Other Miscellaneous Russian Recipes

French Toast with Jam Filling | Homemade Tvorog | Kisel / Berry Fruit Wine | Noodle Pies | Russian Tea

Who can think of Russia without remembering it is also the home of vodka or 'little water'. And no zakuski table is complete without a supply of chilled vodka.

Despite common belief, vodka did not originally come from potatoes. Russian vodka was first distilled from grape mashings. It wasn't until the surpluses in the 18th Century that pototoes were used. Vodka can be made from just about any fermentable plant material.

Second to vodka in popularity is tea or chai. Tea was introduced to Russia in the early 17th Century by the then Tzar's Asian ambassadors, after trips to China and Mongolia. Traditionally Russian tea was brewed in a teapot atop a 'samovar' - a large metal urn which is used to boil hot water.

When it is hot, Russians enjoy drinking Kvas, a low or non-alcoholic brew from wheat, rye and/or buckwheat, not too disimilar to beer. Another old summer favourite is kisel, made from seasonal berries, which when watered down makes a very refreshing summer drink. This was a very popular Russian drink prior to the introduction of carbonated soft drinks.