Poland

Żubrówka

zhoo-broof-ka - vodka with flavors derived from bison grass, from eastern poland.

Żołądkowa Gorzka

zho-wont-ko-va gosh-ka - vodka with "bitter" gorzka in the name, but sweet in taste. just like å»ubrã³wka, it's an unique polish product and definitely a must-try.

Krupnik

kroop-nik - honey and spices vodka, a traditional polish-lithuanian recipe very sweet. during winter, many bars sell grzany krupnik warm krupnik, where hot water, cinnamon, cloves, and citrus zest or slices are added.

Żytnia

zhit-nea - rye vodka

Wyborowa

vi-bo-ro-va - one of poland's most popular rye vodkas. this is also one of the most common exported brands. strong and pleasant.

Biała Dama

be-ah-wa dah-ma is not actually a vodka but a name given by winos to cheap rectified spirits of dubious origin, best avoided if you like your eyesight the way it is.

Luksusowa

look-sus-oh-vah "luxurious" - another popular brand, and a common export along with wyborowa.

Starka

"old" - a vodka traditionally aged for years in oak casks. of lithuanian origin.

Poland is on the border of European "vodka" and "beer culture". Poles enjoy alcoholic drinks but they drink less than the European average. You can buy beer, vodka and wine. Although Poland is known as the birthplace of vodka, local beer seems to have much more appeal to many Poles. Another traditional alcoholic beverage is mead. Polish liqueurs and nalewka alcoholic tincture are a must.

Officially, in order to buy alcohol one should be over 18 years old and be able to prove it with a valid ID which is strictly enforced.

beer

Poland's brewery tradition began in the Middle Ages. Today Poland is one of top beer countries in Europe.

Although not well known internationally, Poland traditionally sports some of the best pilsner-type lagers worldwide. The most common big brands include:

Żywiec pronounced ZHIV-y-ets

Tyskie pronounced TIS-kye

Okocim pronounced oh-KO-cheem

Lech pronounced LEH

Warka pronounced VAR-kah

Łomża pronounced Uom-zha

Micro-breweries and gastro-pubs are on the rise, in particular in the larger cities, and many delicatessen or supermarkets carry smaller brands, including hand-crafted beers of many types.

water

Drinking water with a meal is not a Polish tradition; having a tea or coffee afterwards is much more common. If you want water with a meal, you might need to ask for it - and you will usually get a choice of carbonated gazowana or still niegazowana bottled water, rather than a glass of tap water. As a result water is never free, and is pretty expensive too compared to the average price of a meal about 4zl for one glass. Beware that even "still" bottled water, while not visibly bubbly, will still contain some carbon dioxide.

Carbonated mineral waters are popular, and several kinds are available. Poland was known for its mineral water health spas pijalnie wód in the 19th century, and the tradition remains strong - you can find many carbonated waters that are naturally rich in minerals and salts. You can also travel to the spas such as Szczawnica or Krynica, which are still operational.

Opinions regarding the safety of tap water vary: odds are it's OK, but most residents opt to boil or filter it anyway.

tea and coffee

Throw stereotypes out the door. For Poles, one of the most important staples to quench their thirst is not wódka or beer, but rather tea and coffee.

When ordering a coffee, you'll find that it is treated with respect reminiscent of Vienna, rather than, say, New York. Which is to say: you'll get a fresh cup prepared one serving at a time, with table service that assumes you'll sit down for a while to enjoy it. Mass-produced to-go coffee remains highly unpopular, although chains such as Coffee Heaven have been making inroads. Curiously, there are still only a few Starbucks shops in the whole country.

Ordering a tea, on the other hand, will usually get you a cup or kettle of hot water, and a tea bag on the side, so that the customer can put together a tea that's as strong or as weak as they like. This is not uncommon in continental Europe, but may require some adjustment for visitors. Tea houses with large selection of good quality teas and a relaxing atmosphere are gaining popularity.

For the most part, a good coffee can be had for 5 - 10 zł a cup, while a cup of tea can be purchased for the same, unless you happen to order a small kettle, in which case you'll probably pay something between 20 - 30 zł.

cocktails

Poles are very keen on beer and vodka, and you'll find that cocktails are often expensive but can be found in most bars in most major cities.