Nastoika or the Russian Bar Drink - Google Arts & Culture (2024)

Nastoikas by RustourismFederal Agency for Tourism

Prestigious establishments will use nastoikas to make co*cktails.

Nastoikas (tincture)

come from an old Russian tradition that has seen a revival in Russia’s contemporary bar culture. Almost any bar has an in-house distillery to match its identity.

Red nastoika by El Copitas BarFederal Agency for Tourism

The nastoika culture traces its origins to the 19th-century liqueur making. It was considered a matter of prestige to have a cellar that would contain a drink variety for each letter of the alphabet.

Table with drinks and snacks by Alexander AverinFederal Agency for Tourism

Nastoika with snack by RustourismFederal Agency for Tourism

Nastoikas based on polugar, a vodka ancestor, are also highly recommended.

Nastoika is usually vodka infused with fruits, berries, spices or roots that give the resulting beverage their colour, taste and aroma. Traditional varieties include pertsovka (pepper), khrenovukha (horseradish), and those with garden or forest berries: cranberry, lingonberry, raspberry, and blackcurrant.

Bar with nastoikas by RustourismFederal Agency for Tourism

The best way to try a nastoika is to visit a particularly Russian British-pub-meets-neighbourhood-bar location called “ryumochnaya”, where people go to have a heart-to-heart as well as a drink, without delicacy distractions.

The assortment of side dishes is usually large, but the main focus is always on traditional strong liquor such as vodka, nastoikas and polugars.

Bread wine by RustourismFederal Agency for Tourism

Polugars and bread wines are vodka predecessors. Unlike vodka, however, which is produced from neutral spirit and has no distinctive taste or aroma, polugars and bread wines are distillates preserving the taste of the cereals ...

... they were distilled from, such as malt, rye, or barley. Some varieties are flavoured with fruit, berries and spices: raspberry, cherry, pepper or juniper.

Yevgeniya Zarukina by El Copitas BarFederal Agency for Tourism

Yevegnia Zarukina, Bar Manager, El Copitas Bar

“I believe we are witnessing a rebirth of the traditional Russian distillates of quality vodka and polugar.By the way, we are releasing the Tselovalnik vodka that showcases Russian drinking culture and tradition in our country and beyond”.

Credits: Story

Сhief Сonsultant — Ekaterina Drozdova, restaurateur, gastronomic entrepreneur, food and social activist, Contributors— Anton Obrezchikov, Proximity Russia, Yevgeniya Zarukina, Denis Yershov, Artem Peruk

Credits: All media

The story featured may in some cases have been created by an independent third party and may not always represent the views of the institutions, listed below, who have supplied the content.

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Nastoika or the Russian Bar Drink - Google Arts & Culture (2024)

FAQs

What is the traditional Russian drink? ›

Almost all traditional Russian drinks are original and not found in other places. Sbiten, kvass, mead, and mors are traditional drinks that are unfortunately less popular today. Sbiten, for example, was popular until tea was introduced in Russia.

What is the Russian drinking culture? ›

Many people in Russia partake in an old tradition of drinking hard liquor in rounds of toasts. Many toasts are offered and it can become increasingly difficult to refuse. Often it is easier not to begin drinking than it is to stop drinking once the ritual has begun.

What is nastroyka? ›

Nastoika is usually vodka infused with fruits, berries, spices or roots that give the resulting beverage their colour, taste and aroma. Traditional varieties include pertsovka (pepper), khrenovukha (horseradish), and those with garden or forest berries: cranberry, lingonberry, raspberry, and blackcurrant.

What is Russia's national drink? ›

Russia: Kvass is a traditional fermented non-alcoholic beverage commonly made from rye bread, and while kvass is seen as the national non-alcoholic drink, it is vodka that most Russians identify as their national alcoholic beverage.

What is a strong alcoholic drink from Russia? ›

Yes, vodka is the most appreciated strong alcohol in Russia, but there are way more interesting things to say about this drink (even if you don't drink). First of all, “Vodka” comes from the Slavic word “Voda” (water) and can be translated by “l*ttle water”.

What is Russia's signature drink? ›

One of the must-try national Russian drinks is kvass! The ancient drink is made from buckwheat, wheat, rye bread, and water. From first sight, kvass might taste like a variation of soda; indeed, it's an excellent beverage during the summer. By the way, kvass can be a little alcoholic, so drivers, be aware!

Is alcoholism a big problem in Russia? ›

Increased alcoholism has become a serious problem for Russian society. In 2023, Russians purchased 2.3 billion liters of hard alcohol, surpassing the previously established record of 2.2 billion in 2022 (The Moscow Times, January 23).

Why is the drink called a black Russian? ›

The co*cktail owes its name to the use of vodka, a typical Russian spirit, and the blackness of the coffee liqueur.

What do Russian say before drinking? ›

Saying Cheers In 10 Languages
Spanish¡Salud!(sah-LOOD)
FrenchSanté !(sahn-TAY)
GermanProst!(prohst)
Swedish/Danish/NorwegianSkål!(skohl)
RussianЗа здоровье!(zah zdah-ROHV-yuh)
5 more rows

What drink is named after Putin? ›

Putinka (Russian: Путинка) is a brand of Russian vodka made by the state-owned Moscow Distillery Crystal company. Created in 2003 by Vinexem Brand Manager Stanislav Kaufman, the brand plays upon President Vladimir Putin's name.

What is Mother Russia drink? ›

Mother Russia Premium Vodka With Natural Flavors and Honey Added.

What is the most popular drink in Russia? ›

Beer was the most sold type of alcoholic beverage in Russia, at over 769 decaliters in 2023. Vodka ranked second by sales volume, which exceeded 91 million decaliters in sales in the latest period under consideration.

What is the staple drink in Russia? ›

The beverage most commonly associated with Russia is vodka. It is produced around the country and is often flavoured with herbs and spices.

Which alcohol is Russia notoriously known for? ›

​ Their answer is Vodka.

Is kvass alcoholic? ›

Usually, kvass contains not more than 1.5% of alcohol by volume, but if it stands for longer time, the concentration can become 2.5% or higher. Unlike beer, the kvass is generally considered to be a nonalcoholic beverage and is drunk by children of all ages without any limit.

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