Football fans are famed for their love of beer.
But Ukraine has plenty of refreshing non-alcoholic drinks to enjoy in the warm June weather.
Kvas
A small barrel set in odd places in the streets, a queue of people waiting for brown liquid to be poured into plastic cups – this is how you spot a kvas-selling point.
An ancient fermented Slavic beverage, it was traditionally made out of fermented wheat or rye bread.
The real kvas has a yellowish-brown color and tastes, some say, like a mix of Coca-Cola and beer.
If it is served unfiltered, with the yeast in it, and contains a lot of vitamin B, which improves your mood, energy level and mental alertness.
Nowadays it’s mass produced, which means food dyes and other additives are thrown in the mix.
The best way to drink it is to purchase from street vendors, who usually sell beer as well.
Kvas is considered a non-alcoholic drink despite the fact that it can contain traces of alcohol – courtesy of the fermentation process.
Mors
This sour drink is usually made of cowberries and/or cranberries, and is a very good way to quench thirst.
It can sometimes be made of other berries, or a mix of berries, with added sugar.
These days, you can buy it in a package as most juice producers have their own versions of this drink.
Many prefer to drink it on its own, while others like to mix with alcohol to make cocktails.
Mixed with vodka, it’s sometimes referred to as Moo-Moo.
Compote
The word is clearly is of French origin, but many Ukrainians can’t imagine their summer without this sweet drink produced by boiling fruit in large volumes of water, with added sugar.
It can be made of apples, strawberries, sour cherries, gooseberries, peaches, apricots or any combination of any fruit and berries, depending on the season and one’s taste.
You can come across kompot in cheap eateries and expensive restaurants alike.
You might find it more or less delicious, but failing to try it would be a gastronomic crime.
Uzvar
Arguably even more common than compote, this drink is made all year round from dried fruit and berries – an ingenious traditional way of getting your vitamins all year round.
Its color is usually deep brown, and its taste can be a little bitter and absolutely unique.
If you fall in love with uzvar from the first sip, you’d better start digging into your family tree to see if there are any Ukrainian roots to be found.
Kysil
One of the oldest Slavic drinks, it has great dietary properties.
It can be fruit-based or milk-based, and is made with addition of starch and sugar that add a viscous silkiness to the drink.
It can be very runny or almost jelly-thick. It’s still common in the villages, but unfortunately losing popularity in cities.
