Ukrainian cuisine is famous for a variety of delicious dishes, but few know that it is also rich in aromatic and tasty liqueurs. Traditional Ukrainian beverages can suit every taste, and are made from fruit, vegetables, herbs, milk or honey, usually combining bitter and sweet tastes, along with wild herbs.
With the arrival of cold weather, the Kyiv Post picked out the best Kyiv eateries worth visiting for delicious, rare and warming traditional Ukrainian drinks.
Samogon Fish Bar
Samogon, which means “moonshine,” is an apt name for this place, as it boasts an impressive collection of traditional alcoholic drinks. It serves more than 10 types of liqueur, including the blackberry, plum, or sea buckthorn fragrant alcoholic extracts for Hr 30 per shot. Visitors to Samogon Fish Bar can also sample some kalhanivka liqueur, a traditional Cossack drink made of extract of Alpinia root, which is believed to have healing properties (Hr 30 per shot).
With its excellent location in Podil district, tasty Ukrainian national food, and of course the drinks, Samagon is a great place to catch up with friends, and is also an ideal place for a hen night or stag party.
25 Naberezhno-Khreshchatytska St. Open 12 p.m. – 12 a.m.
A man savors his meal in Spotykach, Ukrainian cuisine restaurant on Dec. 1. Spotykach offers a variety of berry liquors for reasonable prices. (Kostyantyn Chernichkin)
Spotykach restaurant
The restaurant is named after the traditional Ukrainian liquor spotykach, a strong vodka made with spices and herbs, whose name comes from a Ukrainian word that means “to stumble.” The place offers Ukrainian cuisine from the Soviet period, represented by meat dumplings (Hr 105), jellied rabbit and chicken (Hr 95), or a trademark Kyiv cake (Hr 155).
But its the tasty liquors that are the real attraction here, of course. The restaurant serves its trademark spotykach (Hr 30), along with kliukivka (cranberry liqueur), kalynivka (quelder rose liqueur) and buryachykha (beet root liqueur) – all for Hr 30 per shot. Those who want to taste something a little different should try marakuyivka (passion fruit liqueur), strawberry and lime liqueur, or currant and mint extracts for Hr 30 for a shot.
16 Volodymyrska St. Open daily 11 a.m. – 12 a.m.
Chorne Porosya pub
The Chorne Porosya (Black Piggy) has an extensive beer menu and it positions itself primarily as a beer pub. But this place is also worth a visit for those in the market for delicious national alcoholic drinks – the restaurant offers nearly 10 traditional liqueurs that it makes itself, including delicious ginger with honey, or cherry and black currant liqueurs (Hr 29). The pub’s menu offers a mix of Ukrainian and European cuisines.
8/14 Velyka Zhytomyrska St. Open daily 12 p.m. – 12 a.m.
Nalyvky zi Lvova
Those who prefer savoring a glass of a tasty homemade liqueur at home, or who are just looking for a memorable souvenir, should drop into “Nalyvky zi Lvova” (Liqueur from Lviv), the only specialized shop in Kyiv offering certified homemade liqueurs.
Overall “Nalyvky zi Lvova” offers more than 20 types of beverages of various strengths that will satisfy every taste. The strawberry, honey or orange liqueurs are great choices for those with sweet tooth. Those who prefer astringent or tart tastes can choose from a range of liqueurs made with wild herbs or apples. The prices of the liqueurs range between Hr 68 to Hr 168 per bottle.
“Nalyvky zi Lvova” shop Sky Mall shopping and entertainment center, 2 Henerala Vatutina Ave. Open daily 10 a.m. – 10 p.m. www.nalyvky.com
Cimes restaurant
Cimes, the Jewish cuisine restaurant located in Podil district offers its guests a combination of Jewish treats and Ukrainian beverages. It serves dishes made according to the old Jewish recipes, like forshmak (Hr 58), soup with chicken giblets (Hr 48), hummus (Hr 55) or poppy cakes with nuts (Hr 65).
The restaurant serves only kosher food. But Cimes guests are not limited in khrenovukha with honey tincture for Hr 30 per shot. One can also try tasty crimson, strawberry, blackcurrant or buckthorn liquors – each for Hr 20 per shot.
Cimes restaurant. 10/5 Sahaydachnoho St. Open 11 a.m. – 11 p.m.
