Honey is great stuff: it's smooth and soothing, but still a little less cloying than sugar. While it is undeniably sweet, it still has a little mystery, particularly if you venture away from the milder clover and mesquite flavors.

While Krupnik (the Polish version) or Krupnikas (the Lithuanian version) is a year-round beverage, I particularly enjoy it in the autumn, when the rich spices tickle the nose and the heavy dollop of alcohol helps clear away the winter chill. Most honey liqueurs that I've tried have tended to hide or overwhelm the taste of honey, but this one lightly accents it. Best of all, the honey is great for comforting sore throats!


Medaus Krupnikas

1 tablespoon caraway seeds
10 cloves
10 whole allspice berries
3 sticks cinnamon
1 vanilla bean, split
A 4" piece of ginger, cut into 1/2" pieces
10 cardamom seeds
1/2 nutmeg seed
3 strips orange rind
3 strips lemon rind
A pinch of saffron
4 cups water
2 lbs. honey (you can use clover, but I like a richer flavor, like wildflower)
4 cups 190-proof grain alcohol

Crack the cardamom seeds and nutmeg. Boil them, along with all the other spices and rind strips, until the liquid is reduced by half. Strain out spices and set aside.

Bring the honey to a boil. Remove from heat and skim off foam. Pour the spice liquid into the honey and remove from heat. Move it far from the stove.

Slowly add alcohol. When finished, cover and return to low heat. Heat for 15 minutes, being careful to keep it from boiling or even simmering. Remove from heat and allow to sit overnight. In the morning, filter it through coffee filters and bottle.

Be sure to use multiple filters, as the krupnikas will probably clog them fairly quickly. Enjoy!