What is Zubrowka?

In English Zubrowka is known as Bison Grass Vodka. This style of spirit is dry, herb, flavored, and distilled from rye. The standard alcohol content is 40%. What distinguishes Zubrowka from other flavored Vodkas is its unique flavor. There are hints of vanilla coconut, almond, and a trace of woodruff. The latter being sweetened bedstraw. This is a perennial plant that thrives throughout much of Europe. Lastly, Zubrowka adds just tincture of Bison Grass which gives the spirit its yellowish color. This type of grass flourishes in the Bialowieza Forest. A blade of this grass is traditionally placed in each bottle as a decoration to assure one that this is true Zubrowka.

Zubrowka has been actively produced since the 16^th century across the Polish – Lithuanian Commonwealth. However, the primary region of production lies today in the region of the Polish – Belarusian border. Zubrowka has historically been popular with the Szlachta (Polish nobility), as well as the peasantry. For those who have been following me for some time, don’t confuse Zubrowka with my favorite Vodka, Starka. This is a completely different style of spirit. Starka is also distilled from rye, it is lightly flavored with bits of apple and leaves. What makes Starka completely unique is that it is aged. I was first introduced to Starka many years ago by my friend, the renown ballet dancer and film star, Mikhail Baryshnikov. Typically I drink the 15 year old spirit, celebrate with the 25 year old spirit, and with Misha, we splurge on the 50 year old…. he can afford it.

Now I have digressed and will return to today’s featured spirit, Zubrowka. Since the 19^th century, celebrated Ukrainian Brandy producer, Shustov, has been at forefront of of Zubrowka production. In 1926 POLMOS (Polski Monopol Spirytusowy, Polish Spirits Monopoly), been producing Zubrowka in Brzesc nad Bugiem, which is known as Brest and is located in Belarus. POLMOS was instrumental in that they found a way to mass produce Zubrowka. This innovation then led to several other Central and Eastern European countries to develop and distill their own versions of this classic spirit.

With regard to serving suggestions, Zubrowka is preferred chilled. These days the Poles are fond of serving Zubrowka with apple juice. The cocktail is known as, “Tatanka,” which in the Lakota language is bison. In the USA this cocktail is known as a “Polish Kiss.” In the States it is also popular to serve Zubrowka with ginger ale or over vanilla ice cream.

In closing, I would like to add that I was recently introduced to a boutique distillery in Lviv, Ukraine. The company is called Lviv Zubrowka and we have been discussing a joint marketing venture, but that my friends is another story….