Polish Vodka

Poland claims vodka as its own, with a tradition going back centuries, distilled from rye, wheat or potato into clear spirits of real refinement, and into a world of flavoured versions. Zubrowka is scented with bison grass from the Bialowieza forest, others with honey, cherry or herbs, and it is drunk cold, in a small glass, often with food.

What's there

• Clear vodka - the refined rye and potato spirits, drunk cold.
• Zubrowka - the bison-grass vodka from the eastern forest.
• Flavoured vodkas - the honey, cherry and herbal versions.
• The vodka museum - the Warsaw museum of vodka's history.

When to go

Year-round; drunk cold in a small glass, traditionally with food and in company rather than alone. The Warsaw vodka museum offers a tasting and the story.

Before you go

It is strong spirit, so it is meant to be sipped cold with food and in moderation, in the Polish way, not knocked back carelessly. The flavoured versions are more approachable than the clear. Quality varies widely, so choose a good brand.

Nearby

Bars across Poland and the Warsaw vodka museum offer tastings.