other benefits attached.

There are possible hundreds of different brands available but one of the most famous is Żubrówka, known in English as Bison Grass Vodka, is a dry, herb flavoured vodka that is distilled from rye and bottled at 40% alcohol by volume (80% proof). Its flavour is unique and is described as having woodruff, vanilla, coconut, and almond notes. It is often mixed with apple juice to create a cocktail called szarlotka or tatanka. Most poles will however, prefer their firewater straight.

Since the end of communism many more brands have come on the market infused with honey, lemon, juniper berries, peach and believe it or not, even cannabis.

Indeed, while on a recent trip to Krakow, I was offered by my host vodka with milk!

You will find that throughout most of eastern Europe there is a vodka etiquette to be followed. After your glass is filled, wait until the host has said a toast, then down the hatch in one go! do dna, as the Poles would say, no sipping allowed. As one is never enough this may be repeated a number of times (some Poles have no limits on this activity) with may be a morsel of cheese or bread or gherkin in between glasses.

Not surprising then that the drink that was originally created to aid health problems has now become a major headache in more ways than one. Poles themselves have said that a ‘strong head’ for alcohol is a defining characteristic of the true Pole. However, in reality many of them like to boast a little (ok a lot) about their drinking habits. You are likely to see many more foreigners acting like demented “March Hairs”, than Poles in some places in Poland.

Poles and Vodka - David's Travel Guides